More Than Half Of Athens Games Tickets Remain Unsold

Athens Olympics Remain A Tough Sell

ATHOC organizers yesterday said that "more than half the tickets for the Athens Olympics remain unsold, with corporate sponsors buying far fewer seats than four years ago," according to Lisa Orkin of the AP. There are a total of 5.3 million tickets for the Games — 3 million for the public and 2.3 million for IOC officials, sponsors and others — of which only 1.83 million have been sold so far. Officials "would not give a breakdown of how many were for the public and the 'Olympic family.'" ATHOC Marketing GM George Bolos said the number of tickets sold to the "Olympic family" is "significantly less than Sydney." But Bolos added, "In Sydney there were 120 sponsors; we have 35. So every sponsor is buying about 3,000 tickets, 4,000 tickets." Orkin wrote that the "revenue picture is brighter," as about $167M has been made from ticket sales. The goal is to raise $223M in ticket revenue. The most popular event so far is the August 19 sailing competition, which is 99% sold (AP, 6/1).

CANADIAN SPONSORS: In Toronto, Randy Starkman reports the Canadian branches of TOP Sponsors Coca-Cola, Visa and Kodak all plan to use the Athens Games as a "major plank of their corporate hospitality programs, as they have in the past." Kodak Environmental Communications Manager Jim Blamphin: "We have a full agenda and we're in the process of filling up the available spots. We'll bring in key customers from all over. That's what we're about and we're having no trouble doing it" (TORONTO STAR, 6/2).