Stayaway fear as -10C freeze threatens the winter games
FREEZING temperatures of -10C (14F) could see spectators shun tomorrow’s opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in South Korea, organisers fear.
After a rehearsal in the open stadium in PyeongChang, where wind chill took the temperature down to -23C, many visitors said conditions were too cold. Security scanners stopped working and credit card readers froze up.
One guest, JoongAng said: “I couldn’t stand the cold weather so had to leave in the middle of the rehearsal.”
Wind shields have been set up and 40 huge heaters installed in a bid to keep crowds warm.
Spectators will be handed a “central heating pack” on arrival including a coat, hat, a blanket, chemical heating packs for hands and feet and a heated cushion.
The brutally cold conditions in the city are warping skis and forcing some athletes to throw them out after training runs, a skiing course worker said.
Craig Randell, a technician working at the Yongpyong Alpine Centre, were the slalom, giant slalom and team skiiing events will be held later this month, said: “You can’t do anything about it but with the cold temperatures, the snow adheres to the ski base and twists it. They are turning their skis to garbage.”
Meanwhile one of Britain’s leading medal hopes snowboarder Katie Ormerod will compete despite fracturing a wrist training yesterday.
The 20-year-old said: “I slipped off a rail and have a minor fracture to my wrist. I’m totally fine and getting ready to compete on Sunday.”