Demand for ’12 London Olympics tickets “has been such that about 55 per cent of the 1.8 million applicants were unsuccessful in getting any tickets,” according to Magnay & Prince of the London TELEGRAPH. A LOCOG spokesperson “would not comment on the claims, saying that the final figures on sales following the first ballot would not be disclosed until next week.” But sources familiar with the ticket sales said that they were “taken by surprise by the overwhelming demand for cheaper tickets.” All applicants who missed out on getting a ticket “will be able to try again in the second draw, which is being held on a first-come first-served basis at the end of the month.” Fans of a “number of sports are likely to find that they can obtain only the more expensive tickets.” And “virtually all of the tickets for the more popular sports have already gone.” All “successful applicants will be contacted by June 24 and told which seats they have secured” (London TELEGRAPH, 6/7). The “only way to guarantee a place” for the men’s 100m track final is “by buying a corporate hospitality package.” The “minimum order for such bookings is 10 people, meaning buyers face a total bill of” US$443,350 to see the event in person (London TELEGRAPH, 6/7).
