Rogge bowled over by Olympic crowds

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge gave a glowing assessment of the London Olympics on Thursday, saying the huge crowds at the event were the cornerstone of its success.

Rogge told a group of journalists that large crowds which had thronged the Games -- an estimated 6.9 million spectators -- had exceeded expectations.

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

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

"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."

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

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

"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 in London.

"They needn't have worried."