Groundbreaking Set for PyeongChang Speedskating Venue

(ATR) Groundbreaking is scheduled for next week at the site of the next Olympic speedskating venue.

PyeongChang 2018 chief Yang-ho Cho made the announcement at his press conference on Monday.

"We will closely cooperation with the Gangwon provincial government to ensure that a test event will take place in February 2017," Cho said at his first press conference since assuming the POCOG chair in July.

Cho called the bidding process on the rink "urgent" and said construction has been "delayed due to controversy."

The rink will seat 8,000 and cost about 131.1 billion won, or $12.4 million. Debate on the facility had centered around whether to use it as a water park after the Games. It will instead be dismantled.

"Successful hosting of the PyeongChang Olympics is a major national agenda," said Cho, according to news agency Donga. "We do not have time to fight each other and engage in emotional conflict. The government, the Gangwon provincial government, and the organizing committee will unite to step up preparations for the event."

Cho also announced the addition to the POCOG staff. Joon-ha Lee is the new vice chairman for operation after serving as secretary general of the Korean Professional Football League. Lee will oversee marketing, competition management and media management affairs for PyeongChang 2018.

Written by Nick Devlin

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