Stakeholders give PyeongChang the thumbs-up
While all different stakeholder groups are involved throughout the whole journey to the Games, representatives from International Federations, National Olympic Committees and the TOP partners joined the final Coordination Commission visit to PyeongChang to provide their support and expertise to the Organising Committee, which will help in creating the best possible atmosphere for athletes and fans.
International Federations, National Olympic Committees and commercial partners play a crucial role in the preparation of an Olympic Games. The expertise from International Federations assists in organising outstanding sporting competitions and test events, as well as in preparing fantastic venues. The support from National Olympic Committees ensures that the athlete experience is second to none and that spectators from around the world are able to attend the Games. Meanwhile, the commercial partners not only help to promote the Games, but also bring large amounts of operational expertise and innovative products to the table, which help the Games to run smoothly.
Olympic.org caught up with some members of these groups to get their opinion on how the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang are shaping-up.
We are confident POCOG will give a great performance environment for our athletes!
Canadian Olympic Committee’s Games Director – PyeongChang, Andrew Baker, said:
“We had a great couple of days in PyeongChang. It’s been really helpful to sit here with the different functional areas of POCOG and with the Executives to work through all of the detailed planning that is required of these Games. The Olympic Games are a very complex undertaking. We are confident POCOG will give a great performance environment for our athletes.”
World Curling Federation President, Kate Caithness, said: "The ninth Coordination Commission for PyeongChang was very productive. The meetings have given us confidence that curling will once more enjoy the success experienced at all the previous Games."
International Luge Federation President, Josef Fendt, said: “In terms of the preparations for the Olympic luge events, POCOG has made major progress over the past few months, particularly in the area of sport. I believe that we can all look forward to a well-organised event. However, there is still a little more to do over the next few months in terms of specific organisational details. We expect to build a constructive working relationship with those responsible at POCOG to make sure all of these matters can be resolved to everyone’s satisfaction. I am optimistic."
Coca Cola’s Head of Global Sponsorship, Ricardo Fort, said: “I have been here three times, the last time for the one-year out celebration. I was very impressed this past week on the evolution of the preparation for the Games. The visit we had in all the venues, it looks like everything is ready for the Games. Now we have to focus on activation – how to drive interest from fans and bring more people to the Games.”
International Ski Federation President, Gian-Franco Kasper, said: “We are very optimistic, of course, with the Games coming up. I am quite sure they (POCOG) will do an excellent job. They have good people, the test events were good, so we have no doubts.”
This is a new level of cooperation to help the IOC work on services to the athletes. It was a new dimension for us!
Deutscher Olympischer Sportbund’s Head of Department Games Management Sabine Krapf, said: “I am very thankful for the opportunity for National Olympic Committees to attend the Coordination Commission. This is a new level of cooperation to help the IOC work on services to the athletes. It was a new dimension for us.”