South Korea on Tuesday granted a presidential pardon to Lee Kun-hee, former Samsung chairman convicted of tax evasion and breach of trust, to boost the country's chances of hosting the 2018 Winter Olympics.
The cities of Annecy, Munich and Pyeongchang will battle it out to host the 2018 Winter Olympics.
The Black Sea resort town will host the 2014 Winter Olympics, thanks partly to the Russian president's personal campaign
Russia to host Olympic Games
The Austrian city of Salzburg and South Korea's Pyeongchang look to have edged ahead in a tight three-way race for the 2014 Winter Games after the International Olympic Committee said their concepts were "excellent".
The South Korean city of Daegu patted itself on the back on Wednesday after it was selected as host of the 2011 world athletics championships.
Norway will bid to host the Winter Olympics in 2018 and will choose its venue next February.
The Pyrenean city of Jaca will bid for the 2014 Winter Olympics after Spain's Olympic Committee reversed a decision to reject the proposal.
The South Korean city of Pyeongchang is to bid again for the Winter Olympics in 2014 after being selected by the Korean Olympic Committee.
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