Sochi faces issue of empty
seats, atmosphere
AP
Julian Finney / Getty Images Europe
Sochi officials are dealing with empty seats,
less-than-capacity crowds and a dearth of spectator enthusiasm at Olympic
venues.
SOCHI, Russia (AP) It's an issue that comes up in the early
days of almost every Olympics: What to do about those empty seats and lack of
buzz?
It's the case again in Sochi, with some senior Olympic
officials voicing concern about less-than-capacity crowds and a dearth of
spectator enthusiasm.
One International Olympic Committee member suggested Monday
that school children and unarmed soldiers be let in to help fill venues.
Gerhard Heiberg, a Norwegian member who heads the IOC
marketing commission, praised the overall organization but said the games
weren't as lively as hoped.
''We feared that a little bit,'' Heiberg said. ''We were
warned about this. The TV pictures are wonderful, the competitions are
wonderful, the venues are great. But I feel a bit the lack of enthusiasm and
the joy of sports.''
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