Austria's Salzburg, South Korean city of Pyeongchang and Russian city of Sochi were named Thursday by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as Candidate Cities to host the 2014 Winter Olympics.

The three cities beat out the challenge from Bulgarian capital Sofia, Jaca in Spain, Almaty in Kazakhstan and Georgia's Borjomi.

The IOC executive board, whose 15 members include IOC President Jacques Rogge, announced the narrowing of the field during a three-day meeting at its headquarters in Switzerland.

The final decision on the host city will be made by the full IOC membership in Guatemala in July 2007.

The board based its decision in part on a written report compiled by IOC experts evaluating 11 different criteria, including general infrastructure, sports venues, security, financing and government support.

Salzburg finished on top in the overall ratings with a score between 8 and 9 out of 10. Pyeongchang was second with a figure of 7-8, with Sochi next at 6-7.

(Xinhua News Agency June 23, 2006)