Despite having made progress in its 2018 Winter Games preparations, South Korean host PyeongChang faces a race against time, a senior international Olympic official said Thursday.
Gunilla Lindberg, head of the International Olympic Committee's Coordination Commission on PyeongChang, told Yonhap News Agency in Kuala Lumpur that time will be of essence for host South Korea's first Winter Olympics.
"Time is very crucial," Lindberg said when asked about challenges for PyeongChang, whose preparations have been marred by construction delays and budget issues.
Lindberg and the rest of the IOC are in the Malaysian capital for the Executive Board meeting and the 128th Session. The members will vote on the host of the 2022 Winter Games on Friday.
"We have all the test events coming up next year (in alpine skiing and snowboard)," Lindberg added. "I think construction is looking good, but another challenge is hotel capacity."
These test events, to be run by the International Ski Federation, will take place in Jeongseon and Bokwang near PyeongChang. In response to Lindberg's assessment, an official with PyeongChang's organizing committee said, "We may have some shortage of accommodation in Jeongseon area, but if we can use Alpensia Resort nearby, there should be no major problem."
Also important to PyeongChang's success will be "the enthusiasm of the Korean people," Lindberg said.
"We want the Korean Games, not just the PyeongChang Games," Lindberg said. "They have to take more interest. Hopefully, that's going to come."
Lindberg, a member of the Executive Board, visited PyeongChang last week for the IOC's fifth project review as the head of the Coordination Commission. These technical visits serve as interim updates between full-fledged Coordination Commission visits.
Concluding the review, Lindberg praised PyeongChang for having its focus on the right places and for the high quality of its construction.
The next Coordination Commission visit to PyeongChang will be in September.
"We have a very close cooperation with (PyeongChang)," Lindberg said. "We have to change to the operational phase and have to get everyone involved in test events. It's going to happen very soon.
If something is not going well, we can help in different directions."
During Lindberg's stay, PyeongChang signed a sponsorship agreement with the country's two largest automakers, Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors. Following the deal, PyeongChang claimed it is nearly half way to meeting its sponsorship target.
"We hope that it will improve in the coming months. We're moving slowly," Lindberg said. "But it doesn't happen by itself.
It's hard work to organize the Games."
PyeongChang officials gave a presentation before the Executive Board here on Wednesday, and IOC President Thomas Bach noted "good progress" in the South Korean host. PyeongChang is scheduled to give another presentation during the IOC Session on Saturday. (Yonhap)
