IOC president Jacques Rogge told press here on Sunday that the Vancouver Winter Games organizers should be applauded despite the tragedy of a Georgian luger's death on the opening day.

"The Games, from the point of view of VANOC, went through teething pains," said Rogge at the last IOC news conference ahead of the Vancouver Olympic Winter Games closing ceremony. "It would be unfair, however, not to judge the Games and VANOC on their own merit."

"There was an extraordinary embrace by the city of Vancouver, something I've never seen before.

"I spoke to our broadcasters and they were overjoyed with sky high ratings," he added.

The IOC boss repeated to mention the death of luge athlete Nodar Kumaritashvili but said it should not affect the way that the Vancouver Games will be remembered.

"We started the Games in very difficult circumstances with the death of the Georgian athlete which is something the Olympic movement won't forget," he said.

"I can say this hit me very strongly from a personal point of view. I didn't sleep for two nights."

Kumaritashvili, losing control of his sled in training, died just a few hours before the Games' opening ceremony on Feb. 12.

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