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Chinese IOC official found dead at 2018 Winter Olympics World Press Briefing

PyeongChang 2018 World Press Briefing
PyeongChang 2018 hosted its World Press Briefing last week at the Alpensia Resort. (Joe Lago)

PyeongChang 2018 president Heebeom Lee confidently talked about the mountain resort area being a “reliable host” for the Winter Olympics at last week’s World Press Briefing. However, a dark cloud has unexpectedly enveloped the South Korea city.

An International Olympic Committee official from China was found dead on Friday, the last day of the World Press Briefing for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Games, Yonhap News Agency reported on Monday.

Police said the 62-year-old IOC official was discovered in his hotel room around 3:30 p.m. on Friday, the last day of PyeongChang 2018’s week-long conference with members of the media, national organization committees and IOC from around the world. The World Press Briefing comprised day-long logistics presentations and tours of the competition venues and accommodations.

Police, who did not reveal the IOC official’s name, are investigating the cause of death.

The next Winter Olympics will be held February 9 through 25 in 2018. PyeongChang, which is about 112 miles east of Seoul, the South Korean capital, will host the alpine events. The skating competitions, including hockey, will be held in Gangneug, an eastern coastal city about 37 miles away from PyeongChang.