Korean President aims to deliver Olympics for Asia
DURBAN, South Africa — South Korean president Lee Myung-Bak said on Monday he felt it was his duty and his mission to deliver the 2018 Winter Olympics to the continent of…
DURBAN, South Africa — South Korean president Lee Myung-Bak said on Monday he felt it was his duty and his mission to deliver the 2018 Winter Olympics to the continent of Asia.The 69-year-old - who is here to support the Pyeongchang bid - told a small group of journalists that he hoped that if successful the venue would turn into the mecca for winter sports on the continent.Pyeongchang are bidding for the third time - having finished runners-up for both the 2010 and 2014 races - and face two rivals, in German candidate Munich and the French alpine town of Annecy.Their fate will be decided on Wednesday by the hundred plus members of the International Olympic Committee.Lee, whose predecessor the late Roh Moo-Hyun lobbied for Pyeongchang unsuccessfully in Guatemala City four years ago, said that for him it was not a question of personal glory but to give something to the Asians who have hosted the Winter Games only twice - the last time in Nagano, Japan in 1998."I wouldn't make this about personal glory," said Lee, who is on a three country whistlestop tour of Africa starting with talks with South African president Jacob Zuma on Tuesday."If we do win the bid it will be a great honour for the country."I want myself and the people in Asia to benefit from winter sports in terms of competition."America and Europe have benefited from winter sports, Asia hasn't had that opportunity. I consider this as my duty and mission to deliver this for Asia."Lee, who prides himself on being a keen sportsman and was a member of the board of swimming's governing body FINA, was adamant that Pyeongchang could become the hub of winter sports for the young in Asia."This (Asia) is a region with the most robust and dynamic growth in terms of the economy hence people will enjoy winter sports," he said."It is our aspiration to become a Mecca for Asians to enjoy winter sports."By hosting the Games we hope to spread the spirit of the Olympics beyond Pyeongchang throughout Asia."Lee said that hosting the Games could also help ease the ten
last modification 2011-07-04 15:30:22
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