IOC chief says PyeongChang faces 'no real challenges' in Winter Games prep

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach said Friday PyeongChang, the South Korean host of the 2018 Winter Games, has done such a great job in its preparations that he doesn't "see real challenges."Bach made the remark at a press conference following the conclusion of the IOC's Executive Board meeting at Alpensia Convention Centre in PyeongChang, some 180 kilometers east of Seoul. During his stay, Bach visited the construction site for the Olympic Village and received reports on Pye

Olympic GamesMarch 17, 2017

NK submits roster for women's hockey tournament in S. Korea

North Korea has submitted a roster for an upcoming women's hockey tournament in South Korea, local organizers said Friday, though its participation will still need Seoul's approval.The International Ice Hockey Federation Women's World Championship Division II Group A will take place in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, some 230 kilometers east of Seoul, from April 2-8. It will be held as a test event for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics. In this file photo provided by the Korea Ice Hockey Associa

More SportsMarch 17, 2017

Korean snowboarder takes 5th place in parallel giant slalom at worlds

South Korean snowboarder Lee Sang-ho took fifth place in the men's parallel giant slalom competition at the International Ski Federation Freestyle Ski & Snowboard World Championships.Lee, 21, reached the quarterfinals in the men's PGS at the worlds in Sierra Nevada, Spain, on Thursday (local time). He was beaten by Benjamin Karl of Austria by 2.54 seconds but ranked fifth because of his qualification time. In this file photo taken on Feb. 20, 2017, South Korean snowboarder Lee Sang-ho competes i

More SportsMarch 17, 2017

IOC to require minimum number of doping tests for Olympic athletes

The International Olympic Committee on Thursday said it will require athletes to take a certain number of doping tests before taking part in the Olympic Games.The measure was part of the IOC's 12 principles reached at its Executive Board meeting held in PyeongChang, the host of the 2018 Winter Games lying 180 kilometers east of Seoul. They were drafted to ensure "a more robust and independent global anti-doping system to protect clean athletes." Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympi

Olympic GamesMarch 16, 2017

Korea to open camp Sunday in prep for U-20 World Cup at home

South Korea will open camp this weekend in preparation for the FIFA U-20 World Cup at home.Head coach Shin Tae-yong will assemble his U-20 players on Sunday at the National Football Center in Paju, north of Seoul in Gyeonggi Province. They will also host a four-nation invitational tournament from March 25 to 30. The draw for the FIFA U-20 World Cup takes place in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, on March 15, 2017. (Yonhap)The U-20 World Cup will take place from May 20 to June 11 in six cities. In a dra

SoccerMarch 16, 2017

Figure skater Cha Jun-hwan 2nd in short program at junior worlds with new personal best

South Korean teen figure skater Cha Jun-hwan ranked second in the short program with a new personal best score at the junior world championships on Wednesday.Cha scored 82.34 points to open the International Skating Union World Junior Figure Skating Championships in Taipei City, Chinese Taipei. Cha sits 1.14 points behind the leader, Dmitri Aliev of Russia.Aliev won the ISU Junior Grand Prix Final in December, with Cha finishing third at the time.South Korean teen figure skater Cha Jun-hwan (Yon

More SportsMarch 15, 2017

Host Korea drawn into tough group with Argentina, England, Guinea at U-20 World Cup

Host South Korea has been drawn into a tough group for the upcoming FIFA U-20 World Cup.South Korea on Wednesday was paired with six-time tournament champions Argentina, European powerhouse England and African side Guinea in Group A at the draw ceremony for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Suwon, some 30 kilometers south of Seoul. As the host, South Korea had already been seeded at the top of Group A.  South Korea will stage the FIFA U-20 World Cup from May 20 to June 11 in six cities: Cheonan, Daejeo

SoccerMarch 15, 2017

Korean skeleton slider to battle idol for No. 1 ranking in Olympic rehearsal

South Korea's best Olympic medal hopeful in skeleton will battle his idol for the world No. 1 ranking at an Olympic rehearsal at home this week.Yun Sung-bin, currently No. 2 in men's skeleton, will be the home-crowd favorite at the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation World Cup starting Friday at Alpensia Sliding Center in PyeongChang, host of the 2018 Winter Olympics located some 180 kilometers east of Seoul. It will be the eighth and final World Cup race of the season, and also the

Olympic GamesMarch 15, 2017

Veteran speed skater wary of European rivals

Veteran South Korean speed skater Lee Seung-hoon said Tuesday he's wary of emerging European rivals in his main event ahead of the Winter Olympics on home ice.Lee returned home after winning the men's mass start gold at the International Skating Union World Cup Speed Skating Final in Stavanger, Norway, on Sunday. South Korean speed skater Lee Seung-hoon speaks to reporters at Incheon International Airport on March 14, 2017. (Yonhap)He beat Jorrit Bergsma of the Netherlands by 0.09 second for his

More SportsMarch 14, 2017

PyeongChang Olympics can unite Koreans amid political turmoil

With South Korea reeling from the ouster of the president, the Winter Games to be held in the country next year will help unite the people here, the global Olympic chief said Tuesday.Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, said the Olympic Games have the power to bring people together, and the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, some 180 kilometers east of Seoul, will come at "an important moment" for South Korea. Thomas Bach (right), president of the International Olympi

