Rogge bowled over by Olympic crowds
International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge gave a
glowing assessment of the London Olympics on Thursday, saying the huge
crowds at the event were the cornerstone of its success.
Rogge told a group of journalists that large crowds which had
thronged the Games -- an estimated 6.9 million spectators -- had
exceeded expectations.
“The enthusiasm of the crowds I did not expect it to be so good,”
Rogge said, revealing he had taken aback by the size of crowds at the
sailing venue in Weymouth.
“What I saw in terms of the crowd on the hill overlooking the
yachting at Weymouth was extraordinary. “It is important you see the
home crowds participating actively in a Games. I remember in Vancouver
in 2010, people coming out onto the streets to celebrate in the middle
of winter. That was impressive.” Rogge said the successful campaign of
British athletes had also been crucial to the success of the Games.
AFP |