I look at the equestrian event attendance and cringe. They obviously don’t know how to even give away free tickets to fill the seats! It’s just beyond pathetic.
DH and I Were talking about this. We felt it’s one of those places where there is not much to see locally and very hard to get to the rest of the country and not a lot to see elsewhere.
Europe for example, easy to get around, lots of countries within a day’s travel, lots of sites to see so more likely to get more spectators making a vacation out of it.
There isnt anything in rio or Brazil I have a desire to see, closest would be the ancient ruins in Peru.
A lot of people were scared off by Zika this year, too. And the reports of how much of a cluster everything is down there with the pollution and crime and such.
Chicago gets a lot of stuff wrong, but if they had been chosen to host these games instead of Rio, it would have been EPIC.
I do think if we’d all known that the stands would be this empty, and they’d offered discounts, a bunch of us would have gone. 
Zika virus doesn’t freak me out. The crime? Yeah, a bit, but I probably still would have considered the trip if I could have found some decent airfare, too. 
If only we’d all known…
They should have publicized the lack of ticket sales for the Equestrian events!!
[QUOTE=js;8791838]
DH and I Were talking about this. We felt it’s one of those places where there is not much to see locally and very hard to get to the rest of the country and not a lot to see elsewhere.
.[/QUOTE]
Rio is a huge tourist destination location - in spite of the crime (that is probably a big reason FOR the crime) and poverty and lack of cleanliness. They have botanical gardens, theatre, beaches, tons of tours, zip lining and other adventure activities. Its like saying there is nothing to do in Hawaii - if you aren’t into beaches and the ocean, then yeah, there isn’t a lot to do…
Reality - the equestrian events are NOT a huge draw in South America - and Zika threw a damper on the events. But when you look at gymnastics, beach volleyball (still can’t figure out why that is an Olympic sport), some of the other more popular sports - the stands are full.
Equestrian might fill up in the US and Northern Europe, but for many countries, it just isn’t a draw. Which is one reason TPTB keep talking about eliminating the horse events. I hope that never happens, but I don’t think Brazil is unique in its “Equestrian Problem”…
I think it is unique to Brazil…because other places give out the tickets for a lot less money to fill the stands and make it look good.
[QUOTE=Velvet;8791795]
I look at the equestrian event attendance and cringe. They obviously don’t know how to even give away free tickets to fill the seats! It’s just beyond pathetic.[/QUOTE]
And because Rio didn’t fill equestrian event seats, that is a reason to not hold Olympics in South America???
I thought cross country was reasonably attended. For other sporting events, as noted, seats are full or close to full.
The world is not all about equestrian…
[QUOTE=Velvet;8791986]
I think it is unique to Brazil…because other places give out the tickets for a lot less money to fill the stands and make it look good. :)[/QUOTE]
It is a bit of a reach to therefore conclude this:
No more Olympics in South America. Are we all agreed?
let me guess- you are a trump fan :lol:
Did anyone watch the women’s beach volleyball last night? Great matchup… stands were maybe 1/2 full. It isn’t just Equestrian that isn’t getting people. I have noticed as an overall viewer of the sports that there are a lot of seats open in general.
[QUOTE=doubleback06;8792188]
Did anyone watch the women’s beach volleyball last night? Great matchup… stands were maybe 1/2 full. It isn’t just Equestrian that isn’t getting people. I have noticed as an overall viewer of the sports that there are a lot of seats open in general.[/QUOTE]
^This. ^ It’s all over. Many events are not well attended. Thus, no more Olympics in South America.
I’m not sure why others are so worked up. It’s a topic. Post your opinion. Those posting personal insults and political debaters really need to get a life.
Probably lots of factors contributing to low attendance.
- Not much interest in equestrian sports, esp. dressage. It will be interesting to see if attendance goes up significantly for show jumping.
- Venue wasn’t particularly easy to get to.
- It’s the middle of the week - folks have to work and go to school.
- Maybe not a heck of a lot of people that can afford to take off from work to go watch Olympic events. And those that can, prefer to watch gymnastics, etc.
- Weather yesterday was not so great - rainy and windy and somewhat cool.
[QUOTE=Where’sMyWhite;8792181]
The world is not all about equestrian…[/QUOTE]
What?!!? It’s not? Yes it is
I believe I read on one of the news sites that there were a million unsold tickets??? Others say only half the tickets have sold.
I’m not sure why others are so worked up. It’s a topic. Post your opinion. Those posting personal insults and political debaters really need to get a life.
:lol: Not worked up- but why are you so worked up?
My opinion which I thought was obvious is that it might be a little um extreme? to ban all South American countries from hosting the Olympics forever and henceforth just because you think the stands were not full enough in Rio.
sorry but= gak- wish we still had the rolly eye emoticon
Right, it’s all so icky and foreign. No Argentina no Chile, neither. Nevermore.
Because Evita. Don’t cry for me, Madonna. And Allende. And weird languages. It’s like, hey, are you Spanish? Are you Portuguese? Are you Indian? Pick one.
Just slash through the rainforest and put a nice Sandals on the banks of the Amazon for the white people, already. And while you’re at it, put on some clothes.
Plus Cocaine. Pablo Escobar. I mean, Medellin is somewhere down there, right?
< shudder >
Nevermore.
The venue apparently is off the beaten path. Far from the metroplis area. Many didn’t want to venture that far. I believe it is on a military base.
I am sure many from around the world are still watching and supporting the sport. I wouldn’t put out a blanket statement of all South America.
Right, it’s all so icky and foreign. No Argentina no Chile, neither. Nevermore.
Because Evita. Don’t cry for me, Madonna. And Allende. And weird languages. It’s like, hey, are you Spanish? Are you Portuguese? Are you Indian? Pick one.
Just slash through the rainforest and put a nice Sandals on the banks of the Amazon for the white people, already. And while you’re at it, put on some clothes.
Plus Cocaine. Pablo Escobar. I mean, Medellin is somewhere down there, right?
< shudder >
Nevermore.
yes quoth the velvet raven- nevermore!!
I thought I read somewhere as well that Brazilians were refusing free tickets in protest of the Olympics (spending money on the games instead of the citizens)? Or maybe they were refusing to buy tickets.
I think it’s a combination of this and unexpectedly horrific traffic:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/rio-olympics-wait-line-up-venue-security-1.3710362
http://news.nationalpost.com/sports/rio-2016/the-traffic-olympics-after-all-the-concern-over-security-zika-and-other-threats-transport-could-turn-out-to-be-rio-games-biggest-problem
My dad is down there working for CBC and he said the traffic is so bad that there have been numerous crews and fans (hopefully not athletes!) missing their events because of the hours it takes to get anywhere.
That wouldn’t account for the totally empty venues, but likely accounts for something.
Anyway, no blanket ban for SA - but definitely depressing to see the empty seats. I’d have loved to be there!
[QUOTE=Silverbridge;8792371]
Right, it’s all so icky and foreign. No Argentina no Chile, neither. Nevermore.
Because Evita. Don’t cry for me, Madonna. And Allende. And weird languages. It’s like, hey, are you Spanish? Are you Portuguese? Are you Indian? Pick one.
Just slash through the rainforest and put a nice Sandals on the banks of the Amazon for the white people, already. And while you’re at it, put on some clothes.
Plus Cocaine. Pablo Escobar. I mean, Medellin is somewhere down there, right?
< shudder >
Nevermore.[/QUOTE]
OMG you guys are such rapists - I mean racists oops Freud·i·an slip :lol:
