With few days to the commencement of the 2018 Winter Olympics, otherwise known as PyeongChang Games, the Consul General of South Korea in Nigeria, His Excellency, Younghaon Lee has promised that the world championship will be the best in the history of the Olympics.
Mr Lee said that judging from the preparations put together by his country’s government and the good people of South Korea, the world will see and witness a memorable Winter Games scheduled for 9-25 February.
To Lee, who had been in Lagos in the last two and half year, the PyeongChang Games will be organised to celebrate the rich socio-cultural heritage of South Korea, the hospitality of the people and showcase the tourist potentials of one of the great countries in the Pennisula.
He told PM EXPRESS in an interview in Lagos that right from the airport, participants and foreign spectators will be exposed to best of hospitality of South Korean people. He disclosed that the packaging of the 2018 Winter Olympics made it unique even before the Games will kick off.
According to Lee ,while the last Winter Games which was held in Sochi had 88 countries in attendance, this year’s Games will feature 92 nations of the world. The gold medals presented in Sochi were 94, the gold at the PyeongChang Games are going to be 102.
Lee said that the world will not only witness the Winter Games, but they will also sightseeing some notable tourist attractive places while enjoyig the Olympics.
“Nigeria will be taken part in her first Winter Games ever through the qualification of four athletes for Bobsled and Skeleton events. This will make it very important for Nigerians. We have the teams, coaches and some officials of Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) who will be going to the Games,” the well experienced diplomat said.
On the participation of the neighbouring North Korea in the Winter Olympics this year, Lee said there is excitement ahead of the competition as both North and South Korea will present a joint team in one of the events, adding that the participation is very symbolic and a turning point in the reconciliatory effort of the South Korean government to bring peace to the Pennisula.
“This was achieved through dialogue,” he said.
His Excellency, Younghoan Lee praised the good works being done by successive governments in Lagos State right from the time of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the present government of Akinwunmi Ambode. He said the good work s are for all to see.
He said as a foreigner, he always sees himself as a Lagosian because “Lagos has nice atmosphere, very cordial and the people are friendly.”