PyeongChang 2018 breaks ground on Olympic Village

With members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Coordination Commission on hand, the PyeongChang 2018 Organising Committee for the 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (POCOG) has this week broken ground on the construction of the Olympic Village.

Set to serve athletes and officials at both the Winter Games and the Paralympics, the Olympic Village, which will accommodate around 3,500, is being built at the Yongpyong Dome mountain cluster.

Privately funded by Yongpyong Resort, construction is expected to be completed by September 2017.

The IOC Commission, led by IOC Executive Board Member, Gunilla Lindberg, and Executive Games Director, Christophe Dubi, was visiting PyeongChang this week for its fifth inspection visit on the progress of the Games.

Commenting on the new construction at a special groundbreaking, Lindberg stated "the Olympic Village is the heart of the Olympic Games.

"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 (POCOG President, Yang-ho Cho) and his team will spare no effort to deliver the best conditions and services possible for those Olympians staying here in 2018.”

Speaking at the ceremony, Cho added “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.

“POCOG also wants it to be as comfortable as they are at home where they can relax and enjoy meeting fellow athletes from around the world.”

After the Games the Olympic Village will be used for accommodation at the ski resort.

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