PyeongChang Victory Will Wake Up Asia’s Winter Sports Tiger

A victory for the Korean resort of Pyeongchang to host the 2014 Winter Games would arouse the huge winter sports potential in Asia claimed bid executive president Governor Kim Jin-sun on Monday.

The Governor of Gangwon Province added that winning for the Koreans - runners-up last time to Vancouver - would also prove a strong weapon in the pursuit of peace between the two Koreas, who are still technically at war despite the truce ending the 1950-53 war.

Pyeongchang are competing against the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi - bidding to become the first Russian host of the Games - and Salzburg, the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who were third last time.

"Asia is relatively underdeveloped when it comes to winter sports but it has great potential," said the Governor.

"The Pyeongchang Games would awaken this potential...this industry in Asia," he added.

Kim said that it pained him that he was governor of the only divided province in Korea and saw winning the Games as resolving this problem.

"The Gangwon provonce is the only divided province between North and South using the same name," he said.

"Sport has always been beyond politics and can play a role when politics cannot. The 2014 Pyeongchang Games will diffuse tension paving the way for a unified Korea."

He expressed his delight that North Korea was fully behind their bid.

"North Korea has expressed its support for the bid and I truly hope to bring these dreams to the world by hosting the 2014 Games in Pyeongchang," he said.

Han Seung-Soo, chairman of the bid, said that this time around compared to the previous bid they had made significant improvements.

"Since then (the first bid) we have made marked improvement to our original plans," saidHan, who is a former Foreign Minister and ambassador to the United Nations.

"These improvements include compactness of venues, the construction of Olympic complex, more experience in hosting winter sports events and running the dream programme," he added, referring to a programme that pays for poor children from all around the world to come to Pyeongchang and enjoy the winter sports.

Han said that another big difference was that Korea had become used to hosting World Cup events since the first bid.

"We have considerably more experience in hosting winter sports events, more than 50 in recent years," said Han, who has also received an honorary knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II.

"We have also been awarded the 2009 biathlon and snowboard world championships.

"The IOC has recognised our improvement... and we are humbly grateful."

Han, who admitted that the highly complimentary IOC Evaluation Commission Report last month had been like a girl receiving a marriage proposal she could not turn down, said there was no question the whole country was behind it.

"There is support on all levels including ruling and opposition parties," said Han.

"What you see is the entire nation backing the bid."

(AFP)