More than six million tickets for the London 2012 Olympic Games
More than six million tickets for the London 2012 Olympic Games will go on sale from March 15, it was revealed tonight.
Announcing the news, Sebastian Coe (pictured), chairman of London 2012, also revealed tickets for the Paralympics will be available from September 9.
The process for 6.6 million Olympic Games tickets available to the general public will open for six weeks, enabling people to consider their options before making their final choices and applying.
Applications will close on April 26 and all oversubscribed sessions will be allocated via a ballot process.
People can apply at any point during the six-week application period – it is not a first come, first served process.
London 2012 will announce full details of the purchasing process and the finalised schedule for all 650 sport sessions in February.
The two million people who have already signed up to the London 2012 ticketing database – www.tickets.london2012.com – will receive all the information about how to apply and those who have registered will be able to use their existing log-in details to access the application process.
A total of 8.8 million tickets are available for the Games, including those that will be allocated to sponsors and other members of the Olympic Movement, which are vital to raising £2 billion ($3 billion) from the private sector to stage the event.
The London 2012 organisation needs to get 25 per cent of its revenue from ticket sales.
Further details on applying for Paralympic tickets will be announced later this year, with prices announced in May.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the world’s greatest athletes going for gold in the UK – a chance for people to see their favourite sport and perhaps try a new one,” said Coe.
“Our message today is simple – mark the date in your diary and sign up to our ticketing site at www.tickets.london2012.com to receive all the information you need to help you with the process”
On March 15 the process will open for all Olympic Games tickets – including UK Games Break packages via official London 2012 supporter Thomas Cook, hospitality packages via Prestige Ticketing, international travel and accommodation packages via Jet Set Sports and globally via each National Olympic Committee or its authorised ticket reseller.
Tickets for the London 2012 Festival events will go on sale in the autumn 2011
Every athlete competing in the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics will be eligible to buy up to two tickets for their families and friends at each session in which they are competing, it was announced today.
London 2012 officials have responded to complaints from athletes, including Sir Chris Hoy at the last Olympics in Beijing, who have had problems at previous Games obtaining tickets for their families.
The athlete purchase ticket programme will be activated in 2012, and aims to include every athlete in every session in every sport, although in some cases competitors may be restricted to just one ticket.
Tickets will be offered to athletes before and during the Games, once the full list of competing athletes participating in each session has been finalised.
“We have always said that athletes’ needs are at the heart of the Games, so we are delighted to be able to guarantee that athletes can share this once in a lifetime experience with some of their biggest supporters – their families and friends,” said Sebastian Coe, the chairman of London 2012.
A record 11,028 athletes competed in the Olympics in Beijing while 4,200 took part in the Paralympics.
The plan has been backed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
“The athletes are central to the work of the IOC and it’s great to see this initiative of the IOC Athletes’ Commission come to fruition,” said Denis Oswald, the chairman of the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Coordination Commission, who today completed their seventh visit to London.
“I’m glad that the IOC and LOCOG have been able to create a programme that will ensure that athletes can purchase tickets for their families and friends, so that they too can share the culmination of a journey that for many will have begun decades ago.”
The sale and distribution of tickets to athletes, families and friends, will be managed through each country’s respective National Olympic Committee (NOC).
London 2012 will set aside approximately 70,000 tickets for sale under this programme.
All transactions to the athletes must be made at the face value of a ticket, with no addition of mark-ups or fees, Coe warned.
“This is fantastic news for all athletes competing at London 2012, allowing the athletes to have those closest to them sharing their special moment,” said Jonathan Edwards, the chairman of the London 2012 Athletes’ Commission.
“I’m delighted at the continuing commitment LOCOG is showing in making London 2012 an outstanding experience for the world’s best athletes.”
Written By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
