'Why PyeongChang? The Best
Place for the Best Games'

PyeongChang's Bid for 2014 Winter Olympics Pitches in with Public Support

PyeongChang's bid to win the right to host the 2014 Olympic Winter Games is entering the home stretch in the bidding race with the government and the general public's rising support.
Representatives from several walks of life converged in front of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism Building on the Sejongno Boulevard in downtown Seoul on May 15 to participate in a ceremony to light an (LED) light-emitting diode sign for praying for PyeongChang's successful bidding for the Olympic Games. Among about 300 people in attendance were Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, Minister of Culture and Tourism Kim Jong-min, and Han Seung-soo, chairman of the 2014 PyeongChang Olympic Bid Committee. The IOC Session, slated for July 5 this year in Guatemala City, will decide the host city of the 2014 Olympic Winter Games.
Under the catchphrase "Why PyeongChang? The Best Place for the Best Games"civic organizations across the nation has accelerated their efforts to publicize PyeongChang's bid for becoming the host city of the 2914 Olympic Winter Games.
2014 PyeongChang Olympic Bid Committee Chairman Han told YTN, "The likes of CNN, BBC World Sports and EuroSports have been carrying commercials (on the 2014 Olympic candidate city, PyeognChang, Bid Committee Chairman, executive chairman and bid committee members are strengthening publicity activities though major news organizations, and Korea's two IOC members are contacting other IOC members to pitch for PyeongChang's bid."President Roh Moo-hyun invited 2014 PyeongChang Bid Committee Chairman Han, IOC members Lee Kun-hee and Park Yong-sung to the presidential office, Cheong Wa Dae on May 16 and give them his support and encouragement.
A variety of events for praying for PyeongChang's successful bidding, including fashions shows, concerts and walkathons, will take place across the nation.
On May 16, an event for publicizing PyeongChang's bid to foreign diplomats staying in Korea was held in Gyeongbok Palace in downtown Seoul,
whole a fashion show by Andre Kim was presented at the Gangneung Indoor Integrated Gymnasium.
The 2014 PyeongChang Olympic Bid Committee, armed with an updated rationale and implementation plans built on the lesson PyeongChang learned from his first bid, is making seamless preparations for an upcoming appraisal by the IOC Evaluation Committee.
The planned Ski jump course, to used for the headquarters and spectators'seats for the 2014 Olympics, has begun to take shape. The construction process stands at 17 percent, and the project is scheduled to be dedicated for the late October 2008. Projects to remodel cross-country and biathlon courses are under way with the process going forward at 18 percent and 27 percent, respectively.
Officials sports at the 2014 PyeongChang Olympic Bid Committee, said the construction of the remaining 11 Olympic sports game stadiums will be launched as soon as PyeongChang is warded the right to host the 2014 Olympics.
PyeongChang, then apparently an underdog,
stunned the world by making an impressive showing in an initial vote by the IOC members at their July 2003 Annual Meeting in Prague to select the host of the 2010 Games. The Korean candidate city led the first round with 51 votes against 40 for Vancouver, Canada, and 16 for the Austrian city of Salzburg. But in the second-round play-off, PyeongChang lost to Vancouver by a razor-slim margin of 56-53. PyeongChang has thrown its hat in another race to gain the right to host the 2014 Winter Olympic Games. PyeongChang is vying with Salzburg and Sochi of Russia to become the host city of the 2014 Olympic Winter Games.
"Heavenly Blessed Land": Pristine nature with mountains and the sea
PyeongChang, with a population of 50,000, boasts breathtakingly attractive natural beauty and an ideal environment for winter sports. With ski resorts surrounded by snow-covered mountains, overlooking the clear blue sea, all venues of PyeongChang offer optimal conditions for hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
Just 25minutes away from PyeongChang, surrounded by mountains, lakes and the East Sea is Gangneung. Best representing Korea's tradition and culture, this city with population of 300,000, boasts cultural traditions and historical sites. One of which was designated as UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage.
Well-established infrastructure of transport network & accommodation
PyeongChang offers a well-developed transport network. Venues and Olympic Villages are located within 10 minutes.
In addition, the newly built railway connecting the major cities of Seoul, Wonju, and Gangneung; the second Yeongdong Expressway to be completed by 2013 and existing national roads will complete the efficient and effective three-tiered transport network system.
Surpassing the IOC's requirements of 22,800, PyeongChang's existing 56,000 hotel and condominium provide a variety of accommodation styles to meet the needs and preferences of guests. By 2014, additional 14,500 rooms will be built, fully accommodating the Olympic Family.
With a total investment of 1.3 billion USD, construction began in October 2006 for the Grand Olympic Complex named the Alpensia Resort. The Complex will house the Olympic Stadium and Ski Jumping Venue as well as the venues for Biathlon, Cross Country skiing and sliding events. It will also include the IOC Hotel, Media Village, IBC/MPC, and other accommodations.
This new state-of-the-art Complex will also be used for the Paralympic Winter Games.
"Athletes-First Games"
All venues are within 30 minutes a most compact and unprecedented concept
