Bach said that he hopes politicians will build on momentum for dialogue created during the GamesGETTY IMAGES
IOC President Thomas Bach yesterday praised the Pyeongchang Games as "successful," and "lauded great organization and competition facilities" for the first Winter Games to take place in South Korea, according to YONHAP NEWS. This event also was "highlighted by the presence of North Korean athletes for the first time in an Olympic Games held south of the border." Bach said that he "hopes politicians will build on momentum for dialogue created" during the Games. He added that the "sporting world has done what it could." Bach said having the players from the two Koreas together on the same squad was "a strong message that transcends sports and the Olympic Games" (YONHAP NEWS, 2/25). In South Korea, Ock Hyun-ju noted this year's Games were marked by "fierce diplomatic efforts on the sidelines of the sporting event, intent to pave the way for peace on the Korean Peninsula." The Games "left behind a legacy of peace and reconciliation for the world after a year of tensions heightened by North Korea’s nuclear and missile tests" (KOREAHERALD.com, 2/25). The AP's Ted Anthony noted during the Closing Ceremony, Senior North Korean official Kim Yong Chol, South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Ivanka Trump "sat in two rows of seats behind the Olympic rings, meant to represent a competition of peace and international unity" (AP, 2/25). In DC, Jerry Brewer writes before the Pyeongchang Games began, they were "declared the Peace Olympics by organizers." Despite the "political sensitivity and some clumsy moments and continued U.S.-North Korea tension," Pyeongchang "succeeded in providing hope." By simply being themselves, the participants "made the Peace Olympics turn into more than a naive theme"(WASHINGTON POST, 2/26).
A JOB WELL DONE: In L.A., David Wharton wrote it is a "tribute to the enduring qualities of the Olympics -- and the tenacity of the South Koreans" -- that predicaments such as the norovirus and constant weather delays "faded into the background, allowing the athletes to grab center stage." Even with the wind and cold, Pyeongchang "served as a welcome contrast to the warm, dry conditions and slushy snow at recent Winter Olympics." The grandstands were "often half-empty -- despite organizers' claims about strong ticket sales -- but the crowds were friendly and enthusiastic" (L.A. TIMES, 2/25). The NATIONAL POST's Steve Simmons wrote this was a "rather perfect Olympics in a most imperfect place." Simmons: "The Athlete's Village got high marks from those who lived there. The buses ran when the buses were supposed to run. The venues were of reasonable calibre and easily accessed" (NATIONALPOST.com, 2/25). USA TODAY's Christine Brennan writes these were a "far-flung Games, with athletes spread from the sea to the mountains." Critics could say that there was "no 'there there,' no centralized gathering spot as in say, downtown Vancouver, and they probably would be right." A less-organized group could have "turned these logistics into a nightmare." Calling these Games efficient is to give them the "ultimate compliment." It is possible "no Olympic Games have ever had so many moving pieces all run on time" (USA TODAY, 2/26).
EFFICIENCY GOLD: In Minneapolis, Rachel Blount writes Pyeongchang "ran the world’s largest sporting event in remarkably efficient fashion" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 2/26). In Boston, John Powers writes Pyeongchang put on "impeccably organized, irresistibly welcoming Games with spectacular venues and flawless transportation" (BOSTON GLOBE, 2/26). SI.com's Jim Butts wrote the native South Koreans were "nothing but excited to welcome us to their country, share their culture, and cheer on the athletes." Butts: "Whether encouraging us to try the kimchi, or fighting their own fears of speaking a foreign language, Koreans did it with a smile" (SI.com, 2/24). In Minneapolis, Chip Scoggins writes the Korean people were "incredibly generous hosts in making sure these Games ran with precision while treating visitors with warmth and kindness" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 2/26). NBC's Mike Tirico said, "Even in one of the coldest Winter Games in recent memory, the host offered unmistakable warmth with their spirit, their smiles and their pride” (“Winter Olympics,” NBC, 2/25).
SOMETHING'S MISSING: In Toronto, Bruce Arthur writes the Pyeongchang Games were a "strangely hollow Olympics." The crowds were "sparse to middling, unless there were Koreans competing in speedskating or curling." There was "no buzz, and only spots of spirit." The venues were "separate and sterile, and a quarter of them have no post-Games legacy plan; the Olympic Park was a concrete field with swooping stadiums, endless lines for food, and corporate pop-ups." The medal ceremonies were "remote, almost invisible." The volunteers were "wonderful, as they usually are." But there was "no obvious heart of these Games, no clear centre" (TORONTO STAR, 2/26). In Denver, Mark Kiszla wrote, "These were the Winter Games without soul." The hosts were "friendly and efficient." Kiszla: "But on the night I went to the medals plaza ... it had all the ambiance of picking up a lawnmower from the customer-service desk at Home Depot." The $75M stadium built for the Opening and Closing Ceremony "will be torn down," which is better than "letting an Olympic venue rot, as we have seen happen in Brazil" (DENVER POST, 2/25).
WASTING NO TIME: USA TODAY's Martin Rogers noted before Dutch speed skater Koen Verweij had stepped off the infield after the mass start speedskating event on Saturday, the Gangneung Olympic Ovall was being "ripped up and repurposed, competitive padding pulled down and the Pyeongchang 2018 dragged off." Before long, the venue will be "turned into some kind of refrigeration or storage center" (USATODAY.com, 2/24).
