Games' early rounds see empty seats

Sponsors upset but they're also at fault

By CLIFFORD COONAN

For TV viewers, the sight of unfilled seats at the Olympics has become an all-too-familiar and head-scratching sight.

After all, Beijing organizers proudly tout that all the Games' 6.8 million tickets sold out.

But while big events like the basketball match between China and the U.S. were packed, less well-known events are struggling to lure folks to the stands. Even beach volleyball, normally a big draw, hasn't filled the benches.

The hot and humid weather in Beijing, combined with rain, is partly to blame.

And though sponsors aren't happy to see empty seats, it seems they're also at fault. Big sponsors receive large batches of tickets, but they're not always keen to attend early qualifying events. They and other spectators sometimes show up for just part of an event, then head out, leaving gaps in the spectator seats.

IOC officials say venue gaps are always a problem in the first week of the Olympics, but they expected numbers to rise as the hugely popular track and field competition got under way Aug. 15.

Meanwhile, some empty seats are being filled by volunteers in yellow shirts serving as official cheerleaders.

"The responsibility lies with the local venue managers," says Wang Wei, spokesman for the Beijing organizers. "If they find that there are not enough people, or if they find too many empty seats, they will organize some cheerleaders who are volunteers."

ENDS