A two-cluster concept with snow sports in PyeongChang and ice sports in Gangneung
Venues will be within 10 minutes from Olympic Villages for the benefit of 90% of the athletes.
"Already existing Venues"8 ski resorts are located in and around PyeongChang.
6 of the 13 venues are already in use
3 venues are under construction
PyeongChang will showcase an unprecedented Games operational system and environmentally-friendly Games.
With its leading Information Technology, Korea will create a "Ubiquitous Olympics, the first-ever in Games history. This "Ubiquitous"system will allow the Olympic Family to personally experience the exchange and communication of Games related information any time and any place.
PyeongChang will do its utmost to realize an environmentally-friendly Games through its New Green Plan - a plan which takes full advantage of environmentally- friendly materials, natural energy resources and which preserves the breathtakingly attractive beauty of the natural environment.
ith warm hospitality and an Experienced Host of international sporting events
Korea successfully hosted 1988 Seoul Olympics, 1999 Winter Asian Games, 1999 IOC Session, 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan, 2006 ANOC General Assembly, FIS World Cup (4 times), ISU Short Track Speed Skating World Cup and Championships (5 times), 2006 IPC Alpine Skiing World Cup, 2007 Snowboard World Cup.
In addition, PyeongChang has been selected to host: 2008 IBU Biathlon World Cup; 2008 ISU Short Track International Championships; 2009 Women's WCF World Championships; 2009 IBU Biathlon World Championships; and 2009 FIS Snowboard World Championships.
Based on this proven track record of successful organization, PyeongChang is ready to offer warm Korean hospitality for the best Games ever.
PyeongChang offers a unique vision and convincing justification to leave a great legacy through the Games.
The expansion of winter sports across Asia.
Asia has a tremendous potential for development of winter sports and the winter sports industry. Asia has recently experienced a remarkably heightened interest in winter sports, and its winter sports population is rapidly increasing.
The awarding of the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games to PyeongChang will not only promote winter sports but also further develop the winter sports industry for the 4 billion people of Asia. The 2014 PyeongChang Games will provide the "light of opportunity"for the expansion of winter sports across Asia and beyond.
Given the fact that Olympic Winter Games were held in Salt Lake City, United States (2002) and Torino, Italy (2006) and will be held in Vancouver, Canada (2010), PyeongChang in Asia sincerely hopes to promote winter sports through the 2014 Games.
The Games for the Next Generation.
As a promise to the IOC during its previous bid for the 2010 Games, PyeongChang started the Dream Program. With the goal of promoting the popularity of winter sports throughout the world since 2004, the Dream Program has invited future young athletes from countries with little or no winter sports mainly due to climate conditions. (A great achievement Three Dream Program participants have been selected as their national team athletes)
The Dream Program will be diversified and enhanced with increased participation from 2011. As its efforts to promote winter sports for the next generation, PyeongChang will organize a "World Youth Winter Sports Festival"every 4 years, starting from 2015.
True realization of Peace and Harmony
PyeongChang is located in Gangwon Province, the only province divided between two Koreas. The citizens of Gangwon, the only divided province between two Koreas, aspire to "remove the barbed wire"separating two Koreas, thus making it a starting point for reunification. During an official visit to North Korea in November 2006, Mr. Jin-sun KIM, Governor of Gangwon Province, reached an agreement of cooperation and support for PyeongChang's bid for the 2014 Games with Mr. Jae-Dok MUN, President of NOC of DPR Korea.
If the Olympic Games which is the symbol of peace are held in Gangwon Province, it will echo the message of peace and harmony and remain a symbol of uniting us, and leaving a great legacy behind. The Olympic Movement will be crowned with such success. PyeongChang sincerely hopes the entire Olympic Movement would join and contribute to this historic landmark
Passionate support from Korean people and government
The Korean government and the National Assembly have affirmed that the bid for the 2014 PyeongChang Games was designated as a "Top-Priority National Agenda"and are extending fullest support including the construction of a high-speed railroad and competition venues. In addition to existing transport network and competition venues, a total of $6.5 billion budget is to be allocated for upgrading and renovation work of high-speed railway, an expressway and venues.
The aspiration of the entire Korean people, including 120,000-member supporter-group DongSaMo, to host the most successful the 2014 Games in PyeongChang is running high. A local opinion poll, conducted in November 2006 showed that 96 percent of residents in PyeongChang area were supportive of the bid, while those nationwide, 91.6% nw

President Roh Moo-hyun raises his hands together IOC members Lee Kun-hee and Park Yong-sung as well as 2014 PyeongChang Olympic Bid Committee officials at a meeting at Cheong Wa Dae on May 16 to show solidarity for PyeongChang's successful bid.

PyeongChang citizens and DongSaMo volunteers group chant for support for PyeongChang’s successful bid for becoming the host city of the 2014 Olympic Winter Games.

A ceremony for lighting an LED sign for bidding for PyeongChang’s bidding for the 2014 Olympic Winter Games is held in front of the MCT building on May 15.