Lillehammer shares secret of success
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Organizer advises PyeongChang to add enthusiasm
Kim Yu-na applauds at the International Media Forum for the Successful Delivery of the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics at the 63 Convention Center, Seoul, Thursday. / Yonhap
By Nam Hyun-woo
The former chairman of the Lillehammer Olympics organizing committee has stressed the importance of enthusiasm and smiling in the successful staging of the 2018 PyeongChang Olympic Games, during an international media forum Thursday.
“It is a question about how to show the world the sentiment and the feelings of Koreans,” Gerhard Heiberg told The Korea Times on the sidelines of the International Sports Media Forum for the Successful Delivery of the 2018 Games at the 63 Convention Center in Seoul. “The staffers, volunteers and other relevant officials should know that they have to smile for 17 days, 24 hours a day, and display enthusiasm for the Games.”
Unlike domestic views focusing on physical details, such as constructing venues, the 1994 Games chief organizer said that it was the cheapest way to bring about a successful Games.
“When I was the chairman of the Lillehammer organizing committee, I told them one thing: 'Smile 24 hours for 17 days.' It's important to remember the Olympic Games is not about money, business or industry, but about having fun,” he said.
The Winter Olympics will come to Korea in the alpine town of PyeongChang in some 1,000 days. During the forum, Heiberg asked the PyeongChang organizers not to ignore the importance of those values during the 17-day run from Feb. 9, 2018.
“Their smiles will be presented to almost 3 billion people watching television,” he said. “By that, it will be possible to show the world that people are having fun in Korea and enjoying what they are doing, as well as letting them know the Olympics is something really special.”
Along with Heiberg, who is also an International Olympic Committee (IOC) member, International Sports Press Association (AIPS) President Gianni Merlo and Vancouver Olympic gold medalist Kim Yu-na were present at the forum co-hosted by the Korea Sports Press Union (KSPU) and the AIPS.
Kim called for increased national interest for the Games, stressing it will be the key to the successful delivery of the first Winter Olympics on Korean soil.
“The Olympics will come to Korea within some 1,000 days, but it is still hard to say the preparations are going smoothly and perfectly,” said KSPU President Kim Kyung-ho. “So we came to consider how Korea should prepare the Games and what we should present to the world. With the knowledge and experience of experts in the global winter sports community, the forum will hopefully contribute to the success of the PyeongChang Games.”