(ATR) PyeongChang 2018 organizers confirm to ATR that Bokwang Phoenix Park will be used for snowboarding and freestyle skiing.
The announcement follows an agreement between the venue operators and Games officials following a dispute over fees. Bokwang is the original venue concept for the two ski events approved by the IOC.
"POCOG is continuing with preparations according to venue plans as finalized at the [IOC] Project Review in January," organizing committee spokeswoman Jihye Lee told ATR on Friday.
"POCOG is working in close cooperation with the related governments and the International Ski Federation to meet the requirements and be ready to hold test events at Bokwang in 2016 as planned."
South Korean sports minister Kim Jong-deok told reporters at a press conference in Seoul that the dispute had been settled. Kim declined to comment on the cost of using the venue but promised that the expense to taxpayers would be kept to a minimum, according to Reuters.
He also echoed comments made by PyeongChang 2018 president Yang Ho Cho rejecting claims that some events could be moved to other cities in South Korea to slash costs.
On Monday, Cho said that only a natural disaster would force organizers to consider sharing events at the Winter Games.
"There will be no more discussions about co-hosting [events]," Kim said.
The IOC’s 2018 Coordination Commission arrives in PyeongChang next week to inspect the progress of Games preparations. The check-up from March 17 to 19 is led by co-comm chair Gunilla Lindberg.
Reported by Mark Bisson
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