Olympic GamesMarch 14, 2017

Korean U-20 football coach believes Maradona gave 'positive energy' ahead of group draw

South Korea's under-20 national football team head coach Shin Tae-yong said Tuesday he believes that Argentine football legend Diego Maradona provided "positive energy" to his team ahead of the group draw for the FIFA U-20 World Cup. Shin joined Maradona and Argentine football star Pablo Aimar to play a special 5-on-5 mini football match at Hwaseong Haenggung Palace in Suwon, some 30 kilometers south of Seoul, to promote the U-20 World Cup. South Korea is the host of the U-20 World Cup that will

SoccerMarch 14, 2017

IOC President Bach receives honorary degree at nat'l sports university

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach on Tuesday received an honorary doctorate from South Korea's only national sports university.Korea National Sport University conferred the doctoral degree in physical education on Bach in a ceremony at its Seoul campus, recognizing the German's role in the development of sports and his contribution to global peace through the Olympic Games. IOC President Thomas Bach (Yonhap)Bach, 63, has been leading the Olympic body since 2013.Bach, a fencin

Olympic GamesMarch 14, 2017

AFC asked to protect Korean players, fans in World Cup qualifier in China

South Korea's football governing body said Tuesday it has officially asked the Asian Football Confederation and its Chinese counterpart to prepare safety measures for Korean players and fans in the upcoming World Cup qualifying match in China. The Korea Football Association said the AFC and the Chinese Football Association will be asked to provide protections for Korean players and fans in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier slated for March 23 in Changsha, China.The match between South Korea and

SoccerMarch 14, 2017

Host Korea avoids powerhouses in group stage for FIFA U-20 World Cup

Host South Korea has avoided powerhouses in the group stage for this year's FIFA U-20 World Cup.FIFA on Tuesday unveiled its four "pots" for the quadrennial event set to open on May 20 in South Korea, with six host cities staging matches for 24 nations.Countries in the same pot will not be drawn into the same group. The 24 countries will be paired into six groups, and the top two teams from each, plus the four best third-place nations, will reach the knockout stage.As the host, South Korea has b

SoccerMarch 14, 2017

Diego Maradona entertains Korean fans; asks for more support for U-20 World Cup

Argentine football legend Diego Maradona showed off his skills and entertained delighted South Korean fans in a special football match here Tuesday.Maradona landed in South Korea on Monday with fellow Argentine football star Pablo Aimar to attend the drawing ceremony for the FIFA U-20 World Cup. The U-20 World Cup, featuring 24 teams, will be played from May 20 to June 11 in six South Korean cities: Cheonan, Daejeon, Incheon, Jeju, Jeonju and Suwon. Argentine football legend Diego Maradona celeb

SoccerMarch 14, 2017

Two Korean clubs aim for 1st win at ACL this week

Two South Korean football clubs will aim to collect their first win at the 2017 Asian Football Confederation Champions League this week.FC Seoul and Suwon Samsung Bluewings will resume their AFC Champions League group stage action, hoping to end their winless drought. Seoul are the defending champions of the top flight K League Classic, while Suwon are the reigning Korea Football Association Cup winners. (Yonhap)They are two of the four South Korean clubs at this year's ACL, along with Jeju Unit

SoccerMarch 13, 2017

Junior figure skater looking to make history at worlds

After making national history at virtually every stop this season, South Korean teenage figure skater Cha Jun-hwan will look to make even more in his season finale this week.Cha, 15, will take the ice at the International Skating Union World Junior Figure Skating Championships in Taipei City, Chinese Taipei. The men's short program is scheduled for Wednesday, followed by free skate on Thursday. In this file photo taken on Jan. 8, 2017, South Korean figure skater Cha Jun-hwan performs his free sk

More SportsMarch 13, 2017

S. Korean women's football coach concerned about mental game ahead of NK showdown

South Korean women's national football coach Yoon Duk-yeo said Monday he's concerned about the mental aspect of the upcoming showdown against North Korea in Pyongyang.South Korea will travel across the border for the AFC Women's Asian Cup qualifying tournament starting on April 3. South Korea will face North Korea, Uzbekistan, Hong Kong and India in Group B. South Korean national women's football head coach Yoon Duk-yeo speaks at a press conference in Seoul on March 13, 2017. (Yonhap)Only the to

SoccerMarch 13, 2017

Nat'l football coach vows to overcome intimidating atmosphere in China

South Korea football coach Uli Stielike said Monday his squad will try to overcome an intimidating atmosphere in China as the teams meet amid deepening tensions over a political issue.  South Korea unveiled a 24-man roster for the two matches in the final Asian World Cup qualifying round for the 2018 FIFA World Cup this month. The Taeguk Warriors will travel to China on March 23 and host Syria five days later in Group A play. South Korea men's football coach Uli Stielike poses for a photo ahead

SoccerMarch 13, 2017

Domestic league strikers to lead attack in World Cup qualifiers

A pair of domestic league strikers will lead the attack for South Korea in upcoming World Cup qualifying matches.The Korea Football Association unveiled a 24-man roster for the two matches in the final Asian World Cup qualifying round this month. South Korea will travel to China on March 23 and host Syria five days later in Group A play. Kim Shin-wook of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors celebrates his goal against Jeonnam Dragons in a K League Classic football match at Jeonju Sports Complex in Jeonju, Nor

SoccerMarch 13, 2017