I heard that on the news this morning about the empty seats, but considering we are in a double dip reccession,some people can afford to pay between £150-£400 for a ticket

ive heard we have now upset india at the olympics. why are we making so many bad mistakes and its only just started.

Serves these companies right really Must be very frustrating and annoying for the 'real' fans of these sports who apparently don't get a look in

Unfortunately all sorts of businesses are suffering for these Olympics. Many hotels innocently thought they were doing the right thing and agreed to 'reserve' many of their rooms for what appeared to be the promise of official Olympic business. It was really the whole package deal thing and they've lost out big time. Ordinary businesses in London have to pay extra during this period to get any Royal Mail packages delivered. Many small businesses throughout the country have had to suspend stock ordering if it comes in by mail because of extra security checks - international mail is just going to back up over this period. Very little British business is gaining anything and most are losing.

That doesn;t surprise me at all, my sister was telling me that Weymouth has lost a lot of business too, i think that is where the boat racing is, not sure why they have lost business though

Why VJ is because people are staying indoors watching the olympics. I have came home at 10pm tonight, usually this time of year the town is still heaving. It was deserted. Those spare seats were supposed to have been kept for the sponsors some of whom didn't bother to show,as said if they didn't bother to turn up for the games the rooms in hotels would be vacant too. The only people that will profit from this are the sports wear companies and gyms as people join on a whim and then will cease to use them after a fortnight. I watched a bit of the swimming tonight but as with all of these televised events the commentators spend more time in view and talking than the event happening. Penny

Day three and three errors last night police lost the security keys so cash only if you wanted anything to eat or drink. Will it go down as GB blunder Olympics. Penny

It's the general disruption Penny. The sailing, like the cycling was one of those things people should have been able to watch for free but they decided to close off and charge people to stand on the side of the road instead. It means that not only are the immediate surroundings affected but much greater surrounding areas to stop anyone getting a glimpse of anything without paying.

There was even a plan to put up false walls/screens in front of houses which overlooked the sailing to ensure people living there couldn't watch from their own windows - the excuse was health and safety of course. I'd be interested to know to what extent it was carried through.

Yes I beleive the water events were in the Lea Valley, My territory when younger.
They have turned the whole of the marshes right through from Picketts Lock as far as Ware I beleive into a pay to enter outdoor activity centre.
When I lived their it was open space we grew up in,explored and learnt about things free of charge.
It's appalling. Parents can't afford to keep their kids of the street nowadays, everything has a price tag.
How councils are not making money I do not know. My son experienced the opening ceremony from a friends window where they threw a party.
I think it is appalling the Olympics are for the better off minority and benefits not the man on the street.
The whole ethos of these events is to feel part of the overall event.
The only people to benefit from this is are the organisers,(disorganisers)advertisers and sponsors. watching the swimming last night I'm sitting their thinking, oh just get on with the race.Penny

How true - The more I hear about this, I feel the spirit of the Olympics, and the ethos of it is being irrepairably damaged