PyeongChang delivered its candidature file Monday to the International Olympic Committee for its bid to host the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Cho Yang-ho, CEO of Pyeong-Chang’s 2018 bid committee, joined by Korean bobsleigh team coach Kang Kwang-bae and short-track speed-skating gold medalist Choi Min-kyung, headed to Lausanne, Switzerland to hand in the finalized bid book to the IOC ahead of the Jan. 11 deadline.

“We believe we have developed a strong technical file and a compelling Winter Games plan that will create an ideal setting for the athletes, fans and the Olympic family,” Cho said in a statement.

The candidate file, which responds to 261 questions posed by the IOC, was confirmed last week by major bid committee stakeholders and government representatives. The content includes detailed proposals for an athlete-focused Winter Games and PyeongChang’s efficient multi-transportation network, including the new high-speed railway that will connect Seoul and PyeongChang in 50 minutes, according to the bid committee.

Two other bidding cities ― Munich, Germany and France’s Annecy ― have also presented their files. The IOC evaluation commission will now review the submitted files before sending a special delegation to conduct on-site inspections of all three candidate cities starting February. IOC officials are expected to visit PyeongChang Feb. 14-20.

By Oh Kyu-wook (596story@heraldcorp.com)