Japan organisers 'not satisfied' as empty seats blight Asian Games
Summary
Asian Games organisers in Japan have admitted they are not satisfied after empty seats were visible at major venues and ticket sales lagged for several events. Officials also apologised for accommodation and transport problems affecting athletes and teams.
Key Points
- Organisers said ticket sales were below expectations, with less than 60 percent of tickets sold for eight sports and similar shortfalls for the closing ceremony.
- The Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium was only about one-quarter full for the 100m finals, one of the marquee events of the Games.
- Secretary-general Satoshi Murate blamed no-shows and tickets allocated to stakeholders for the empty seats and said organisers would keep pushing sales.
- Murate also apologised for accommodation and transport mix-ups that have drawn criticism from several teams.
