IOC Pushes PyeongChang to Expedite Olympic Preps

(ATR)Work harder, the IOC tells PyeongChang 2018.

The IOC approved the venue masterplans for the 2018 Olympics at the fourth project review on Jan. 15 - 16. Although Olympic Agenda 2020 recommendations gave POCOG the opportunity to hold events outside of the host city, organizers chose to remain true to their original plans to only have venues in PyeongChang and Gangneung.

The project review was attended by organizers and fourteen IOC staff members. The group discussed bid plans and toured venue sites in the region, including the Gangneung Ice Arena, the Gyeongpo Oval, the Yulgok Hockey Center, the Kwandong Hockey Center, the Jeongseon Alpine Center, and the Alpensia Sliding Center.

In a statement, the IOC said they were impressed with progress made so far, but preparations for PyeongChang 2018 need to adhere to a tight schedule if the Games are to be successful.

"As we enter the delivery stage of the Games, some key priorities have been identified and this has retained the full attention of President Cho, who is leading the organizational effort," IOC co-comm chair Gunilla Lindberg was quoted.

"Timelines in a number of areas remain tight including for test events, so POCOG and its partners must continue to accelerate their work and reorganization in order to ensure the successful delivery of the venues and related services."

At the meetings, POCOG president Yang Ho Cho spoke of his commitment to the Olympic Games.

"I feel great responsibility to ensure PyeongChang’s success," Cho is quoted in a news release.

"You have my assurances that I am fully committed to the Games through 2018."

Cho is facing a controversy involving his daughter, who was arrested last month after an incident aboard a Korean Airlines flight.Heather Cho was a vice president of the airline at the time she made an aircraft return to the gate at JFK Airport over the way a flight attendant served nuts in the first class cabin. Cho’s daughter resigned all positions with the airline, but was arrested at the end of December for interfering with the flight. The incident stirred public outcry in South Korea, which is just starting to subside.

The next IOC update on PyeongChang 2018 will occur at the Coordination Commission in March 2015.

Written by Andrew Murrell

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