It’s too cold at the Winter Olympics!

BRITISH athletes have been advised to skip the Winter Olympics opening ceremony over health fears caused by the deep freeze gripping pyeongchang. It is expected to be the coldest Games since Lillehammer in 1994, with temperatures currently beneath freezing in the day and dropping as low as -21°C at night. With the three-hour ceremony at the roofless stadium not starting until 8pm local time, there are concerns over the health of the 35,000 fans and athletes attending. British team bosses have advised their athletes not to go if they are due to compete within 48 hours. Organisers, meanwhile, admitted on Tuesday that some supporters have handed back tickets following saturday’s rehearsal when the cold was so severe that audiences walked out. ‘some have cancelled their ticket for the opening ceremony,’ said pyeongchang 2018 president Lee hee-beom, who confirmed that they would be distributing hot packs, seatwarmers, blankets and hats to spectators. There have also been concerns that strong winds could wreak havoc with the opening events, with ski jumping qualification scheduled for tomorrow. The issues come at a time when organisers are attempting to contain a norovirus outbreak. around 1,200 private security staff have been taken off duty and replaced with military personnel after 41 people complained of sickness. Organisers claim the last-minute switch will have no impact on security at Games venues, with the event being held only 80km south of the border with North Korea.