Anchor: The top organizer of the 2018 Winter Games in Pyeongchang has vowed to leave a successful footprint in the history of the Olympics during a World Press Briefing on Tuesday. The organizing committee said that the Pyeongchang Games would mark a significant turning point in the advancement of winter activities in Asia.
Our Bae Joo-yon has more.
Report: The organizing committee for the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics has vowed a successful event come 2018 when the city plays host to the Games.
Lee Hee-beom, head of the organizing committee, issued the pledge on Tuesday during the World Press Briefing held at the Alpensia Convention Center in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province.
The briefing, held to explain press operation plans, was attended by media firms that will cover the upcoming Games and related International Olympic Committee officials.
Lee said that the Pyeongchang Games will leave a successful footprint" in the history of the Olympics. Gangwon Province Governor Choi Moon-soon, on his part, promised full support on behalf of Gangwon for the success of the games.
Lee said the organizing committee is moving on to the operating stage from the planning stage, citing that test events in the alpine skiing, freestyle skiing and snowboarding venues earlier this year were successful. He said that from late this year through next April, the committee will carry out 26 more test events.
While introducing a list of five themes including economy, culture, environment, peace and IT, the head organizer said the games will feature not only South Korea's traditional culture but also carry modern day characteristics and high-tech aspects.
He also said the event will become an Olympics that will produce maximum effects with the least amount of costs.
Claiming that the Pyeongchang Games would mark a significant turning point in the advancement of winter activities in Asia, he expressed confidence that the city and Gangwon Province will be reborn as a mecca of winter sports.
Governor Choi, meanwhile, said the word Pyeongchang means peace and prosperity. He said the name is meant for peace of the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia as he stressed that his province is actively preparing for the Olympics.
Bae Joo-yon, KBS World Radio News.
Source: KBS World Radio
