Three cities bidding for the right to host the 2014 Olympic Winter Games, including Korea's Pyeongchang, are making last-minute appeals for support following the opening of the 119th International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Guatemala City.

The IOC held an opening ceremony for the annual general assembly Wednesday morning in Guatemala City, with around one hundred IOC commissioners and officials from the three candidate cities in attendance.

The gathering has drawn international attention, as members are about to select the host of the 2014 Winter Olympics among Pyeongchang, Russia’s Sochi and Austria’s Salzburg.

Currently, Pyeongchang and Sochi are said to be ahead, but they are continuing to woo support while also holding onto the votes secured thus far.

Amid the neck-and-neck competition, Pyeongchang’s bid committee held a final dress rehearsal of its presentation at a local hotel.

The final winner is expected to be announced at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Korean time.