Events rescheduled as high winds sweep through Pyeongchang

Gold medalist Natalie Geisenberger of Germany arrives at the women's luge singles victory ceremony as the wind blows the hat of a hostess, February 13, 2018. REUTERS/Edgar Su

GANGNEUNG, South Korea (Reuters) - Several Olympic events were postponed or rescheduled as strong winds swept through the Pyeongchang region on Wednesday, damaging temporary structures set up for the Games.

Nordic combined, biathlon and Alpine skiing events were postponed or delayed due to weather conditions, Olympic organisers said as they rejigged the competition schedule and worked to limit damage sustained around venues.

Biathlon – Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics – Alpensia Biathlon Centre - Pyeongchang, South Korea – February 14, 2018 - Announcements for the cancellation of women’s 15km Individual Final are seen outside the closed media centre. The race has been re-scheduled for February 15, 2018. REUTERS/Murad Sezer

At the Gangneung Ice Arena, the venue for figure skating and short track speed skating, a tent set up for security screenings lay flat on the pavement.

Olympic volunteers and reporters trudged with their backs to the wind, shielding their faces from the dust.

The Korea Meteorological Administration said on its website that winds in the region were blowing at 7 m/s as of 17:30 (0830 GMT).

Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics – Gangneung Olympic Park - Gangneung, South Korea – February 14, 2018. Women react in wind as they pass by a damaged security check point that was blown over by the wind. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj

In text messages sent to mobile phones in the coastal area, Gangneung City Hall called for people to be wary of flying objects and falling debris.

The streets of the Gangneung Media Village, where the majority of international journalists covering the Games are staying, were deserted except for a few security officials trying to fix damage to temporary structures. Several tents used as work areas for the press were closed.

Athletes have also felt the effects of the treacherous winds.

Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics – Gangneung Olympic Park - Gangneung, South Korea – February 14, 2018. Staff from Olympic Park struggle to walk during the wind. REUTERS/John Sibley

Canadian pairs figure skater Meagan Duhamel wrote on Twitter that the hanger she used for her competition dress "broke from the wind" ahead of the short programme on Wednesday in which she and partner Eric Radford finished third.

Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics – Gangneung Olympic Park - Gangneung, South Korea – February 14, 2018. People protect themselves from the strong wind as they make they way out of Olympic park. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj

(Reporting by Gabrielle Tétrault-Farber in Gangneung and Jane Chung in Seoul, additional reporting by Philip O'Connor in Pyeongchang,; Editing by Ed Osmond)

Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics – Gangneung Olympic Park - Gangneung, South Korea – February 14, 2018. A volunteer uses a megaphone to shout warnings during the wind. REUTERS/John Sibley

Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics – Gangneung Olympic Park - Gangneung, South Korea – February 14, 2018. A staff member collects rope at a damaged security check point that was blown over by the wind. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj

Biathlon – Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics – Alpensia Biathlon Centre - Pyeongchang, South Korea – February 14, 2018 - National flags flutter in the wind as biathlonists train after the women’s 15km Individual Final has been postponed for one day, to February 15, 2018. REUTERS/Murad Sezer

Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics – Gangneung Olympic Park - Gangneung, South Korea – February 14, 2018. Policemen assess the damaged caused by strong winds at the Olympic park. REUTERS/John Sibley

Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics – Gangneung Olympic Park - Gangneung, South Korea – February 14, 2018 - Firefighters secure equipment blown over by high winds at the olympic park. REUTERS/Phil Noble

Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics – Gangneung Olympic Park - Gangneung, South Korea – February 14, 2018. Firefighters assess the damage to a food stall that was blown over by the wind. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj

Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics – Gangneung Olympic Park - Gangneung, South Korea – February 14, 2018. Firefighters remove the debris of a damaged food stall that was blown over by the wind. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj

Ice Hockey Ð Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics - Gangneung Hockey Centre, Gangneung, South Korea Ð February 14, 2018 - A policeman stands next to a barricade which fell over due to high winds outside Gangneung Hockey Centre. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon