By Nick Butler at the Main Press Centre in Incheon

Thomas Bach meeting with Pyeongchang 2018 chairman Yang Ho Cho ©Pyeongchang 2018International Olympic Committee (IOC) head Thomas Bach has met new Pyeongchang 2018 President Yang Ho Cho for the first time since he was elected President of the Organising Committee in July.


It comes shortly before the Opening Ceremony of the Asian Games here, 157 kilometres to the west of Pyeongchang, this evening, where Bach will be among those in attendance. 

Bach attended a special luncheon in his honour, where others present included Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Kim Jong-deok, and Korean Olympic Committee head Kim Jung-haeng, as well as various leading figures spanning a broad range of professions. 

It forms a key part of the 2018 Winter Olympic and Paralympic host city's efforts to show everything remains on track following the election of Cho, chairman of business giants Hanjin Group, which came after Kim Jin-sun announcing his resignation. 

"We thank new President Cho for the initiative to gather together such important constituents from civil society - including sports, business and politics," said Bach afterwards. 

"A successful Olympic Games needs the full support and unity of all major stakeholders.

"Today's luncheon showed that Pyeongchang 2018 has the strong backing of all parties."

Thomas Bach addressing leading figures from Pyeongchang 2018, along with Coordination chair Gunilla Lindberg ©Pyeongchang 2018Thomas Bach addressing leading figures from Pyeongchang 2018, along with Coordination chair Gunilla Lindberg ©Pyeongchang 2018



The luncheon took place in central Seoul, following Bach's visit to the Presidential Office of Cheong Wa Dae, generally known as the Blue House, to meet South Korean President Park Geun-hye, another figure expected to attend the Incheon 2014 Opening Ceremony.

The two leaders discussed various issues relating to Pyeongchang 2018, including the reiteration of South Korean Governmental support of the Games, something also illustrated by the subsequent luncheon.

"President Bach's visit is a testament to the strong support of the IOC and I greatly appreciate his leadership which is critical to our success," Cho said.

"We are also pleased that leaders have gathered here from all sectors of Korea's business and sports community, as well as the leaders from the Central and Provincial Government and [the] NOC (National Olympic Committee), to show their commitment to the IOC and full support of Pyeongchang.

"This support is the key to our success and we are all looking ahead and focused on hosting the best Winter Games ever."

A meeting is also scheduled for today with IOC Coordination Committee chair Gunilla Lindberg along with Christophe Dubi, who replaced Gilbert Felli as Olympic Games Executive Director earlier this month.

Progress in relation to the construction on venues and transport infrastructure development are among items up for discussion.

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