PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics organizers and two int'l federations "are discussing the possibility of moving some sliding competitions from the South Korean city to Japan," according to Karolos Grohmann of REUTERS. PyeongChang's preparations for the first Asian winter Olympics outside Japan "have been hit by budget problems and delays in some venues." A move to Japan's sliding center "would also be in line with planned IOC changes to make the Games cheaper and more sustainable." A source said, "This suggestion is out there. The two federations (luge and skeleton/bobsleigh) and organizers are talking about this." It "was not immediately clear what events would be moved and if they would be switched to the Nagano bobsleigh and luge park that hosted the competitions at the 1998 winter Olympics in Japan." Another source said, "It is an ongoing discussion" (REUTERS, 12/6). In Seoul, Nam Hyun-woo wrote the organizing committee for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics said Sunday that "it will oppose a move" to shift bobsled and luge events out of Korea in order to reduce costs. PyeongChang Organizing Committee Communications Dir General Shin Mu-chol said, "Should the IOC make an official offer about moving the events, the committee will show the IOC that we have plans for the long-term use of the venues we are building. We are constructing a bobsleigh run with a view for sustainable use and with the view of leaving a legacy. It is difficult for us to move events out of the country." However, the POCOG replied that it "had not received any request from the IOC" (KOREA TIMES, 12/7).
