POCOG Faces Criticism Over Controversial Decisions

July 25, 2012

Residents of the South Korean city of Pyeongchang, host of the 2018 Winter Olympics, are reportedly growing frustated by POCOG’s failure to listen to them regarding key decisions.

Controversial decisions have included switching the opening and closing ceremonies from the originally planned sites, and changing venues for events.

Hong Young-ki, a resident of nearby Daegwallyeong, said: “The most frustrating problem is that POCOG has been failing to communicate with us. The decision to change the venue of the opening and closing ceremonies of the Games should have been discussed with the local people in advance.”

Another contentious issue is POCOG’s plans to build an ice hockey stadium for the men’s competition at the Gangneung Athletic Complex. The decision comes despite the request of Wonju, a city in the same province as Pyeongchang, to build it near the city to try to achieve balanced regional development.{jcomments on}