A common occurrence at most major sporting events is the over-pricing of tickets. It would appear that the IOC, and FIFA are completely out of touch with the economy in the countries they opt to host events. We saw it at the FIFA World Cup in South Africa and it is happening at the London Olympics with tickets being given to the armed forces to fill some of the empty seats.
What is probably a bigger concern is that most of the empty seats that are seen by those sitting at home watching on television belong to the events sponsors. It is believed that up to 60,000 seats a day are being left unused by the Olympic Games sponsors. This is criminal when there are so many people who would love to attend one event, yet failed to obtain tickets through the ballot or by any other means.
Surely it is time that the IOC or the local organising committee and FIFA said to these corporate sponsors that they must confirm allocated seat usage 48 hours before the event or the tickets will be released to the general public. Or better still why don’t they donate them to a chosen charity to reward their volunteers, or so that they can sell the tickets to raise some much needed funds. Imagine what it would mean to some children in an orphanage to attend an event such as the Olympic Games, it may inspire them to one day become a Champion.
It is both embarrassing to see a whole chunk of seats empty and disrespectful to the event and the athletes. It shows that it really is all about product exposure rather than about hosting clients to a spectacular and unforgettable sporting event. Shame too on those who are invited and simply fail to show up.
