Uproar over empty seats at Olympic events

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It's an image Olympic organizers aren't keen for the public to see --- empty seats at some of the most popular sporting events.

On Sunday, they were scrambling to respond to the uproar caused by rows of vacant seats beamed worldwide.

What's to blame? It depends on who you ask. Some say an overly complicated ticketing system while others point to corporate sponsors failing to fill their sections.

London 2012 Chairman Sebastian Coe offered up yet another theory --- the empty sectiosn have been reserved for sports officials who can spend limited time leisurely watching different events.

SOUNDBITE: London 2012 Chairman Sebastian Coe saying:

"I don't want to see swathes of those seats empty, and that is why we will make sure where we possibly can that we get people into those as and when they are not being used."

Organizers say they are now looking to fill seats with military, local school children and teachers or upgrading other ticket holders.

It's cold comfort however to fans who find themselves shut out of different events.

SOUNDBITE: Pru Buckland, Tourist From Adelaide Australia saying:

"We've come all the way from the other side of the world to be here, so if people aren't using those seats, by all means, let us in, because it's a global event and the globe should be invited."

SOUNDBITE: Justin Trencher saying:

"My wife was trying to get tickets for gymnastics today and we couldn't, so seeing the gymnastics arena yesterday half empty it is a bit disappointing but, yeah, they should fill them up as much as possible because I am sure people would come."

SOUNDBITE: Tourist from the Netherlands Als Doktar saying:

"It's very bad, we like to go into Holland play now (sic) for the hockey but we got cards only for the afternoon and not the morning. We like to come in, but you can't buy any tickets and we know that there are empty places and that is bad that you can't come in and it isn't' true."

SOUNDBITE: Phoebe Ware, tourist from Adelaide Australia saying:

"Let everyone else come in. Most people don't get to see and be involved in Olympics, so it's not very fair to be honest."

The empty venues have not gone unnoticed by athletes. Australian swimmer Libby Trickett.

SOUNDBITE: Australian Swimmer, Libby Trickett saying:

"I hope that they can pack that venue, because it is a brilliant venue and it deserves to be filled to capacity."

One solution officials are considering is allowing fans to take open seats if they aren't filled within the first 30 minutes of the event.

Deborah Gembara, Reuters