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Beijing Struggles to Fill Stadiums

Sold-out games are full of empty seats

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 13, 2008 11:18 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Olympic organizers have a problem: No one’s going to their sold-out events. Foot traffic is sparse in Olympic Park, and empty seats have abounded at early events. The panicked Chinese have organized yellow-shirted, state-trained “cheer-squads” to fill the holes, but that hasn’t been enough for the IOC, which is prodding Beijing to let more local residents in.

It’s an odd problem, given that the record 6.8 million tickets sold out, with huge crowds mobbing sellers. Many empty seats were likely part of the huge ticket blocks given out to Chinese companies, sponsors and VIPs. But others may be attributed to China’s tightened visa restrictions. Beijing hotels say they’re having a below-average August because foreigners can’t get into the country. “Last year the hotel was full,” one receptionist lamented.

Rows of empty seats are seen during the women's first round group F soccer match at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Tianjin on August 12, 2008.
Rows of empty seats are seen during the women's first round group F soccer match at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Tianjin on August 12, 2008.   (AFP/Getty)
Volunteers (in yellow) and supervisors (blue and white) sit on the bleachers during a women's volleyball match. Organizers have used yellow T-shirted volunteers to fill seats at under-attended events.
Volunteers (in yellow) and supervisors (blue and white) sit on the bleachers during a women's volleyball match. Organizers have used yellow T-shirted volunteers to fill seats at under-attended events.   (AFP/Getty)
Empty seats surround fans as they watch Rainer Schuettler of Germany against Novak Djokovic of Serbia during first round men's singles tennis action at the Beijing 2008 Olympics, Aug. 12, 2008.
Empty seats surround fans as they watch Rainer Schuettler of Germany against Novak Djokovic of Serbia during first round men's singles tennis action at the Beijing 2008 Olympics, Aug. 12, 2008.   (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
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China • 2008 Beijing Olympics • visa • Olympics • tickets

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