The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced that the South Korean city of Pyeongchang has been selected to host the 2018 Winter Games.

Pyeongchang was awarded the right to stage the event at the 123rd IOC Session in Durban, South Africa, today (6 July) after securing 63 votes in the first round of voting.

The city, which had previously failed to land the 2010 and 2014 Winter Games, held off competition from Munich (Germany) and Annecy (France) – 25 votes and 7 votes respectively.

IOC president Jacques Rogge said: "The three bids were excellent. Each city could have organised perfect Olympic Winter Games, but ultimately one had to be chosen.

"I would like to congratulate our Korean friends very warmly, and I am sure we will have great success with them in our future collaboration."

Pyeongchang bid committee chair Yang Ho Cho said: "Over the course of 10 years of bidding we listened and learnt from the Olympic family.

"Today, our efforts and commitment to hosting the Olympic Games have been rewarded."

Colin Moynihan, chair of the British Olympic Association, offered his congratulations to the successful Pyeongchang 2018 bid team.

Moynihan said: "As the first Asian city outside of Japan to host the winter Games, Pyeongchang will bring the excitement of the winter Olympics to a new audience."

Amy Williams, Skeleton gold medallist at the 2010 Games in Vancouver, Canada, added: "It's great to take winter sports out of its traditional winter haunts of Europe and America and give Far East Asia a fantastic opportunity to further encourage participation in winter sports."

Pyeongchang's rival bidders also congratulated the South Korean city. A spokesperson for Munich said: "Congratulations to Pyeongchang. They were good opponents and we are sure they will stage an excellent Winter Games in 2018."

A spokesperson for Annecy's bid added: "Annecy 2018 would like to congratulate Pyeongchang for being awarded the right to stage the 2018 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games."

Image: Pyeongchang 2018