Pyeongchang, along with rivals Annecy and Munich, are currently putting the finishing touches on their presentations for the vital International Olympic Committee (IOC) technical briefing in Lausanne later this month and Park refuses to accept that the South Korean city, which is bidding for the third consecutive time, are ahead.

"We do not think we are the favourites," Park said at a media briefing here where he was attending the 9th World Conference on Sport and the Environment.

"We are fully aware that the other two candidates are very strong but we will focus on our own strengths to the very last minute and the very last second.

"We will continue to meet with IOC members to show them the strengths of our bid and the benefits we that we can give to them.

"Pyeongchang would like to write a new chapter in Winter Games history.

"We want to expand the stage for winter sports beyond Europe and North America where the Winter Games have been concentrated.

"We want to employ this opportunity to promote the values of the Olympic Movement and use sport to promote unity and development on all regions of the world, including Asia, Africa and the Middle East."

Park's words echo those of Lee Kun-hee, the chairman of Samsung Electroncis and a member of the IOC, who last month warned that Pyeongchang had to continue working hard if their bid was to be successful. 

South Korea has not hosted the Olympics since they staged the Summer Games more than 20 years ago.

"The 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul were a pivotal point in Korea's development," said Park.

"We had problems of poverty, human rights and other issues and the Games helped us move forward.

"We would now like to contribute to leaving a lasting legacy for the global community."

Park claimed that one of the most important aspects of the Pyeongchang bid is for it to be environmentally friendly and he stated renewable energy will be a key feature of the Pyeongchang Games if they are awarded the Games by the IOC at its Session in Durban on July 6.

"We will start with the environment, which is a top priority for the Korean Government," he said.

"Our Green Dream - O2 Plus Programme symbolises this.

Our aim is to achieve 100 per cent energy efficiency through renewable energy, utilize a smart grid system to secure renewable energy at all venues and construct a new wind energy power plant for the Games.

"We are taking all necessary steps to create a truly Green Games in 2018."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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