IOC gives Pyeongchang Games thumbs-up at halfway mark

PYEONGCHANG: The International Olympic Committee on Sunday gave the thumbs-up to the Pyeongchang winter Olympics at the halfway mark, saying organisers had delivered on promises despite some empty seats in the venues.

The Feb. 9-25 winter Games -- the first to be held in Asia outside Japan -- have not drawn sold-out crowds, with several venues far from filled and organisers bringing in volunteers to fill the seats but the Olympic body said it was satisfied so far.

The Games have seen no major operational disruption, as was the case in previous Olympics such as in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. “Halfway through is a very important point, especially if you can speak about the field of play and athletes’ performances and competitions,” said the Olympic Games Executive Director Christophe Dubi. “What is particularly pleasing is the quality of the fields of play. This is the result of long and hard work.

“The Games also got a major sports boost on Saturday when Czech Ester Ledecka, a rank outsider, caused one of the biggest upsets in winter Olympics history to win the Alpine skiing Super-G title.