Party in Pyeongchang: South Korea Awarded 2018 Winter Olympics

Third time was a charm for the South Korean city of Pyeongchang.The city had made two unsuccessful bids to host the Winter Olympics before (once in 2010 and again in 2014) but after a landslide vote on Wednesday, they finally managed to score the honor. The decision was made after the city snagged 63 of the 95 votes cast in the first round of International Olympic Committee voting.

(PHOTOS: Loony Olympic Mascots)

The news was met with celebrations by the people of Pyeongchang, not to mention the Olympic bidding committee. Chairman Yang Ho-cho said that, “This is one of the happiest days for our country, our people and millions of youths dreaming of winter sport.”

Pyeongchang not only beat out Munich and Annecy, France but will also be the first Asian country, aside from Japan, to host the Winter Games. (via AP)

PHOTOS: A Brief History of Olympic Sore Losers

Megan Gibson is a reporter at TIME. Find her on Twitter at @MeganJGibson. You can also continue the discussion on TIME’s Facebook page and on Twitter at @TIME.

Related Topics: 2018 Olympics, korea, olympics, Pyeongchang, south korea, sports, video, winter games, winter olympics, Sports
  • Latest on NewsFeed

    Spencer Platt / Getty

    The Bodega: A Brief History of an Urban Institution

    The Internet wants to know: what’s a bodega? Any New Yorker can answer that question. But first we’re going around the corner, you want anything?

    NASA May Aim for Manned Mission to Mars by 2033Slate

    Olivier Anrigo/REUTERS

    Reading While Eating for May 25: You’re Still Here?

    Today’s lunchtime must-reads for Memorial Day Friday: Alien child stars and smoking pot with Barack Obama.

blog comments powered by Disqus