Organizers brace for social-media nightmares sure to come_美文

Organizers brace for social-media nightmares sure to come

"We're taking a fairly liberated approach, with the full knowledge that it will be imperfect, there will be some bumps and bruises along the way. But, generally speaking, we think it will be positive," he said.

For organizers, too, social media has caused a headache.

Details and photos of the opening ceremony were leaked online after the show's technical rehearsal Monday, despite director Danny Boyle's plea for spectators to "save the surprise".

"Whatever your expectations are, forget them! It's beautiful," said Mims Reilly in one of the less-revealing posts.

The IOC has had to lay down some rules, partly to protect official Olympic sponsors.

Participants have been told not to promote non-official brands for one month, prompting a rush of online praise for sponsors just before the ban kicked off last week - all of which was covered by an amused press.

In one such example, Lucy Macgregor, Annie Lush and Kate Macgregor - who represent Britain in sailing - thanked a host of brands on their Facebook page before the ban began.

Overall though, organizers and sporting delegations are banking on social media to promote the Olympics like never before.

"We think it's a very powerful medium to reach new and different audiences, in particular to reach young people," Seibel said. "And, of course, the long-term growth and health of the Olympic movement is contingent in part on our ability to reach out to young people."