Drone light show from Intel is scrapped at Winter Olympics opening ceremony

PYEONGCHANG, South Korea-- Tech giant Intel says unexpected last-minute "logistical challenges" forced it to scrap plans to launch hundreds of small drones that were to put on a light show as part of the pageantry at the Winter Olympics opening ceremony. Intel, which received heaps of attention for using their Shooting Star drones to put on a show at the 2017 Super Bowl as part of Lady Gaga's halftime performance, had been working for several months on the Olympics performance. A company spokeswoman confirmed to USA TODAY that it had to scrap the live show, but did not respond to a request for a more detailed explanation of what caused the last-minute challenges. IOC spokesman Mark Adams also confirmed the live drone show was scrapped at the last minute, because of an "impromptu" logistical challenge. Several hours before the start of the ceremony, Intel chief strategy officer Aicha Evans told USA TODAY that they planned to launch 300 drones during the tail-end of the ceremony.