The IOC said that the Milan Cortina Games “surpassed expectations despite a large number of obstacles in the run-up.” Presiding over her first games, IOC President Kirsty Coventry said, “Over the last two weeks we have seen and experienced incredible Games. I have no words really.” Milan Cortina President Giovanni Malago said, “These have been very challenging, difficult years for a series of circumstances. … But we are all satisfied.” When the Olympics got under way “most operations went off without any major problems, surprising organisers.” The Games did “not face a major crisis while the winter weather played along to offer impressive snowy Alpine backdrops” (REUTERS, 2/22).