KOC submits official bid for PyeongChang to host Winter Olympics

Korea`s sports governing body said Thursday it has submitted an official bid for the city of PyeongChang to host the 2018 Winter Olympics, Yonhap reported.



PyeongChang, a mountainous resort city located some 180km east of Seoul, was endorsed by the Korean Olympic Committee (KOC) in April to become the country`s candidate for hosting the global sports showdown. A bidding committee was launched last week.



"It is an honor to submit the application to the International Olympic Committee in support of the South Korean government and the KOC. PyeongChang will do its best to host the most successful ever Winter Olympic Games," the bidding committee said in a statement attached to the KOC`s application.



The IOC plans to close applications on Oct. 15, after which candidate cities will start their international campaign. The winning city will be decided at the IOC`s general meeting in July 2011 in Durban, South Africa.



PyeongChang is expected to vie against Germany`s Munich and France`s Annecy. China`s Harbin is also likely to join the race.

This is PyeongChang`s third try to host the winter Games, having lost previously to Vancouver of Canada and Sochi of Russia.If successful, PyeongChang will become the third Asian city to host the world`s biggest winter sports event.