New PyeongChang 2018 President Speaks With ATR

(ATR) Faced with a steep learning curve, new PyeongChang president Hee-beom Lee vows to bring stability and leadership to an organization which has been riddled with change, while quickly getting up to speed with unfamiliar winter sports.

A former minister of trade, industry and energy in Korean government, Lee has no experience in sports or Olympics. He succeeded former POCOG president Yang-ho Cho, who had a long-standing relationship with the Olympic Movement, but unexpectedly resigned on May 3.

Lee, who was nominated by the Korean government just hours after Cho resigned, outlined his goals and strategies in an exclusive interview with Around the Rings as he assumes leadership of POCOG with just 19 months until the 2018 Winter Games.

"We need to be ready in two aspects – one is hardware, venues and infrastructure and the second is software, meaning know-how and experience," Lee told ATR.

"Hardware is mostly on track – the new venues will be completed before the end of the year," the POCOG president said. "Secondly, my goal is to reach 90-percent of the targeted amount of sponsorships by the end of the year."

"Lastly, it requires a collective effort to host a multi-sport event – after the Rio Olympics, POCOG will focus on garnering nationwide involvement," he said.

Lee, who is now the third POCOG president, said he will continue to consult with Cho as necessary. The former president apparently resigned to attend to the financial difficulties of another of his businesses, the Hanjin Group.

"I met with him last week and he had much advice and he promised that he will continue to advise me as honorary chairman of POCOG," Lee said of Cho. "Definitely, he will support the 2018 Winter Games."

The new POCOG leader conducted his first meeting with the IOC’s Coordination Commission Chair Gunilla Lindberg last week. Lindberg said PyeongChang 2018 is in "capable hands" with Mr. Lee as the critical operational phase is ongoing.

Lee advised that he will visit Lausanne next week to meet with IOC members.

The former Korean government official began his new job with briefings and venue site inspections in PyeongChang and Gangneung last week, while meeting members of his staff. He also met government ministers, sports organizations, national winter sport federations and the Korean Olympic and Paralympic Committees.

Questioned about his lack of winter sports expertise, Lee responded: "I will continue to communicate with the sport organizations and experts to listen to their advice and extend relationships with NOC’s and IF’s. I plan to strengthen POCOG with the help of international sport specialists."

Cho was praised by winter sport leaders, notably FIS president Gian-Franco Kasper, for successfully delivering PyeongChang’s opening test events in alpine skiing, freestyle skiing and snowboarding this past February. Lee will need to do the same on a larger scale as the next round of test events will involve competitions at nearly all of the future Olympic venues next winter.

"I have continually responded that I am not a sports specialist, but I was a minister of government, chairman of the Korean Trade Association and the Korean Employers Federation – two of the biggest organizations in Korea for many years," Lee said.

He added: "We have over 800 very capable staff members at POCOG and they have done a good job so far as seen with the successful test events in February. I have every faith of the passion and energy of the POCOG members."

Lee noted that he will attend the Rio de Janeiro Games with POCOG staff to meet IOC members, heads of NOCs and IFs, and other international sport leaders.

The PyeongChang 2018 Winter Games take place February 9-25, with more than 3,000 athletes from 90 countries expected to compete.

Situation with North Korea

Lee assured that there would be no problems with North Korea and the PyeongChang 2018 Games will be referred to as the ‘Peace Olympics.’

"I have emphasized that the PyeongChang Olympics will be the economical Olympics, cultural Olympics, environmental Olympics and also the peace Olympics," Lee said.

"Considering the ‘peace Olympics’ I trust North Korea will definitely join us at the Games."

"In the near future, I am considering to meet with the leaders of Japan and Chinese Olympic committees – we will all cooperate together," Lee said referring to cooperation among the Asian Pacific nations to ensure a safe Olympics for athletes and visitors.

Paralympics in Korea

Lee stressed Korea’s commitment to staging the Paralympic Games, while taking necessary steps to ensure venues and infrastructure are disability friendly.

"Paralympic Games are just as important as the Olympic Games so everyone at POCOG realizes that we are preparing for two Games," Lee said. "We are taking measures to make sure that everyone will be able to access and enjoy each and every Paralympic event."

Lee also spoke of a new initiative to further enhance and improve facilities for all Korea citizens.

"Last month, POCOG launched an Accessibility Recognition Program to encourage amenities and facilities in the venue cities to enhance accessibility for the pregnant, elderly or physically impaired persons," he explained. "We are also working with the venue cities to enhance the comfort of transportation facilities."

The Paralympics Games take place March 9-18, 2018, with nearly 700 athletes from approximately 50 countries planning to compete.

Written by Brian Pinelli

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