Mumsnet Talk

Watching Sky News. Reports released today admits that for closing ceremony, no public admitted, for 'security reasons.
And for Usain Bolt 100m , none, for security reasons.
And for when we won medals for Ennis and Farah, something like 2-3% public and 98% VIP.

I am not sure my fatcs/figures are totally correct, but that was the jist of the news I just saw.
And many of those werent even taken by the VIP's.
Plus, All those emprty seats we saw. All throughout, remember the diving etc.
But, hey Seb Coe got his award on sports personality of the year, so that's o.k., right?

Just asked MN to move. Posted in wrong section.

Interesting choice of topic!

Not sure the figures were quite that skewed, but it was rather shambolic IIRC

not surprising though is it. can't seb coe, he always seemed so self serving

My BIL/SIL sat in VIP seats at one of the diving comps. Their little one was upset so they had to keep nipping out with her - the officials gave them seats closer and further down, and nearer the doors.

My bf and her family got tickets to usain bolt final - not VIPs so I think stats not entirely accurate

Huh? Two of my friends were at the 100m final (and took photos) and I also know people at the closing ceremony so I really don't think that's right at all.

I'm sure their were MNetters who webt to the closing ceremony., not as VUIPs.

This is only link I can find so far: www1.skysports.com/olympics/story/15234/8342741

DH and I went to the Ennis/Farah/Rutherford evening and weren't VIPs (although tickets were expensive and last minute) and DB and nephews went to closing ceremony - also not VIPs.

there not their

I got tickets to a lot of top events (rowing, cycling, gymnastics, athletics). I could name loads of people who also did this. None were VIP's but they were all people who devoted a HUGE amount of time and effort to get tickets. And not just from July 27th onwards.
The system was rubbish I agree but there was a way to get tickets if the will was there.

I assume all here to read; www.london2012.com/about-us/publications/publication=december-ticketing-report/

It was in the Evening Standard tonight - very few tickets to the big events were made available to the public according to stats provided to the London Assembly by LOCOG. Tickets to football matches and so on were available but the vast majority of seats for the main events were for VIPs and 'members of the Olympic family' (hence the pics of empty seats early on - remember the soldiers being asked to fill up the stadiums).

Scarf, I know lots of people who tried to get tickets and failed, and of the people I know who did get tickets, it was to the less popular events. Which they enjoyed, but it's not as simple as 'people didn't make an effort'.

Ds and I were at the Usain Bolt 100m final, about 20-30yds directly behind his bum on the start line . My db and his family were there too. I also know friends of friends who went. We all paid for our tickets and none of us were VIPs. We all got our tickets off the Olympic ticket website.

We were at the diving final too and had seats two rows behind someone from One Direction and in the next block from David Beckham. We were moved when we arrived as our paid seats had a restricted view.

I know of two NVIPs who were at the closing ceremony. Tickets were very pricey at 1k each.

know one of school mums and her family went to the Saturday where we won lots Inc Jessica Ennis.

I know lots of people that went to various events including the closing ceremony. None of them are Very Important People. They all have a regular amount of importance.

found one Standard story on the figures here but it's a few weeks back will have to hunt for tonight's.

I was a VVIP in front of my TV screen. What price significant legacy?

So we had the 'it'll all be rubbish' whining beforehand and now we've got the 'it was all rubbish' carping afterwards. I was there and it was fantastic. If a lot of closing ceremony seats went to VIPs it was probably because the corporate hospitality people were doing a brisk trade. So what?

I thought beforehand it would be a fantastic summer but it completely surpassed my very high expectations. We had the time of our lives and memories that will last forever. Even though one of my lasting memories is of spending hours and hours every evening trying to get tickets (sometimes until 3am and having to get up at 6am). Totally worth it as persistence paid off and we were lucky enough to go to some amazing events, both Olympics and Paralympics.