Chairman of the British Olympic Association (BOA) Colin Moynihan has said that any spare tickets for the London Games should go to the troops that have been drafted in at short notice.
Thousands of military personnel have been brought in after security firm G4S failed to provide the necessary number of staff, with many forced to give up their leave to cover the Games.
Moynihan believes that giving them any tickets that have not yet been sold would be a good way to thank them.
"I'm not responsible for tickets but if anyone deserves to fill any empty seats it's those forces in their down time," he said.
"It makes a lot of sense - if there are some tickets available, let's respect their tremendous contribution and say thank you.
"These guys are so into sport and are really supporting the team, and just today some soldiers down from Chelmsford were saying 'when we do get down time can we go out there and see the events'. If there are any spare tickets it makes eminent sense for the armed forces to have them and would be a great way to say thank you to them."
The opening ceremony of the London Olympics is due to take place in six days' time on Friday 27.
Barney Corkhill
