From Inside the Games
Pyeongchang 2018 organisers have been warned that they risk harming the image of their Olympic Games if they do not make swift improvements to both legacy plans and communications and engagement strategies.
This message was delivered by International Olympic Committee (IOC) Coordination Commission chair Gunilla Lindberg in an opening address which abandoned the usually anodyne language displayed on these occasions.
After praising organisers for their “impressive” construction progress, the Swede warned an Organising Committee team headed by new Pyeongchang 2018 President Lee Hee-beom that completing venues is “only one part of the job”.
Lindberg added: “Concerning venues, it must also be a top priority for Pyeongchang 2018, Gangwon Province and the Central Government to confirm the legacy plan for each venue.
“Decisions in this respect have been delayed for too long and decisions must be made.
“The current lack of clarity in this respect is having a negative impact on pre-Games operations and signature of the necessary use agreements with venue owners, which are both significantly delayed.
“Absence of clear legacy plans also reflects badly on the image of these Games for which legacy were already committed at bid time but never confirmed.”
