Rogge bowled over by Olympic crowds

8220;The enthusiasm of the crowds I did not expect it to be so good,8221; Rogge said,revealing he had taken aback by the size of crowds at the sailing venue in Weymouth.

8220;What I saw in terms of the crowd on the hill overlooking the yachting at Weymouth was extraordinary.

8220;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.8221;

Rogge said the successful campaign of British athletes had also been crucial to the success of the Games.

8220;It took two days to get a bronze and then from that slow start what an acceleration,8221; he said.

8220;I remember vividly meeting with the British Olympic Association BOA in Beijing four years ago and they were worried about being able to repeat their medals performance here.

8220;They needn8217;t have worried.8221;