To be annoyed by empty seats at the Olympics

[Nevercan]

I have watched the swimming and gymnastics tonight and there are loads of empty seats. So annoying when you can't get tickets and such as a shame as they are good seats. A pity they can't resell them again last minute don't you think?

Ye some sort of system whereby if people haven't checked in by 15 minutes before the event starts the seats get sold on would be good. Would need some sort of ability to confirm attendance by text/phone if people get delayed though

Huh?

Duplicate threads?

Terrible behaviour.

I was going to post the same! I'm so so annoyed!!!
My husband and I tried to get tickets for swimming and gymnastics with no luck... Today I watched both sports on tv and see that nearly half the seats are bloody EMPTY!

There was a massive section in the gymnastics reserved for the competitors who had finished to watch.

The GB blokes were just there watching the last round.

That massive, empty section seemed to be the bit on the opposite side to the cameras, making it look emptier than it really was.

I got a much better view on my TeeVee anyway...

An investigation has been opened into this, apparently.

www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/london-2012/9434744/London-2012-Olympics-Empty-seats-on-the-opening-day-prompts-investigation.html

There was some wibbling about their being "accredited" seats, which means sponsors, journalists, etc. I must say, political types and journalists are notorious for this!

And continuing today...

www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/london-2012/9435876/London-2012-Jeremy-Hunt-says-empty-seats-could-be-given-to-the-public.html

Yes, you´d think if a block of seats are empty it would be possible to check if they have been allocated to sponsors/media whatever if if so, let the public have them.

I suppose that also depends on people turning up on the off chance also-could/would many do that?

Quotes from Jeremy Hunt indicated he didn't have any access to that information, and said the same yesterday, so perhaps LOCOG is stalling, afraid of its sponsors?

Good point about security clearing standby spectators. Tickets would probably end up going to those slreadt there. It's the Matthew principle, innit: "to those who have more shall be given"

already

Went to the ladies football, 23,000 in a 75,00 seat stadium.

We got free tickets from school right at the end of term. They must have known for ages that their were loads left.

Tickets for VIPs that don't want their seats are a disgrace.

Wimbledon makes me swear every year. The doubles finals were a disgrace, the mixed was a great match, but they'd all pissed off to corporate meals

There

Apparently a lot of the empty ones have been reserved for the IOC, and the associations of the individual sports and for other competitors to watch.

Everything I've seen on telly today looks pretty full.

The empty seats are disgraceful. All that public money to build the facilities and then empty seats. It's obvious that the empty seats are the over-priced ones that no one can afford, but LOCOG is trying to cover it up by saying they are corporate. Well, if you're company is giving you free Olympic tickets (on a Saturday) you either use them or give them away (since you didn't pay). It's a shambles, but don't worry the oganisers will all get big bonuses and other awards for their incompetence.

YANBU