Olympic leaders "have continued to voice their displeasure with the political climate that forced Rome to suspend its bid for the 2024 Summer Games." The IOC "reiterated its concerns in a letter to the Italian Olympic Committee that was made public on Monday." IOC President Thomas Bach: "Based on the information we have received over the last few days, it has been clearly demonstrated that the City Council’s decision was politically motivated for reasons beyond the Olympic project." Rome 2024, a private bid committee, "stepped back from the race amid opposition" from Mayor Virginia Raggi and a negative council vote. Bach: "There is no doubt that this project would have left a positive and sustainable legacy for the City of Rome and the Lazio Region" (L.A. TIMES, 10/18).
A promotional video for the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea "has been branded 'poor' and 'embarrassing.'"
The video, "ARARI, YO," has been in hot water with many Koreans who say its quality is "so tacky that it does not live up to the name value of the global event." The video features Hyolin from K-pop girl band SISTAR singing the event's theme song, "Arariyo" -- a Korean folk song -- with comedians Kim Jun-hyun and Jung Sung-ho. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism released it on Sept. 29 (KOREA TIMES, 10/18).
