Bums on seats !

When London was granted the 2012 Olympic games the public was invited to apply for seats on a descending order of preference for events.  It was obvious that demand would far outstrip the available seating and multiple venue applications offered the best chance of seeing at least some live action.

The demand surplus was subjected to a lottery type allocation of seat numbers and as a result most popular Olympic events were quickly sold out.   Those who missed this allocation had the consolation of viewing the Olympics on their television screens.

It must be astonishing to those who had lived in hope of seeing an Olympic event " live " to view the games on television and see vast numbers of seats completely empty in the stadiums.   These are not odd seats scattered across the audience.  They are in " blocks " - and patrons who missed at seat allocations are entitled to ask  - " Why " ?

It seems that these seats were " reserved " for Olympic sponsors, the media - and what has been euphemistically called " the Olympic Family ". !

Obviously, many seem indifferent to the value of a free seat at the Olympics - and just don't turn up.  This is an insult to the athletes that have travelled to London to compete and it certainly raises questions about the procedures to attract sponsors and generally manage the entire Olympic process.   It is being suggested that in the absence of these ticket holders, the British army will be used to fill seats and present a better games image.

There is a another way to overcome the problem.   The Olympic committee should declare that these " freebie " seats are issued on a strictly " provisional " basis.     The provision is that the ticket holder be seated in that seat thirty minutes before the event is scheduled to commence.    Any seats still empty fifteen minutes prior to commencement lose their " provisional " status - and become vacant for free allocation to the public - and a person to claim each of those seats will be drawn from crowds outside the venue.

It would be the " use them - or lose them " approach.   Putting " bums on seats " not only honours the athletes giving their all in competition, but enhances the Olympic spirit that these are games for the ordinary people.    To leave seats empty because of the indifference of some of the sponsors is not an acceptable outcome.