[TNOULbr2]

OLYMPICS organisers have launched a probe into why rows of prime seats were left EMPTY
throughout yesterday’s opening swimming sessions.

Hundreds of privileged ticket-holders failed to turn up to watch the world's top swimmers despite
the heats being completely "sold out" to the public.

The investigation will centre on London 2012 corporate ticket-holders, sponsors and members of
the Olympics organising 'family' who failed to occupy their allotted poolside spots.

Large pockets of unused seats were also obvious at the beach volleyball on Horse Guards Parade,
the dressage at Greenwich Park, gymnastics at the O2 and the tennis at Wimbledon.

Organisers LOCOG will now identify who had rights to the individual seats and find out why they
hadn’t showed up.

Swathes of empty seats were clearly visible in all sections of the Aquatics Centre which featured
Britain’s medal hopeful Hannah Miley in the women’s 400m individual medley, while 'ordinary' paying
spectators were perched high up well away from the swimmers.

Fans fumed as they left the arena. Business consultant Jay Olivia, 41, from Chelsea, said: “The
swimming was fantastic and the sound was so loud in there but everywhere you looked there were
rows of empty seats.

A LOCOG spokesperson said: “We are aware that some venues have empty seats this morning.

“We believe the empty seats are in accredited seating areas, and we are in the process of finding
out who should have been in the seats and why they weren’t there.”

[MilenaJaf]

Here is the reason why -

The UK's newly revamped anti bribery laws came into effect on 1 July 2011. The laws are similar to the US anti-bribery laws and cover giving and accepting bribes to foreign entities etc. It was so extensive that Companies across the board had to engage external legal help to ensure that staff are aware.

Naturally people are cautious.

[syncFisee]

Here is the reason why -

The UK's newly revamped anti bribery laws came into effect on 1 July 2011. The laws are similar to the US anti-bribery laws and cover giving and accepting bribes to foreign entities etc. It was so extensive that Companies across the board had to engage external legal help to ensure that staff are aware.

Naturally people are cautious.

I think LOGOG will have a lot of explaining to do. They were solely responsible for ticket sales and allocation. Quite an embarrassment indeed.

[MilenaJaf]

Agree. Might have been too greedy. Despite having collected the money, empty seats are disgraceful for such an important event.

I think LOGOG will have a lot of explaining to do. They were solely responsible for ticket sales and allocation. Quite an embarrassment indeed.