Sergey Bubka: Moscow heat affecting World Championship attendance
Sergey Bubka believes poor attendances at the World Championships are because of the hot weather in Moscow.
Last Updated: 11/08/13 3:11pm
Questions have been posed to organisers after smaller crowds than were expected attended the action in the Luzhniki Stadium.
Tickets are being sold for as little as 100 Roubles (less than £2) but for only a fraction of the arena, which has been reduced to a third of its 75,000-capacity by a giant TV screen, banners covering seats and a large media tribune.
And the lack of interest is of concern to six-time world pole vault champion Bubka.
"When we (the IAAF) prepared the championships, we discussed with the local organising committee, government of Moscow, Ministry of Sport, the Russia Athletics Federation covering the upper deck," he said.
"The reduction of this stadium is to 35,000 spectators and this was planned.
"We insisted very seriously and very strongly regarding the promotional campaign and a lot of money was invested.
"They have a special spectator programme and generally up to 85,000 tickets were sold.
"Yesterday and today it's a very sunny day and I know for Muscovites they always go to their dachas (holiday homes) outside Moscow.
"Maybe some people have bought tickets and they don't attend."
However, Bubka is confident that crowds will improve throughout the event.
"I think, I hope and I will do my best to settle this issue as the crowd is most important," he added.
"Basically if you look to the average sales, they are between 80 and 85%. We've already sold 4,000 tickets today and I believe that we worked hard and
we did a good promotion campaign.
"I was a little bit disappointed yesterday, for myself, but I believe it will be fine.
"It's clear it's a big honour for Russia to host this World Championships. They love sport and enjoy sport and Russian track and field is one of the best in the world."
