Rogge: Vancouver has “embraced” Winter Games 26/02/2010 |
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International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Jacques Rogge has praised Vancouver 2010, saying he has never seen a city “embrace” the Winter Olympics so warmly.
The Games have been hit by a wave of negative headlines after problems with the weather and the death of Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili.
But Rogge said: "The Olympics are very, very good and this will be stressed in my closing speech. The athletes are happy, the public are excited, the infrastructure is good and the transport is functioning.
"TV figures are also superior to the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City, but the most important thing is the enthusiasm of the people. I have never seen a city embrace the Games in this way.
"Sydney in 2000 was certainly at the same level, but you can't compare Summer Games with Winter Olympics. The Winter Games in Lillehammer in 1994 were also superb but the city didn't have the same profile."
Rogge believes Canada's first ever gold on home soil – won by freestyle skier Alexandre Bilodeau – was the turning point for the event.
"The Games started in difficult circumstances with the death of Kumaritashvili," Rogge added.
"This also weighed on Canadians. But when Alexandre Bilodeau won freestyle gold, it kick-started the Games. It was the beginning of joy for the country."
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