PYEONGCHANG 2018: Two hundred media representatives from around the globe are in PyeongChang, South Korea, for a briefing from the organisers of the 2018 Winter Olympic Games.

Different newspaper organisations are represented along with press and photographic agencies, national Olympic committees and experts from the International Olympic Committee.

The President of the Pyeongchang Organising Committee (POCOG), Mr Heebeom Lee, opened proceedings saying “the Games will stimulate the economy and create jobs across the region. Pyeongchang will create a passion for winter sports in Asia.

“Winter sports will be further boosted in Asia when Beijing hosts the next Winter Olympic Games in 2022”.

Some world cup alpine events have already been held in Pyeongchang and 26 Test events will be staged before April 2017.

Mr Lee promised that the Organising Committee would deliver the venues on time and ensure the Games are “an outstanding success”.

Pyeongchang will be the first Games in South Korea since the Summer Games in Seoul in 1988.

The organisers are building a high speed rail line from Seoul to Pyeongchang which will bring competitors and spectators to the Games in one hour. At present the area is a four hour drive from Seoul.

The high speed rail line is one of the legacies for the Games.

Mike Tancred
olympics.com.au