Among those who attended the dinner at Cheong Wa Dae - the Blue House, the official residence of South Korea's head of state - were Lee Kun-hee, chairman of Samsung Electronics who is a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and Kim Yu-Na, the Olympic skating champion whose performance during the final presentation in Durban earlier this month, was praised around the world. 

Others who were present included Yang·Ho·Cho, the President and chief executive of Pyeongchang 2018, Kim Jin-su, the former Governor of Gangwon Province who had led Pyeongchang's first two unsuccessful bids to host the 2010 and 2014 Olympics and was a Special Ambassador during this campaign, and Y S Park, the President of the Korean Olympic Committee. 

"When we lost in the first and second attempts, we were less united," said President Lee.

"But this time, we were united very tightly and worked together.

"I was encouraged to see us getting united and felt that our national fortunes will prosper in the future."

The scale of Pyeongchang's victory stunned everyone.

They polled a remarkable 63 votes to win in the first round ahead of Muncih with 25 and Annecy seven.

"Chinese President Hu Jintao's expression of support was critical," Lee told guests.

"Japan's support was also helpful."

Lee, however, urged guests, who also who also included·Moon Dae-sung, the 2004 Olympic taekwondo champion who is a member of the IOC Athletes' Commission, to look forward and not back. 

"We should now work toward successful hosting of the Winter Olympics and establish Korea as the hub of winter sports in East Asia," he said.

"Let's work together to make it possible.

"What we will do from now is to first let the global event proceed smoothly, and in the post-Olympics season make the most of the infrastructure that has been built."

There was also praise for President Lee.

"I think President Lee's joining the last-minute pitch in Durban, South Africa also had an effect on our winning the bid," said Cho. 

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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