June 22 - Today, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board accepted Annecy (France), Munich (Germany) and PyeongChang (Republic of Korea)* as Candidate Cities to host the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in 2018.

The selection was based on a study of the Candidate Cities' applications submitted earlier this year. This study was made by a working group of experts who revised each Applicant City's potential to host successful Winter Games in 2018. The application files covered various areas including questions about Government Support and Public Opinion, General Infrastructure, Sports Venues, Athletes' Village, Environmental Conditions and Impact, Accommodation, Transport, Security, experience from past sports events, Overall Project and Legacy. The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) provided the IOC with comments on the Paralympic Games specific information submitted by the Cities.

The three Candidate Cities now have time until January 11, 2011 to submit their Candidature Files, an in-depth description of their Olympic and Paralympic project. An IOC Evaluation Commission, including one representative from the IPC, will visit the cities to get a better impression and analyze the Candidature Files in detail. The IOC Evaluation Commission's appraisal will be published in a report, and sent to the IOC members no later than one month before they cast their vote.

The final decision on the host city for the 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games will be made by the full IOC membership during the IOC Session in Durban, South Africa, in July 2011.

(The End)