International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach arrived in the South Korean Winter Games host city of PyeongChang on Tuesday, with 10 days left until the quadrennial world event.

Bach landed at Incheon International Airport, the main gateway to South Korea, earlier on Tuesday, and took the new KTX express train to PyeongChang, about 180 kilometers east of Seoul.

At Jinbu Station, located near PyeongChang’s ski jumping, cross-country skiing and sliding sports venues, Bach was greeted by about 30 Olympic volunteers. After receiving welcome gifts, Bach handed out commemorative pins to the volunteers in return.

Bach said he was pleased to finally be in the host city. “I have heard over the days and months so many excellent reports about the work of (PyeongChang’s organizing committee),” Bach said.

“We can say the stage is set and now we’re looking forward with great anticipation and with great excitement to a wonderful Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018. The Korean people know that the world is looking on Korea and that the people all over the world are enthusiastic about the news from Korea.”

Bach will chair some key IOC meetings, including an Executive Board meeting and an IOC session, prior to the start of the Feb. 9-25 competition. He will also hold a wrap-up press conference on the day of the closing ceremony.