Seb Coe has come to the defence of the Vancouver Winter Olympics following the surfeit of media criticism the Games have received.

Coe is in Canada along with London 2012 colleagues to see how Vancouver is coping with the challenge of hosting an Olympics. The Games have had a number of problems, which have caused some sections of the media to label them a failure.

A lack of snow on Cypress Mountain has caused the postponement of some events, and the death of the 21-year-old Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili cast an uncomfortable shadow over the opening day of competition.

Coe, the London 2012 chairman, says he is keeping a watchful eye over Vancouver’s efforts, and believes the Canadians have done an excellent job so far. “I haven’t read any media while I have been here because I have been here with our observation teams and secondees, but what I witness here is that the stadiums are full, the seats are full of passionate fans, the streets are busy and there’s a lot going on,” he said.

“There has been fantastic sport and live sites that are showing sport for those who cannot get into the Games, so that’s not bad for a Games that is only halfway through.”

Twenty-eight thousand spectators had to have their tickets refunded after the warm weather caused snow to melt at Cypress Mountain, which hosts snowboarding and freestyle skiing. Despite this, most events have been almost full to capacity, both in Whistler and in Vancouver.

Coe, a double Olympic champion, believes Britain’s passion for the Olympics will ensure that venues will be packed in 2012. “I think that we will, as a sporting nation, come out and support our own teams and others from around the world,” said Coe, who was speaking at the launch of London 2012 international sports legacy programme, International Inspiration.

“That’s what has been so good around here. I have been in a stadium where fans have cheered people from countries far away from their own. The one big thing is that you don’t want empty stadia at the Olympic Games and whether it is ice hockey, curling or speed skating, I haven’t seen an empty seat in the house, and that’s a good sign.”

Source: The Guardian