Pyeongchang Announced as Destination for 2018 Winter Olympics

The International Olympic Committee announced Pyeongchang today as the destination of the 2018 Winter Olympics. The announcement was made after only one round of secret balloting by the group's 95 members in Durban, South Africa.

Pyeongchang was able to best Munich, Germany and Annecy, France for the rights to the 2018 Winter Games. In order to win, Pyeongchang needed a majority of at least 48 votes.

Pyeongchang was long considered the favorite to win the games after coming up just short in 2010 and 2014 in its pursuit of a Winter Olympics. This time around the South Korean city made sure to remind the committee that it has doggedly pursued the Olympics for a long time.

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak tugged at the heartstrings of the committee members when delivering the country's main pitch.

I believe it is my destiny to stand in front of you for the third time, he said, his voice choking and eyes welling with tears. Our people have waited for over 10 years for the Winter Olympics. Today I humbly ask for your support for the chance of hosting the Winter Games for the first time in our country.

Munich, considered to be the major opponent to Pyeongchang heading into the vote, also tried to remind voters of its long pursuit of the winter games. Thomas Bach, the senior leader of the Munich bid, reminded the voters that it has been more than 70 years since Germany last hosted the Winter Olympics.

Munich, which lasted host the 1972 Summer Olympics, hoped to become the first city to host both a Winter and Summer Olympics but came up short.