Olympic briefs

 Sydney sees no shortfall

The Sydney Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games is playing down published reports that it faces a ticket sales shortfall. "At this stage, we believe we are on track to meet the target by the time the Games conclude," said SOCOG spokesman Milton Cockburn. SOCOG is 2.7 million tickets short of its sales goal, according to an Australian newspaper, and has opened up a special ticket hot line and four box office outlets to sell the remaining inventory.

Cockburn said SOCOG wrote off $76 million in anticipated ticket revenue in February, reducing the ticket revenue budget from $608 million to $532 million, but that was primarily because its board decided not to proceed with plans to sell hospitality packages after it drew the ire of sponsors.

 Newly retired QB joins team

Days after announcing his retirement from the San Francisco 49ers, Steve Young was named a Salt Lake Organizing Committee ambassador-at-large. He will serve as volunteer chairman for the Olympic Medals Plaza, a public area that will open in conjunction with the Games, and as a community liaison for public awareness, education and involvement. He will assist SLOC President and CEO Mitt Romney in fund-raising efforts. 

 Watching the detectors

The Olympic Properties of the United States has added its 20th official supplier, Garrett Metal Detectors. The Garland, Texas-based company is a manufacturer of high-tech detection equipment and helped service the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984. It is also an official supplier of the Sydney Games this year. Salt Lake plans call for the largest metal-detector installation in Winter Games history and include walk-through, hand-held and ground-search detectors.

 Delta carries the torch

Delta Air Lines has been named an official provider for the 2002 Olympic Torch Relay, an 80-city trek that will involve more than 11,000 torchbearers. The relay could begin as early as November Delta is the first official provider named for the torch relay.