While the IOC did not rank the cities, the report identified strengths and weaknesses, with all three cities felt, on the whole, to have presented very strong bids. PyeongChang had no real issues to address while Sochi will have to keep a tight reign on its construction to ensure timely delivery of the Games. The report raised questions about Salzburg's "relatively low" budget compared to previous Winter Olympics while the transport plans also had shortcomings.
But the report appears to leave the door open for all three candidate cities on decision day in Guatemala on July 4 during the 119th IOC Session.
The report, based on the Commission’s visits to the three bid cities in February and March assessed the candidates on a number of key issues, including sports venues, security, financing, accommodation, transport and government and public support.
Sochi’s evaluation praised its ‘very good’ bid concept and said its presentations were of a high quality as too were the guarantees it has provided. The Sochi budget is detailed, well documented and considered achievable by the Commission. The IOC public opinion poll revealed 79 per cent of the local population (and 80 per cent of the Russian population) support or strongly support the Games and the Commission praised the strong government support driving the bid. The commission commended the bid for its proposed legacy and said not only Russian athletes but international federations would be well served by Sochi.
The report reiterated the fact the Sochi bid represents a major infrastructure programme and that it would need to be tightly monitored to ensure timely delivery of the Games. It also stressed that funds would be allocated for an environmental education centre and for environmental projects to compensate for construction in the Sochi National Park.
Salzburg, said the Evaluation Commission report, proposes an ‘excellent concept’ based around two zones with a particular focus on youth and young people. The report also praises the positive, sustainable legacy the bid offers and said its Paralympic Games plans have been ‘well thought out’.
But the Commission raised several issues. The Salzburg budget was considered ‘to be relatively low compared to previous Olympic Winter Games’ and the plan underestimates the required budget for ceremonies and the resources required for security operations. The report also outlines what appear to be insufficient guarantees in some areas, especially with regards to land rights.
The IOC poll indicated low public support in Salzburg. Only 42 per cent of the city’s population (and 61 per cent of the Austrian population) support or strongly support the Games - putting Salzburg’s bid behind its competitors in this respect.
PyeongChang's proposed concept comprising two zones and two stand-alone venues is ‘excellent’ according to the report. Its Paralympic Games plans have been ‘well thought out’.
Local public support for the Games in PyeongChang is 91 per cent (and national support is 83 per cent), highest among the three bids and the report said the bid would create ‘a centre for winter sports in Asia.' The budget is detailed, well documented and considered achievable by the Commission.
Sochi 2014 CEO, Dmitry Chernyshenko told SportBusiness “we are very grateful for the excellent evaluation commission report which fully reflects all of our Bid's expectations. It praises our high quality Bid and excellent Games plan and states the Commission’s belief that our plans are achievable, confirming that the Commission shares our ambitious vision.”
“We are delighted that the members of the Commission praised out innovative plan for the Games and the fact that Sochi 2014 is a national priority for the Government, recognising that our Bid has such strong and overreaching government as well as public support.”
Chernyshenko stressed that the construction works are progressing at full speed in the Sochi region with new roads and tunnels and a new international terminal at the airport already completed ahead of schedule.
“Most of all,” he said, “we are glad that the Commission recognised the historical legacy that this Bid and the chance to host the 2014 Winter Olympic Games offers Sochi, Russia and the Olympic movement. Sochi is a blank canvas and there are no limits to what we can do. We look forward to building the infrastructure to serve future generations.”
“Hosting the Winter Olympics will help develop winter sports in Korea and promote peace on the Korean Peninsula,” Gangwon Province Kim Jin-sun said in a press conference in Yongpyeong, Gangwon Province.
Salzburg Mayor and Salzburg 2014 President Heinz Schaden said in a statement, "I am delighted that the [IOC] characterised the Salzburg 2014 Bid...as 'an excellent concept' with a particular 'focus on youth and providing a unique and memorable Games experience to young people.”
The evaluation report also added an unusual general warning about the impact of climate change by 2014 and the prospect of less reliable snowfall, and more extreme weather conditions. It said the IOC would have to pay more attention to issues like the altitude of snow sport venues, as well as the cost and environmental impact of measures such artifical snowmaking and growing transport needs.
