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FILE - In this Feb. 19, 2011 file photo, a South Korean father pulls his son on a sled in front of a sign promoting the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, east of Seoul, South Korea. The people of Pyeongchang can confidently promise two things when they host the Olympics: itÕll be cold, and thereÕll be no concerns about snow. While a warm spell has created challenging conditions for the skiers and snowboarders competing in the mountains above Sochi at the 2014 edition, thereÕs been heavy dumps of snow in the region that will host the next Winter Games in 2018. (AP Photo/ Lee Jin-man, File)
SOCHI, Russia >> The Sochi Games are heading into their final weekend, so the focus will soon start turning to the next Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
Members of the Pyeongchang delegation have been in Sochi trying to learn from the Russian organizers to help them prepare for the 2018 Winter Games. Once the games in Sochi draw to a close, all attention will turn to South Korea, and IOC spokesman Mark Adams playfully teased Jerry Ling, the Pyeongchang 2018 head of games coordination, about the hot seat he’s about to take.
“I’m sure you’re quaking in your boots,” Adams said.
“Before I begin, can I ask for a request that somebody takes a photo of that picture for me, please, because I need to show my son that his father is working here,” Ling said with a big grin.
Ling said the Koreans were finding their trip to Russia very helpful as they study best practices and try to ready themselves for their turn in the spotlight. It will be the first Winter Games in Korea and a chance for a city to introduce itself to the rest of the world.
They brought 154 people to Sochi to examine all aspects of the games.
“We will try our best to deliver as much as we can and to (give) you a pleasant stay in Pyeongchang,” Ling said with a grin. “So those are the official words I have to say to make my boss happy.”
