Freezing Temperatures: Pyeongchang 2018 Games To Give Rain Coat, Heating Pad To Spectators

Each spectator attending ceremonies at Pyeongchang 2018 will reportedly be provided with a small blanket as well as a rain coat and a heating pads in an attempt to provide protection from freezing temperatures.

It comes amid predictions that temperatures could feel as low as minus 14 degrees celsius during the events, which are due to take place at the open-air Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium.

In November, six people reportedly suffered from hypothermia while attending a concert at the stadium.

A crowd of 35,000 is expected for the Olympic Opening Ceremony on February 9.

Wind shields are also being introduced around to the stadium in a bid to keep out the cold.

Temperatures have been much warmer at the two previous editions of the Winter Olympics in Vancouver and Sochi, but could plummet to as low as the minus 11 degrees recorded during the Lillehammer 1994 edition.

A report by Reuters, who obtained a copy of Organising Committee plans, revealed a range of measures including the distribution of hot packs and blankets.

It was all reported that, according to an unnamed official, 160 VIPs will be offered “thicker and bigger blankets”.

It is likely that temperatures will be warmer in the coastal city of Gangneung where competition in ice sports is due to take place.

“The lower the temperatures and the higher the wind speed, the colder spectators can feel,” meteorologist Sung Hyun-do told AccuWeather.

“Because Pyeongchang is in the mountains, it will be cold regardless of wind direction; however, it may feel colder when the north wind blows.”

insidethegames has contacted Pyeongchang 2018 for confirmation of their plans for the two ceremonies.