Source: www.insidethegames.biz
By Duncan Mackay in London
June 17 - Nearly two thirds of the 1.9 million people who applied for London 2012 Olympics tickets missed out in the first round of sales, it has been revealed today.
But they will have the chance to apply again when another 2.3 million when the next window opens on June 24 on a "first-come first-served basis".
A total of 1.2 million people ended up with nothing, with only 700,000, 36 per cent of applicants, being successful, London 2012 chief executive Paul Deighton admitted today.
Those who missed out will be given the first opportunity to buy those tickets still available when the next sales window opens at 6am on June 24.
More than three million tickets were bought in the first round, a record for the Olympics, which were first held at Athens in 1896.
"We recognise that a lot of people who have as yet been unsuccessful in that application are clearly disappointed," said Sebastian Coe, the chairman of London 2012.
"That's why we are absolutely determined to do everything we possibly can to get tickets to those people who missed out in the first application.
"Our commitment is to get two-thirds of that 1.9 million people to buy a ticket for the 2012 Games if they want to - and we know they want to be there, they were involved in the application process, are mad sports fans and they want to be there."
When sales reopen those that missed out will have the first opportunity to buy tickets, although 1.7 million of the amount available are for football which is taking place across the country.
Besides football, among the sports were there is a good is good availability is basketball prelminaries, boxing, canoe sprint, hockey, handball, judo, sailing and volleyball.
There are also a limited supply of 40,000 tickets available for athletics, although there are only two sessions containing finals where their availability, including August 10 with the women's 1500 metres where Lisa Dobriskey is expected to be among the medal contenders.
It was also confirmed that over a million additional tickets will be put on sale to the British public from December 2011 right up until Games time, as London 2012 releases contingency tickets and returns from client groups.
These will include the 100 metres, which is expected to feature Jamaica's Usain Bolt and for which London 2012 received 1.3 million applications.
The second round sale will last until 6pm on July 3.
Applicants who received tickets in the first round of sales will also get another chance to purchase tickets in the second round from 6am on July 8 to 6pm on July 17.
Deighton revealed that 1.5 million of the tickets available in the next window will be priced at £50 or less and over half a million of these tickets will be priced at £20 or less.
Sixty sessions with special prices are still available – 33 are in football, and 27 are in the other sports.
People will be able to apply for a maximum of three sessions and six tickets per session for most sports, although football, volleyball and race walking will have larger limits.
Applicants will be notified whether their request for tickets has been successful between 24 and 48 hours after the request is submitted.
Payment will be taken after the 10 day process, over a period of up to four days – and applicants will then be notified that the transaction and ticket purchase is complete.
"We are working hard, venue by venue, to offer all our contingency tickets to the public," said Deighton.
"Some of our venues have yet to be built.
"Others have never seen competitive sport or delivered live TV broadcasts.
"Every venue needs a precise and final seating plan, and we are working through this at the moment.
"As soon as we are able to release these seats, we will, and seats for some of the most popular sports and sessions, and the ceremonies, will be available again next year.
"We will tell our most loyal fans - those who applied in the first round – in advance of these tickets going on general sale so they are ready to apply."
There will be a number of additional opportunities for the British public to get to the Games.
The London 2012 Ticketshare scheme will enable 130,000 schoolchildren to go to the Olympic Games with tickets donated by the Prestige corporate hospitality sales.
The scheme has also seen tickets donated to Tickets for Troops for distribution to the Armed Forces, the British Olympic Association and Sport England.
Olympic Park tickets, giving access to the Park at Games time, will go on sale in 2012.
For full details of which sports, sessions and price categories are still available click here.
Contact the writer of this story at duncan.mackay@insidethegames.biz