Olympics-London crowds, atmosphere above expectations-IOC (Reuters)

LONDON, Aug 9 (Reuters) - The crowds and enthusiasm at theLondon Games have exceeded the expectations of the InternationalOlympic Committee (IOC) as the host nation enjoys its biggestmedals haul in more than a century. Britain has already won 24 gold medals and 51 in total withstadiums welcoming more than seven million spectators. "The crowd and enthusiasm of the crowds exceeded myexpectations," IOC president Jacques Rogge told a small group ofreporters after watching the first women's boxing medals fightsin front of yet another sold-out arena. ...