There was disruption at the Winter Olympics on Sunday - because of an outbreak of real snow. Among the criticisms of these Games has b...
There was disruption at the Winter Olympics on Sunday - because of an outbreak of real snow.
Among the criticisms of these Games has been the reliance on 100 per cent fake snow, owing to the lack of precipitation in the region, which typically receives less than one inch of snow per month in winter.
But a blizzard hit over the weekend, leading to the cancellation of events as several inches fell in the space of just 24 hours.
The women's slopestyle skiing was postponed on Sunday due to an outbreak of real snow
Volunteers at Genting Snow Park tried desperately to clear the course of the snow
Addition of real snow on top of artificial snow created hazardous conditions for competitors
In Zhangjiakou, at the Genting Snow Park, the women’s slopestyle skiing qualifiers were delayed and then put back until Monday because of the heavy snow.
British medal hope, Kirsty Muir, who was fifth in the Big Air, is due to compete, along with Katie Summerhayes.
The second day of women’s downhill practise at the National Alpine Ski Centre in Yanqing was also scrapped, but the men’s giant slalom went ahead.
Visibility also became an issue at the venue leading to delays of some events until Monday
A paramedic gives aid to injured Elisa Maria Nakab of Italy during warm up before the event
British medal hopeful Kirsty Muir is hopeful of medalling in the slopestyle event
With the runs and courses already covered in the more icy artificial snow, the new layers of fresh snow made the surfaces hazardous and unstable.
Visibility also became an issue.
The International Olympic Committee said 'thousands of staff' had been scrambled to clear snow off competition areas.
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