Cities Bidding For '18 Games Make Final Push Ahead Of IOC Vote

The three cities bidding to host the '18 Games are in the "final days of frantic campaigning" ahead of the IOC's vote tomorrow in Durban, South Africa. Pyeongchang, South Korea, which failed in bids for the '10 and '14 Games, is "favored to finally win over the IOC." Munich, Germany, which hosted the '72 Games, is "bidding to become the first city to host a Summer and Winter Olympics." Annecy, France, is "seen as having fallen behind," but bid President Charles Beigbeder yesterday said that the resort "was still a contender" (AP, 7/5).

Meanwhile, the IOC has "sealed broadcasting rights deals" in Germany, South Korea and France. German state broadcasters ZDF and ARD were awarded rights for the '14 and '16 Games, while South Korea's SBS won media rights through '24. France Televisions won TV rights from '14-20. The IOC did not reveal financial terms for any of the deals (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 7/4).