Yang Ho Cho, Chairman and CEO of PyeongChang’s bid committee for the 2018 Winter Olympic Games, met with International Paralympic Committee (IPC) CEO Xavier Gonzalez Friday at the IPC headquarters in Bonn, Germany, to reaffirm PyeongChang’s commitment to the Paralympic Movement and highlight how a Paralympic Winter Games in PyeongChang would serve to generate greater interest and participation in Paralympic winter sports in Asia.
Cho explained how the bid’s New Horizons vision for the Paralympic Winter Games included the “Actualising the Dream” project, a seven-year plan that involves helping to attract new Paralympic athletes to winter sports and raise awareness about Paralympic sports amongst the public and the media.
Cho confirmed that PyeongChang 2018 has committed USD 17.5 million to ensure that the “Actualising the Dream” project is a success if PyeongChang hosts the 2018 Games.
Cho said, “I am delighted and honoured to be here in Bonn, home of the Paralympic Movement. The Paralympic Games holds a special place in Korean hearts as the 1988 Seoul Games had a profound effect on our country and inspired positive social change.
“Seoul 1988 was the first Paralympic Games where the events were held at the same venues as the Olympic Games and we are very proud of the role we have played in history of the Paralympic Movement. We believe a Winter Games in PyeongChang will also have an amazing impact on Paralympic winter sport in Asia.”
IPC CEO Gonzalez said, “the IPC is glad to confirm that PyeongChang 2018 has taken on board all of our comments and suggestions in the past 10 years and the current plans do reflect this ongoing dialogue”.
