PyeongChang Alpine Ski Test Event Proceeds Amid Political Turmoil

(ATR) It is business as usual for PyeongChang 2018 organizers as Olympic test events move forward despite political uncertainty in Korea’s national government.

The Far East Cup – the third of 24 Olympic test events this winter – takes to the slopes of Yongpyong Ski Resort starting Monday, Jan. 16. Male and female giant slalom and slalom skiers will compete on the future Olympic trails over four days of competition.

"We did have a warmer-than-usual December but January has returned to normal and we got quite a bit of snow last week as well," POCOG spokesperson Jihye Lee tells Around the Rings. "POCOG and KSA (Korean Ski Association) are working together for all ski test events, and the Yongpyong course is shaping up very nicely."

Approximately 70 skiers from 16 Asian countries are expected to compete. Unlike other PyeongChang Olympic venues, the Yongpyong Alpine Center has hosted numerous competitions, including four World Cup events, the most recent in 2006.

POCOG President Hee Beom Lee will attend the races on the opening day and serve as the presenter for the podium ceremony.

"Mr. Lee is supported by many experts in each field," said the POCOG spokesperson. "The specifics of arranging the sport competitions is carried out by the relevant departments in liaison with the [International] Federations."

Despite the importance of the test event, there will not be any television broadcast of the races.

According to POCOG, no government officials have been invited to the races.

The role of the Korean government in Olympic preparations seemingly took a downturn last month when president Geun Hye Park was impeached by the South Korean parliament. Kyo Ahn Hwang has assumed interim executive powers in Korea as Park faces trial for her role in an influence-peddling scandal.

"Despite the political turmoil, the Games are just a year away," Korean journalist Sujin Chun tells Around the Rings. "There are still working-level officials at the Blue House whose responsibilities include PyeongChang 2018.

"The support of a stable national government is a key so this is why the next President, whoever it will be, should show great interest in the Games," Chun said.

President Park is currently suspended for six months after her impeachment. If a constitutional court finds her guilty, new elections must be held within 60 days.

Chun said the recent political upheaval has impacted public perception of the Games.

"PyeongChang 2018 now bears a Scarlet Letter, as it turned out that it has been used in the influence-peddling scandal of the current political turmoil.

"So people here now have mixed emotions about the Games, but Koreans also strongly feel that the country cannot afford to make the Games a failure and then lose face worldwide," Chun said.

POCOG spokesperson Lee emphasized that the Winter Olympics in South Korea "transcend national or political issues" when asked if the political turmoil is affecting the Games.

"Our team for PyeongChang 2018 remain focused on Games preparation, building the facilities to a standard the athletes will welcome, organizing a series of test events that will help us fine-tune our preparations, and activating promotional activities as we meet the various milestones leading up to the Games," she said. "All these efforts continue as normal."

Written by Brian Pinelli

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