PyeongChang will embrace Paralympic ideals: Hartung

The Australian Paralympic Committee (APC) has welcomed the announcement of PyeongChang as host city of the 2018 Paralympic and Olympic Games.

APC President Greg Hartung said the Korean City was a deserving winner and will no doubt stage a memorable Paralympic Games, stating "Korea has a proud history in Paralympic sport and will deliver a Games that will strongly embrace both the Olympic and Paralympic ideals.

"The decision to award the 2018 Games to PyeongChang will provide a huge boost to Paralympic sport not just in Asia, but around the world.

"From an Australian point of view, it is exciting that competition will be held in a similar time zone to ours, giving the Australian public and media a greater chance to follow the progress of our Australian Team at the Games more closely."

The election of the host city took place this week during the 123rd Session of the International Olympic Committee in Durban, South Africa.

PyeongChang won in the first round of voting with 63 votes, defeating the Germany city of Munich (25 votes) and the French city of Annecy (7 votes).

Hartung said PyeongChang faced extremely worthy competition from the two rival bids, adding "each of the candidate cities delivered outstanding bids. PyeongChang was successful on this occasion, but both Munich and Annecy would have been first-rate hosts and should be congratulated on the excellent quality of their respective campaigns to host the Games."

Steve Graham, Head Coach of the Australian Paralympic Committee's Winter Program, said that while the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi are his immediate priority, Australia's preparations for PyeongChang in 2018 are well underway.

Graham explained "we have already targeted athletes for the 2018 Games through the APCï¾s talent identification and development programs, and that work continues.

"We have competed in Korea at World Cup events over the past couple of years, and there is no doubt that the people of Korea will stage a Paralympic Games of high quality.

"It's an exciting time for Australian Paralympic Winter sport. We are building a great team for Sochi in 2014 and now I'm also looking forward to seeing our athletes represent Australia in PyeongChang."

Image courtesy of the Australian Paralympic Committee.

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