Gangwon Governor Kim Jin-sun, left, and PyeongChang hope to overcome their past two bid setbacks by hosting the 2018 Winter Olympics.
/ Korea Times File |
Busan Tackles PyeongChang's Third Olympic Attempt
By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
PyeongChang is expected to face another hard-fought race in its third campaign for the 2018 Winter Olympics.
But even before its bid gets final approval from the Korean Olympic Committee (KOC), the city, which is 180 kilometers east of Seoul in Gangwon Province, has encountered an unforeseen antagonist: Busan, which is trying to host the 2020 Summer Olympics.
Last week, the southern port city metropolis placed a hurdle in the way of PyeongChang's third attempt at netting the games in a press conference in Seoul.
``Busan got the KOC nod in its bid for the 2008 Summer Olympics in 1997,'' Busan Mayor Hur Nam-sik said.
``But because the government favored the Winter Olympics, Busan gave way to PyeongChang.
``Now, it has failed in the past two bids, so we are campaigning on the back of passionate support from Busan citizens.''
Busan Mayor Hur Nam-sik and the city want to bid for the 2020 Summer Olympics.
/ Korea Times File |
Busan is the second largest city in Korea and has held many international events, such as the Asian Games in 2002, the official 2002 World Cup Draw and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in 2005.
In accordance with the schedule of the International Olympics Committee (IOC), the KOC completed a two-day inspection of PyeongChang on April 6 and 7.
``It is not fair to inspect PyeongChang first, even though we still have time to be evaluated,'' he said.
The application deadline for the 2018 Winter Olympics is Oct. 15.
``I do not mean to put a damper on PyeongChang's Olympic bid, but we want the KOC and the government to judge the two sides fairly. After that, we will accept any decision.
``We want a public hearing.''
But PyeongChang appears to be in a position where it need not respond to Busan's plea.
``We do not mind whether Busan hosts the Summer Games or not,'' said Han Man-soo, the director general of Gangwon International Sports Committee.
``And the IOC will make the schedule for the 2020 event in September 2011, so Busan can prepare its bid after PyeongChang is done.''
Despite Busan's appeal, the KOC appears to be siding with PyeongChang.
New KOC head Park Yong-sung promised support for its third bid. The city lost to Vancouver, Canada, and Sochi, Russia, respectively, in the votes for the 2010 and 2014 Games, although it led the first round in both cases.
``PyeongChang is well prepared to host the Olympics. I will back PyeongChang if it is officially confirmed as South Korea's candidate,'' the 68-year-old former IOC member said in March.
``The process to decide the host city of 2018 Winter Olympics has not yet started and the decision is due in July 2011. I will do my best until the day my term ends in January 2013.''
Shin Park-jae, the head of the KOC evaluation committee, had a high opinion of PyeongChang, saying, ``It is surprising to see that it has improved so much better than before.''
``Despite bitter setbacks, we should try again to host the Winter Olympics for Korea, not just Gangwon Province.''
Responding to Busan's cries for fairness, Shin, 64, said, ``The Winter Olympics are different from the Summer Games.''
ksw@koreatimes.co.kr
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