By Duncan Mackay

Royal Thames_Yacht_ClubOctober 29 - South Korea are set to base themselves at the Royal Thames Yacht Club (RTYC) during next year's Olympics in London, it will be announced next week.  


Set in the heart of Knightsbridge and a stone's throw away from the International Olympic Committee Hotel, the RTYC is a luxurious setting where Korean guests will receive a special welcome. 

The venue, the oldest continuously operating yacht club in the United Kingdom having been formed in 1775 by Prince Henry, Duke of Cumberland and Strathearn, younger brother of King George III, boasts a dining room overlooking Hyde Park, beautiful oak panelled interiors, several event spaces including cabins as well as the most stunning nautical history collection accumulated over several centuries.

"It is with great appreciation that Team Korea is welcomed to one of London's most prestigious centres of cultural ambience and tradition," said Yong Sung Park, the President of the Korean Olympic Committee (KOC), 

"The rich atmosphere and kind reception staff of the Clubhouse inspires harmony and friendship for the promotion of international cooperation that will be housed there during the games. We graciously look forward to Team Korea's luxurious stay at the Royal Thames Yacht Club."

Korea are set to have a higher profile at the Games following the decision earlier this year to award the 2018 Winter Olympics and Paralympics to Pyeongchang. 

"We at the Royal Thames are very pleased to welcome KOC to the Club," said Mike Halstead, the Rear Commodore Sailing of the RTYC.

"It has been our plan for some time to host an NOC (National Olympic Committee) at the Clubhouse over the course of the Games and it is now our great honour to be a part of showcasing London during 2012."

The deal is the latest to be brokered by the Concerto Group and follows the announcement earlier this month that Kensington Gardens, one of London's most beautiful parks, is to be the venue for the Association of National Olympic Committess of Africa (ANOCA) during next year's Games.

"We are very proud to be working with the Korean Olympic Committee and are delighted to have been able to secure this distinguished venue, steeped with nautical history," said Mike Kershaw, the chairman of the Concerto Group.

"We look forward to assisting the KOC in the months to come to deliver a successful 'Team Korea House' during the London 2012 Games."

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