Pyeong Chang is rapidly rising as the likely candidate for the 2014 Olympics bid. Partly it's because Pyeong Chang is well financed with no doping scandals as have hit Salzburg and with no risk of terrorism or bad infrastructure as is the case with Sochi. Korea has proved it's mettle in the winter games and is the favorite to win this time. Pyeong Chang is already pre-qualified, given it's strong performance in 2010 Winter Olympics selection process, where it lost by the narrowest of margins.

The trainers, staff and athletes from 31 countries were impressed by the facilities during the 2007 Pyeong Chang Inter Ski Congress. Another factor that helps Pyeong Chang's case is that this would be the first ever Winter Olympics in continental Asia, and would promote diversity and opportunity in the Winter Olympics. In a continent housing half the world's population, Asia has lagged behind in Winter Olympic participation. Korea's nomination should raise the interest in winter sports in this under represented continent. The factor that stacks the cards in Pyeong Chang's favor is the possibility of North and South Korea competing jointly if Pyeong Chang gets the nomination. This 'Peace and Harmony' games would be great emotional importance to the Koreans, and may very well bring about regional peace.

Salzburg:
Salzburg was the favorite, given it's past status as a venue for winter Olympics as well as due to the dynamic personality of Radmann who headed the bid committee. It was thought that Salzburg's 'Olympic Tradition' alone will allow it to win nomination. However, a few factors have since changed the dynamics. First of all, Salzburg just doesn't have the financial muscle to compete with its well financed rivals. This is a very important consideration, given the facilities that are expected by the athletes as well as guests in 2014. The doping scandal surrounding Austria's team also had a very negative effect on it's bid. Mr. Dick Pound, who is the chairman of World Anti-Doping Agency (and just as importantly a senior member of IOC) seems to have a dim view of Austrian bid after the scandal was made public. Ironically, the very fact that Salzburg has hosted Olympics twice goes against it.

Sochi:
Sochi, an underdog in the beginning of the race made it to the short list, thanks to the PR of President Putin. To Sochi's credit, it is very well financed, given Russia's wish to display it's newly found oil wealth. However, there are reasons why it was an underdog to begin with, and no amount of spin will make these reasons go away. Sochi is wracked by power failures. There were 2 black outs two weeks before IOC's review of the city. These were dismissed by their officials as 'happens every year'. As if this improves matters! There is a lack of modern infrastructure in the Krasnador region. It may have been a fancy resort in Soviet times (by Soviet standards), but it just doesn't compare to the standards expected in the 21st century. Sochi just does not have the track record Pyeong Chang has, of hosting international meets year after year since 1997.


For more information visithttp://korea.ixs.net/2014-winter-olympics.aspx

Jackie Gates lives a life on the move. From her childhood home in Manitoba to a two year stint in UCSD, on to a multiyear backpacking trip to North East China(dong-bei) and South Korea. Living the back packers life on a low budget was the worst of times(and the best of times). Jackie is a free lance travel writer, and an avid snow boarder. While not riding powder in Mammoth, she works as an editor ofhttp://korea.ixs.net andhttp://china.ixs.net