Pyeongchang appear light favourites as IOC publishes report

May 10, 2011, 9:51 GMT

Lausanne, Switzerland - Pyeongchang, Munich and Annecy can host successful 2018 Winter Games but Pyeongchang appear to have a slight edge as the International Olympic Committee published its evaluation commission report on the bidding cities on Tuesday.

The South Korean resort is bidding for the third time after narrowly losing out for 2010 and 2014 and rated favourite against Germany's Munich and the French resort of Annecy.

The commission noted that 'all three Candidate Cities could successfully host the 2018 Olympic Winter Games, with each city offering its own distinct vision and concept ... though the very nature of each project presents different risks.'

All the three candidates welcomed the report.

Pyeongchang's bid leader Cho Yang Ho said he was 'absolutely delighted.' Munich 2018 chief executive Bernhard Schwank was 'absolutely thrilled.' Annecy bid leader Charles Beigbeder said the report gave the French candidacy a 'real boost.'

The evaluation commission visited all three bidders in February and March. The 119-page report is a technical analysis and does not rank the candidates.

The IOC elects the host city in a secret ballot on July 6 in Durban, South Africa. All three bidders will hold a technical presentation next week at the IOC headquarters and the final presentation before the IOC Session comes on election day.

The IOC report said that all three bidders were 'low risk' as far as safety and security were concerned. Pyeongchang officials told the IOC that political tensions between North and South Korea have not stopped the country from hosting big events like the 1988 Seoul Summer Olympics and the 2002 football World Cup.

Pyeongchang have the biggest public public support, from 92 per cent in town to 87 per cent each in the province and nation, and no opposition.

Munich's figures are 60, 53, and 56 per cent, plus an opposition movement and a group of landowners refusing to make their land available for the Games in the proposed ski event resort of Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Annecy has 51, 63 and 62 per cent public support.

If elected, Pyeongchang should also have 'a smooth transition' of from a bid to an organizing committee.

The IOC said that Pyeongchang's compact venue and accommodation concept allowed for 'short' to 'very short' travel times for athletes, officials, the media and spectators. While noting impact on forests, environmental concerns would be met by tree-planting measures.

The IOC also noted that 2018 Games in Pyeongchang would leave a 'significant' legacy 'to further develop winter sport in Asia.'

'I am absolutely delighted that the IOC's report confirms that Pyeongchang is considered ready to welcome the Olympic and Paralympic Games to South Korea for the first time,' said bid leader Cho Yang Ho.

Cho said the report 'confirms that Pyeongchang's New Horizons vision for the 2018 Winter Games sets out a clear framework to help the Olympic Movement and winter sports expand to new markets and help establish a modern winter sports hub in Asia.'

Munich, meanwhile, can draw on Germany's efficient running of major sports events, a 'strong, existing transport system' and 'a strong and innovative sustainability strategy ... which would result in a very low level of permanent environmental impact.'

A Munich 2018 bid statement said the report highlighted its 'strong and innovative sustainability strategy' and was 'a highly positive appraisal.'

Munich's bid chairperson Katarina Witt said that as a former athlete she was 'delighted to read the commission's comments on our compact athlete-friendly concept.'

On Annecy, the IOC said that while also able to host successful Games, the French bid nonetheless faces various challenges.

They range from 'little detail' concerning cultural and city activities during the Games, to concerns on a swift start of the construction delivery body and transportation challenges in a concept more spread out than those of Munich and Annecy.

However bid leader Beigbeder said the report 'is a real boost for the bid as it highlights the technical strengths of Annecy 2018's vision of authentic Games in the heart of the mountains, with the athletes and for the future.'

He added: 'We believe this strong report will help us to convince the Olympic Family that Annecy offers the best possible and most nurturing home for the 2018 Winter and Paralympic Games.'

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