It follows criticism that the Alpensia Sliding Centre venue in which bobsleigh, skeleton and luge competitions are due to be held is overly expensive to construct, with some calling for existing venues in other countries - such as Japan - to be used instead.

Organisers have claimed plans will not be changed, but fears remain over whether authorities can afford to finance a venue due to cost KRW ₩122.8 billion (£74 million/$110 million/€103 million), with approximately 75 per cent to be covered by the South Korean Government and the remainder by local authorities.

Of this figure, it was thought around KRW ₩22.6 billion ($20 million/£13.7 million/€18.8 million) is due to be spent on non-essential aspects, although Pyeongchang 2018 officials have now claimed the true sum is only around 25 per cent of this figure.

An Indoor Ice Start practice facility for practising push starts is among these accessory developments, while a mountaintop restaurant, with a circular view, is also planned.

"The organisers have decided to build more than they needed to," Pengilly, the IOC Athletes' Commission member who represented Great Britain in skeleton at Turin 2006 and Vancouver 2010, told insidethegames here today.

"They want to have a fantastic circular restaurant at the top, and also an ice house for pushing.

"Both federations [International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (FIBT) and International Luge Federation]  have said, 'You don't need that, and you don't need that'.

"These are nice to have but not a requirement."

An artists impression of the building at the top of the Alpensia Sliding Centre being built for Pyeonghcang 2018 at a cost of $110 million ©Pyeongchang 2018



Pengilly's IOC member colleague Barry Maister of New Zealand also praised the scale of the centre, describing it to insidethegames as a state-of-the-art "Rolls Royce venue". 

But the plans are out-of-step with the recently adopted Agenda 2020, which aims to promote themes of sustainability and affordability.

Construction work had started on this facility before Agenda 2020 was finalised, however. 

Having admitted the IOC Coordination Commission were initially concerned about speed of contruction, Pengilly praised the venue following a visit as part of the venue tour.

He singled out "swift" progress, adding how he does not think there is "too much to worry about" regarding finishing on time, with the challenge more being learning how to run the venue in the relatively short window between completion and the first test event being held.

The lavish scale of the project could also enhance a local legacy, while the unveiling of more sponsorship agreements would help alleviate costs, with more promised for later this year following a deal confirmed with Korean Air today. 

The Sliding Centre is currently around 20 per cent constructed and, like most venues, is due to be completed in October 2016, with a test event to be held before April 2017 at the latest. 

Organisers are planning to bring in experts from abroad, and have already sent a delegation to the recent FIBT World Championships in Winterberg to observe how the facility there worked, Pengilly revealed. 

The Briton, a silver medallist at the 2009 World Championships, added that the track looks good, with its unusually long length meaning it should suit strong drivers rather than the best pushers.

Adam Pengilly competed in two Winter Olympics as a skeleton athlete before becoming an IOC Athletes' Commission member ©Getty Images



With South Korea having enjoyed success in both skeleton and bobsleigh events this season, Pengilly claimed the Games provides a real opportunity for the host nation to continue its upward curve, and replicate the success seen in short track speed skating and figure skating.

His words followed the end of the first full day of meetings here, with the Commission, chaired by Sweden's Gunilla Lindberg, tackling issues including athlete services and transport as well as venues.

Three members of the Commission - United States' Angela Ruggiero, Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark and Tatiana Dobrokhvalova of Russia - are absent, meaning the group is 10 strong, although various IOC officials are also present, including IOC Executive Director for the Olympic Games, Christophe Dubi. 

The visit will conclude here tomorrow following another series of meetings.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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