SEOUL: South Korean officials expressed the country`s `strong will` to host the 2036 Summer Games during a visit to International Olympic Committee headquarters this week, sports chiefs said on Wednesday.

North Jeolla Province and its capital Jeonju in February beat out Seoul as South Korea`s candidate in the race to stage the Olympics in 2036.

A delegation led by Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC) president Ryu Seung-min met outgoing IOC chief Thomas Bach in Lausanne on Tuesday as South Korea ramps up its case to hold the Games.

Ryu and his colleagues `conveyed that the government, sports community and local government have a strong will to host the Olympics`, the KSOC said in a statement.

`In particular they emphasised Jeonju`s suitability as a host city based on its historical and cultural assetsand sustainableinfrastructure.`Seoulhosted the Summer Olympics in 1988.

Numerous countries have expressed an interest in holding the 2036 Games, among them potential first-timers India and South Africa.-AFP