IOC Seeking Answers in PyeongChang

(ATR) PyeongChang 2018 will explain its vision to the IOC this week.

A fourteen-member IOC delegation led by Gunilla Lindberg will tour Olympic venues on Jan. 15 and discuss updates to the Games plan with PyeongChang 2018 leadership on Jan. 16.

Dubbed a "project review," the IOC will seek assurances on final venue plans, and that the OCOG is still working diligently to attract sponsors for the Games.

PyeongChang 2018 had a difficult 2014 with a change in leadership, lack of sponsors and uncertainty regarding the Games venue plans.

Korean Airlines chairman Yang Ho Cho took over the operation as president in July, and a government audit in December revealed that the previous PyeongChang Organizing Committee (POCOG) leadership was dependent on government loans due to lack of sponsors.

"We will make our point clear to them to show our commitment to the Games," a POCOG official told the Korea Times about the project review.

"There isn't a specific session for discussing sharing the event on their itinerary."

PyeongChang has had to clarify its venue plans over the coming months with the Olympic Stadium being finalized in mid-December. The OCOG has emphatically stated that venues will not be moved out of Gangwon Province despite allowances from the Olympic Agenda 2020 reform.

The organizing committee released names for its Olympic venues on Jan. 2with clusters around the Alpensia ski resort, the Yongpyong Resort, and a final "coastal cluster" in Gangneung city.

Earlier this month, local newspaper Hankyoreh reported that only one venue, Kwandong Hockey Center, under construction for the Games had a permanent legacy plan.

On Jan. 5 Lindberg told Around the Rings that the state of sponsors for the 2018 Games is "improving," and will be discussed at the review.

Lindberg refrained from commenting on the review, citing a preference to wait until it is completed before speaking.

Written by Aaron Bauer

20 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics is AroundTheRings.com, for subscribers only.