Pyeongchang organizers nix plans to host ceremonies outside host city

Organizers for the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeonchang, South Korea, have decided to build a new venue for the opening and closing ceremonies in the host city, rather than use an existing venue in a nearby city, according to the Associated Press. 

The organizers had considered renovating a stadium in Gangneung, about a 60-mile drive from the host city. Instead, they will build a new venue the host city with a capacity of 40,000. 

Pyeongchang won the bid for the games over Munich, Germany, and Annency, France. The majority of the events will be held at a ski resort in Pyeongchang. Gangneung, a coastal city along the Sea of Japan, will host indoor events such as ice hockey and curling.

South Korea has never hosted the Winter Games, but did host the 1988 Summer Olympics in the capital of Seoul.

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- Dan Gartland