• 2018 Winter Olympics

Pyeongchang wins 2018 Winter Olympics vote

ESPN staff
July 6, 2011
The Winter Olympics are heading to South Korea © Getty Images
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The South Korean bid from Pyeongchang has been chosen to host the 2018 Winter Olympics.

The International Olympic Committee voted for the venue on Wednesday and Pyeongchang beat off competition from Munich in Germany and Annecy in France.

Pyeongchang secured 63 of the IOC's 95 votes, with Munich picking up 25 and Annecy seven.

It is reward for persistence for Pyeongchang, who lost out to Vancouver and Sochi for the right to host the 2010 and 2014 Games respectively.

"This is one of the happiest days for our country, our people and millions of youth dreaming of winter sport," said Pyeongchang bid chief Cho Yang-ho.

Pyeongchang has a population of 47,000 and is situated near South Korea's east coast.

South Korean president Lee Myung-bak declared it a victory for his nation and is vowing to deliver a high-quality Games.

"I will make a good Olympics," he said. "This is a victory for the Koreans, thank you to them."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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