By Paul Osborne at the Main Media Centre in Nanjing 

Pyeongchang 2018 President Cho Yang-ho has met with officials of the IOC Coordination Commission here in Nanjing ©Pyeongchang 2018Newly elected head of Pyeongchang 2018 Cho Yang-ho has met here with members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Coordination Commission for the first time since taking over the role last month.

Cho, unanimously elected to the role following the resignation of former President Kim Jin-sun, who quit claiming the project needed new leadership, had a meeting with IOC Coordination Commission chair Gunilla Lindberg, alongside IOC Executive Director Gilbert Felli and his deputy Christophe Dubi.

The meeting gave the two sides an opportunity to talk over several pending issues and upcoming projects as preparations for Pyeongchang 2018 continue in South Korea.

Lindberg appeared happy with the "positive" talks and welcomed Cho back as head of Pyeongchang 2018 after he had led the region's successful bid to host the Winter Olympics and Paralympics

"We had a very positive meeting with President Cho and welcome him back as the leader of the Pyeongchang 2018 Games," said Lindberg.

"We were able to see during our discussions that he realises the scope of the task that lies ahead of him and that he is ready for the challenge.

"We underlined to him that the IOC will continue to fully support the preparations for successful Olympic Games in Pyeongchang in 2018 but that much work remains to be done.

"We have full confidence that the Republic of Korea and Pyeongchang 2018 under President Cho's leadership will deliver on the commitments made in Durban in 2011."

Cho Yang-ho took over as head of Pyeongchang 2018 on July 31 in order to keep his promise to the IOC and deliver a successful Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games ©Pyeonchang 2018Cho Yang-ho took over as head of Pyeongchang 2018 last month to keep his promise to the IOC and deliver a successful Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games ©Pyeonchang 2018



Cho was highly recommended to take his new role by a number of people after the unexpected resignation of Kim.

Although initially turning down the position due to his responsibilities with Hanjin Group, a mammoth conglomeration that includes the Hanjin shipping line and Korean Air, Cho eventually came around to the idea, promising to help fulfil his promise with the IOC to organise a successful Games.

The vice-president of the Korean Olympic Committee, President of the Korea Table Tennis Association since 2008, believes the meeting was a "good opportunity to discuss the progress of Games preparation as well as review key issues of importance".

He added: "We have a long road ahead, but I am committed to the success of the Olympic Games in Pyeongchang and will work closely with the IOC to ensure success."

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