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Gunilla Lindberg, who chairs the International Olympic
Committee's coordination committee for Asia's first Winter Games
outside Japan, said she was confident POCOG would make sure the
facility was of the highest quality.
Lindberg and POCOG President Cho Yang-ho were among those
present at the ceremony. Construction is due to be completed in
2017 and will house around 3,500 athletes traveling to the South
Korean alpine town for the Games.
"The Olympic Village is the heart of the Olympic Games," the
Swede said in a statement. "It is a special place where athletes
from around the world come together to prepare and celebrate in
peace and harmony under the Olympic values.
"I am confident that this Village will be a good facility for
the athletes and I know that President Cho and his team will
spare no effort to deliver the best conditions and services
possible for those Olympians staying here in 2018."
The coordination committee is meeting in Pyeongchang for the
fifth time to assess progress in preparations, which got off to
a slow start but have hit full stride this year.
Concerns about costs and construction delays had raised
speculation earlier this year that some of the events might have
to be moved away from Pyeongchang, perhaps even to Japan.
However, those concerns have eased and major South Korean
companies such as Samsung, Korean Air and LG have agreed to pour
in funds to support the Games in Pyeongchang, some 180
kilometers east of the capital Seoul.
“POCOG is committed to building a Village that will provide the
best environment for athletes so they can be in optimal
condition for their competition," said POCOG President Cho.
POCOG said in the statement that after the Games the
accommodation would be sold to the public, saving organizers
around $8 million. It also expected the construction projects to
provide an economic boost to the area.
(Editing by Ian Ransom)
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