Pyeongchang 2018 President Cho Yang-ho admits there will be challenges in the build-up to the Games ©Getty Images

Pyeongchang 2018 has showed the world that they can deliver a successful Winter Olympics and Paralympics following the first test event, its President Cho Yang-ho has claimed but admitted they still face a “challenging” two years in the lead-up to the Games.

Cho, credited for the turnaround in preparations for the first Winter Olympics to take place in South Korea following fears that things were going wrong, was speaking on the two years to go milestone.

Pyeongchang 2018 is due to get underway with the Opening Ceremony on February 9 and last until February 25.

The Paralympics are scheduled to be will be held from March 9 to 18.

Pyeongchang 2018 received widespread praise following the first test event, an International Ski Federation (FIS) Alpine Skiing World Cup which took place last Saturday and Sunday (February 6 and 7) at the Jeongseon Alpine Centre.

Gunilla Lindberg, chair of the International Olympic Committee (IOC)Coordination Commission chair,  competition “100 points out of 100”.

She said that the event had given the IOC confidence in Pyeongchang 2018.

FIS President Gian-Franco Kasper, meanwhile, claimed it had made them “very optimistic about the whole preparation for the Olympic Games”.

The praise came despite fears that the venue would not be ready in time to stage the competition following problems with the construction of a gondola, the seating compartment on a ski lift.

The course at Jeongseon was also mostly praised by the athletes, though it was criticised by Italy's Olympic downhill silver medallist Christof Innerhofer.

Pyeongchang 2018 received praise from the IOC following the first test event for the Games in two years' time
Pyeongchang 2018 received praise from the IOC following the first test event for the Games in two years' time ©Getty Images

"It will be a very busy and challenging two years ahead,” Cho said.

“But just this past weekend, we showed the world that we can deliver, and deliver well on our promises to host the world’s best athletes in Korea.

“With the beginning of our test events, Pyeongchang 2018 has moved into the operational phase of Games preparation.

“We are learning many lessons, and we were especially encouraged by the positive response from athletes this past weekend. 

“During the remaining two years, operations will be improved through close cooperation with the IOC, International Federations and various client groups to make sure everything is ready.”

The next key marker in gauging the state of Pyeongchang 2018’s preparations for the Games is due to set to come with a FIS Freestyle Skiing World Cup event, due to be held at the Bokwang Snow Park from February 18 to 20.

That will be followed by the FIS Snowboard World Cup competition from February 19 to 21 at the same venue.

During the coming year, Pyeongchang 2018 plan to will reveal the mascots for the Games, as well as beginning their volunteer recruitment and launching ticket sales to the general public.