The International Olympic Committee said Thursday it is "convinced" that PyeongChang, the South Korean host of the 2018 Winter Games, is well on track to stage a successful competition.

The IOC's Coordination Commission, headed by long-time IOC member Gunilla Lindberg, wrapped up its three-day visit to Gangneung, some 230 kilometers east of Seoul, after inspecting Olympic venues and meeting with local officials. Gangneung lies east of PyeongChang and will stage hockey and skating events during the Olympics.

At a press conference, Lindberg said she was "satisfied with the progress, particularly in construction" by the host.

"A lot of work still needs to be done here, but we leave Gangneung very satisfied with the progress," she said. "We're convinced that all the venues will be ready for the test events (in early 2016) and the Olympic Games. This positive momentum now needs to be continued to allow the organizing committee and Korea to deliver its vision and commitments. PyeongChang and its partners will need to focus simultaneously on multiple objectives."

PyeongChang has been under pressure to speed up its preparations, and its construction delays and lack of corporate sponsorships have been well documented.

Organizers here have had to fend off speculation that they'd been asked to consider moving some events to outside PyeongChang, or even outside South Korea, to help save costs. Then last week, Cho Yang-ho, president of the organizing committee, declared that PyeongChang isn't considering co-hosting the Olympics, saying only natural disasters that affect pre-existing venue plans would alter the committee's stance.

While those calling for sharing the Games say doing so would help PyeongChang financially, organizers counter that it makes little economic sense to co-host the Olympics. They reason that building additional infrastructure -- such as athletes' residence and media centers -- would lead to extra costs.

On Thursday, Lindberg sided with the organizers' sentiment, flatly rejecting any talk of making PyeongChang co-host the Olympics. After the IOC's project review on PyeongChang's preparations in January, Lindberg had said the host's venue master plan was "finalized," and she reiterated her position.

"I approved the venue master plan in January and all the venues are confirmed both for the test events and the Olympic Games," she said. "(Any talk of co-hosting) was closed in January."

Pressed further to offer any criticism on PyeongChang's work, Lindberg said Olympic hosts are always bound to experience challenges along the way.

"I don't remember if we've ever had an organizing committee that didn't have some kind of difficulties," she said. "We've identified them with President Cho and we've moved forward. I thank him for his quick action, and we have to focus on the future."

Lindberg also said the Integration Working Group, a joint task force with representatives from PyeongChang, the IOC and the local government, held its inaugural meeting this week. The entity was formed to help expedite the decision-making process, and Lindberg said the first meeting put all those involved in the right direction.

"We discussed close cooperation and also addressed the importance of getting the venues ready," she said. "We also discussed how to have quick decisions about the budget."

Cho called the IOC's visit and a subsequent series of meetings "a turning point" for PyeongChang.

"Based on the feedback that we have received over the past week, we will work on issues that need to be addressed and further strengthen things we've done well so far," he said. "We will shift our focus from construction to operations. With the issue of co-hosting behind us, we will move forward aggressively and with momentum."

Lindberg identified a lack of international experts in winter sports in South Korea as "a critical area." Lindberg pointed out that experts from overseas should be coming to PyeongChang to first help the local organizers for the test events and then to help the Olympic organizing committee "to fully understand the administration of the Olympic Games."

Kwak Young-jin, the committee's secretary general, responded that the committee has so far hired four experts from overseas, and will add seven more starting next month. Separately, 28 consultants will be brought on board to provide operational assistance. (Yonhap)