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Seoul ready to host Games: officials
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SOUTH KOREAN officials said on Saturday that Seoul would host the 2004 Summer Olympic Games should Athens be unable to do so.
"We have received no information from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that it is considering changing the venue," Lee Hong-sok, Assistant Culture and Tourism Minister said.
"However, should Athens be unable to host the Games, Seoul would be pleased to take the honour," he was quoted as saying by Yonhap news agency.
He noted that Seoul had successfully staged the 1988 Summer Games.
"It would not be impossible for us to stage the 2004 Games," he said, adding Seoul would use its knowhow from staging the 1988 Games and renovate facilities.
"We would consider positively (staging the 2004 Games) if there is any official request from the IOC," he said.
He made the statement in response to a magazine report that the IOC was mulling changing the venue of the 2004 Summer Olympics from Athens to Seoul.
He noted, however, the report came as the IOC was urging Athens to step up preparations for the event.
The US magazine reportedly said in its latest edition that the IOC is mulling changing the venue for the 2004 Games from Athens to Seoul to promote inter-Korean reconciliation, quoting a close aide to IOC President Antonio Samaranch.
In Athens, IOC coordination committee chairman Jacques Rogge said on Friday that progress had been made in preparations for the 2004 Olympics but that building of sports venues must begin in the next few months.
The Belgian, who is a front runner to succeed outgoing IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch in July, told a press conference that he found a "mixed bag of results" during his two-day visit to government officials and members of the Athens Olympics organizing committee (ATHOC).
He said that although there have been delays in construction projects for the Games, there is no question in the mind of the IOC that the Olympics will be held anywhere else but Athens in 2004 as planned.
"The IOC has never, never considered removing the Games from Athens. In the next six months, which are crucial, the quality of the Games will be at stake with the actions that will be taken by the government," Rogge said. (SD-Agencies)
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