Rio 2016: Shocking photos compare full stadiums at London 2012 with Rio’s empty seats

THE organisers of the Rio Olympics’ desperate scramble to fill their empty seats has been well documented.

But some commentators were quick to point out that London 2012 wasn’t perfect either.

London 2012 certainly had its ticketing issues. The website collapsed under high traffic, leaving the public exasperated.

And hundreds of tickets assigned to corporations and foreign ticket companies were unsold and not given to the British public instead.

There were even claims that crowds were being ‘positioned’ for photos to make the venues seem fuller than they were.

But after watching the desolate venues of Rio many of us felt that the turnout for these Games was a whole lot worse – and now our suspicions are being confirmed.

Here’s a look at the beach volleyball from London 2012…

…and here’s the same event at Rio 2016.

And it’s not just the volleyball. Check out the Olympic kayaking four years ago…

…compared to now.

Even the less traditional spectator sports, such as archery, were well attended in London…

…especially in contrast to the turnout in Rio.

It’s a shattering confirmation that the Rio organisers really have dropped the ball. Neither locals nor foreigners have been persuaded to come to the Games in enough numbers, leaving empty stadiums devoid of atmosphere.

After seeing these photos, it’s undeniable that there has been a colossal drop in attendance between 2012 and 2016.

Looks like these viewers were right when they felt there was a difference.

The way tickets were assigned at London 2012 wasn’t perfect. But it’s beginning to look like a triumph compared to Rio’s empty seats fiasco.