By Nick Butler

Pyeongchang 2018’s Kwak Young-jin pictured during the fourth IPC Project Review visit ©Pyeongchang 2018Pyeongchang 2018 organisers have been urged to "start putting plans into action" following the fourth Project Review inspection by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).


In two days of meetings in Seoul, an IPC delegation led by the body's chief executive Xavier Gonzalez met Organising Committee officials including Kwak Young-jin, vice-president of planning and administration, as well as representatives from Gangwon Province and the Korean Paralympic Committee.

The IPC were updated on areas including venues, accommodation, accessibility, the Paralympic Village, transport and sport.

They were also briefed on preparations for the "Actualising the Dream" project, a promise from the bid phase to use the Games to develop winter Para-sport, set to be in full swing later this year.

"I would like to thank the Pyeongchang Organising Committee for presenting a number of detailed plans during the two days in Seoul," Gonzalez said afterwards.

"We are now almost three years out from the Games and it is time to start putting the plans into action.

"A lot of work stills needs to be done between now and March 9, 2018 when the Paralympic Winter Games begin.

"This year is a critical 12 months in shaping up the future of the Games."

All the Olympic and Paralympic venues for Pyeongchang 2018 have now been finalised ©Pyeongchang 2018All the Olympic and Paralympic venues for Pyeongchang 2018 have now been finalised ©Pyeongchang 2018



The visit came after a busy start to the year for Pyeongchang 2018, with the International Olympic Committee having also urged South Korean organisers to step up their preparations following a similar Project Review inspection.

"I'd like to thank the IPC for all of the invaluable advice and feedback they have offered in the Plenary Session and side meetings during the last days," added Kwak Young-jin.

"I believe the IPC's expertise and know-how will greatly help us move forward towards successful Pyeongchang 2018 Paralympic Games."

The Games are scheduled to take place between 9 and 18 March, following on from the previous month's Olympic version.

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