Christophe Dubi praised Pyeongchang 2018 for their work so far ©Getty Images

Senior International Olympic Committee (IOC) official Christophe Dubi offered praise for Pyeongchang 2018 at the halfway stage of the Winter Olympic Games here but called on organisers to confirm legacy plans for three venues.

Dubi, executive director for the Olympic Games, claimed here today organisers deserved "immense credit" for how the event has gone so far.

The Swiss urged Pyeongchang 2018, however, to address a lack of legacy planning on three venues being used for the Games here.

The Organising Committee has not yet confirmed what will happen to the Gangneung Oval, the Gangneung Hockey Centre and the Jeongseon Alpine Centre after Pyeongchang 2018. 

The Gangneung Oval is playing host to speed skating, while the Jeongseon Alpine Centre is the home of Alpine competitions, including the Winter Olympics' blue riband downhill races.

The Gangneung Hockey Centre and the Jeongseon Alpine Centre are also due to be used during the Winter Paralympic Games, scheduled to take place between March 9 and 18, but the future for them and the Gangneung Oval remains uncertain. 

"When it comes to venues, we've been very clear that we are comfortable with most of the plans, but three," said Dubi. 

"This is something we've been open (with), and discussed, that the organisers and the government still have to decide on the final destination of three venues.

"But for the rest of it, when it comes to tourism, the usage of the venues, we are very comfortable that they have created the conditions to be successful."

The Gangneung Oval, the speed skating host, is among three venues where legacy plans are not yet in place ©Getty Images
The Gangneung Oval, the speed skating host, is among three venues where legacy plans are not yet in place ©Getty Images

Dubi claimed organisers had tacked the challenges presented during the first half of the Olympics - such as the weather conditions, sparse crowds and the spread of the norovirus - "extremely well".

He insisted the IOC were "happy" with how the outbreak of the virus, which causes sickness and diarrhea, had been tackled by Pyeongchang 2018, despite the bug having reached the athletes.

"They demonstrated they were ready despite the extreme weather conditions and the wind but when the system is able to address these issues and stabilise after a few days, it is a good sign that it was planning well done," said Dubi.

"There is a bit more pressure because of the successes like the attendance at the [Olympic] Park and the plaza.

"It creates pressure in a number of areas but once again organisers are doing well to address this.

"A huge credit to the organisers because the level of effort to bring all these temporary resources including people and create those themes to deliver the event at the level it is today is quite a feat.

"You can imagine in terms of logistics, training, making sure it all blends together for a slick operation is really an immense effort, well done and well delivered."