PyeongChang 2018 Hails Sliding Center Developments

(ATR) After concerns over the Alpensia Sliding Center, 2018 Games chiefs say test runs ahead of the official Olympic warm-up events have been successful.

A total of 28 athletes and officials from 10 nations represented the International Luge Federation in five days of test runs that concluded Saturday. Also participating were 50 athletes and officials from seven nations representing the International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation (IBSF). Each team was allowed at least three laps to test the new sliding center.

Games organizers said it was crucial to test all safety-related facilities as they prepare for the pre-homologation.

Last March, technical problems with the venue’s refrigeration plant, exacerbated by warm temperatures, prevented top lugers from sliding and forced the cancellation of pre-homologation.

There was no such trouble this time around. Lambert Koppen, a third party technician recognized by FIL and IBSF, said: "After the cooling plant inspection, I can give a green light to start the pre-homologation. Many points are done and the cooling plant is now safe for the athletes."

The athletes were able to conduct "seamless" practice sessions throughout the pre-homologation process, PyeongChang 2018 said in a release.

PyeongChang 2018 said the successful result of the pre-homologation "was an opportunity to build confidence for POCOG, Gangwon Province and international federations prior to the test events".

Test events for luge are scheduled from Feb. 16 to 19 and March 17 to 19 for bobsleigh and skeleton.

"POCOG and Gangwon Province are proud to have achieved such great results," said PyeongChang’s vice president of Games operations Baek Sungil.

"As safety is our top priority, we are still in the process of improving the venues for all athletes, spectators, and staff to enjoy the actual Games as well as the upcoming test events."

The first test event is the FIS Snowboard Big Air World Cup from Nov. 23-26. The event will make its Olympic debut at PyeongChang 2018.

At the close of the IOC coordination commission’s inspection of PyeongChang preparations earlier this month, chair Gunilla Lindberg urged Olympic organizers to use the test events to put the ski resort on the global map.She said the key challenge ahead was to grow PyeongChang’s profile to improve engagement with winter sports fans globally.

In response, PyeongChang 2018 president Hee-beom Lee said Games officials were focusing their energy in promoting test events and "widening interest" in the Games.

Reported by Mark Bisson

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