http://www.democrats.com/ Why won't ANYONE point out the big fat elephant in the Athens "living room"? Namely, the tens of thousands of empty seats at the Olympics that represent, most likely, a boycott of the games. Despite Bob Costas' jingoistic coverage (the way NBC presents it, there are no other athletes competing or winning but Americans, with a few "furriners" thrown in for effect), Americans are VERY unpopular in Europe right now. In this article it suggests the empty seats are because Greeks are "unfamiliar" with many of the sports. Yet that didn't stop the stadiums from being filled in Seoul or Mexico City, which could more legitimately offer this excuse. But then, the US didn't turn those game sites into military compounds! Time to stop making excuses and deal with our sadly tarnished image and the Bush hatred that is now hurting everyone, including our athletes.
and this article:
http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=3354975Deserted Stadiums - But Games Ticket Sales 'Doing Well'
-snip-
Attendances at the Games – billed as “the greatest show on earth” – are causing concern with some competitions in almost empty arenas.
Venus Williams was watched by just 500 fans when she played her opening match of the tennis event against Melinda Czink on Sunday.
The Panathinaiko Stadium, where Paula Radcliffe will hope to win a gold medal in the women’s marathon next Sunday, was close to deserted when the archery began and there have been empty stands at the softball and baseball.
-snip-
The Greeks are banking on crowds picking up when the main athletics begins on Friday.
“We are confident that Greeks will flow to the stadium, as well as international visitors,” said Zacharatos.
He denied ATHOC was going to give away free tickets to fill the stadiums.
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