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2012 Olympics tickets go on sale 2012 Olympics tickets go on sale
(40 minutes later)
Tickets for the London 2012 Olympics have gone on sale, 500 days ahead of the event.Tickets for the London 2012 Olympics have gone on sale, 500 days ahead of the event.
Some 6.6 million tickets are available from the London 2012 website over a six-week period and organisers say all applications will be treated equally.Some 6.6 million tickets are available from the London 2012 website over a six-week period and organisers say all applications will be treated equally.
Prices range from £20 to £2,012 and oversubscribed events will be decided by a ballot.Prices range from £20 to £2,012 and oversubscribed events will be decided by a ballot.
On Monday a giant clock counting down the days until the start of the Games was unveiled in Trafalgar Square.On Monday a giant clock counting down the days until the start of the Games was unveiled in Trafalgar Square.
Lord Coe, the chairman of London 2012, said: "If you look at the way we have put the price points together I think we've done that in a really smart way. I think those prices are affordable.Lord Coe, the chairman of London 2012, said: "If you look at the way we have put the price points together I think we've done that in a really smart way. I think those prices are affordable.
"Yes, the big ticket events are always going to be the big ticket events, but there are plenty of opportunities to see the big stars at the lower price points.""Yes, the big ticket events are always going to be the big ticket events, but there are plenty of opportunities to see the big stars at the lower price points."
Lord Coe said he was confident the Games would be a sell out.
BBC sports editor David Bond said the ticket sale launch would be the first real test of public appetite for the event.BBC sports editor David Bond said the ticket sale launch would be the first real test of public appetite for the event.
Ballot systemBallot system
Organisers said they were confident they had done everything they could to avoid the website crashing as people log on for the first time to buy tickets.Organisers said they were confident they had done everything they could to avoid the website crashing as people log on for the first time to buy tickets.
The main factor is the establishment of a 42-day sales process which means each application between now and 26 April will be treated in exactly the same way.The main factor is the establishment of a 42-day sales process which means each application between now and 26 April will be treated in exactly the same way.
People can also apply for tickets using a paper form, which is included in the official ticketing guide.People can also apply for tickets using a paper form, which is included in the official ticketing guide.
People can apply using a paper form obtainable from branches of Lloyds TSB in England, Bank of Scotland in Scotland or libraries in Northern Ireland between 15 March and 25 April 2011.People can apply using a paper form obtainable from branches of Lloyds TSB in England, Bank of Scotland in Scotland or libraries in Northern Ireland between 15 March and 25 April 2011.
London 2012 chairman Lord Coe said he was confident the Games would be a sell out. Sean and Jackie Burke, from Southwell, Nottinghamshire, reported some problems using the website.
Mr Burke told BBC News: "We have managed to book tennis and athletics and one of the cycling events but we have had one or two problems with the website crashing. Logistically it's quite tricky at the moment."
Half a billion pounds is forecast to be raised from ticket sales.Half a billion pounds is forecast to be raised from ticket sales.
London 2012 organisers are hoping to avoid their website crashing by making tickets available during a six week window rather than on a first come, first serve basis.London 2012 organisers are hoping to avoid their website crashing by making tickets available during a six week window rather than on a first come, first serve basis.
Ticketing websites often struggle to cope with the first rush on a major event, and sometimes crash.Ticketing websites often struggle to cope with the first rush on a major event, and sometimes crash.
"Why don't they plan for this?" is the usual cry. In most cases they could, but it all comes down to money."Why don't they plan for this?" is the usual cry. In most cases they could, but it all comes down to money.
If companies designed their systems to comfortably cope with occasional massive spikes in traffic, they would be over-specified for the rest of the time.If companies designed their systems to comfortably cope with occasional massive spikes in traffic, they would be over-specified for the rest of the time.
Imagine a department store that invested in 20m-wide doors just to cope with the January sales.Imagine a department store that invested in 20m-wide doors just to cope with the January sales.
However, new technology could help deal with the busy periods, without causing costs to skyrocket.However, new technology could help deal with the busy periods, without causing costs to skyrocket.
Cloud computing allows companies to hire 'virtual' server capacity from specialist data centres.Cloud computing allows companies to hire 'virtual' server capacity from specialist data centres.
There is clearly a lot of prestige associated with an event like the Olympics, and getting it right would be a feather in the cap for London 2012.There is clearly a lot of prestige associated with an event like the Olympics, and getting it right would be a feather in the cap for London 2012.
One thing buyers should be wary of is turning elsewhere if the main website does go down.One thing buyers should be wary of is turning elsewhere if the main website does go down.
There will be plenty of bogus retailers out there, waiting to get hold of their credit card details.There will be plenty of bogus retailers out there, waiting to get hold of their credit card details.
Several events will be free, such as the marathon, and 2.5 million tickets will be available for £20 and under. Others start at between £30 and £50.Several events will be free, such as the marathon, and 2.5 million tickets will be available for £20 and under. Others start at between £30 and £50.
Children under 17 will be able to "pay-your-age" to see some of the early heats, while the over-60s can watch for £16 at the same events.Children under 17 will be able to "pay-your-age" to see some of the early heats, while the over-60s can watch for £16 at the same events.
In total, there are 8.8 million tickets but some 1.2 million are reserved for various government bodies, the London mayor, sponsors and athletes.In total, there are 8.8 million tickets but some 1.2 million are reserved for various government bodies, the London mayor, sponsors and athletes.
Games organisers have faced calls from the London Assembly for a record of all tickets reserved for officials, politicians and VIPs to be published.Games organisers have faced calls from the London Assembly for a record of all tickets reserved for officials, politicians and VIPs to be published.
A further two million tickets for the Paralympic Games go on sale on 9 September.A further two million tickets for the Paralympic Games go on sale on 9 September.
There has been some criticism of the ticket-buying process as all online tickets can be only paid for with a Visa card.There has been some criticism of the ticket-buying process as all online tickets can be only paid for with a Visa card.
Olympics organisers Locog say this is in recognition of Visa's sponsorship of the Games, but critics say that is unfair.Olympics organisers Locog say this is in recognition of Visa's sponsorship of the Games, but critics say that is unfair.
Visa Europe has said people who do not have a Visa debit or credit card and do not wish to get one can obtain a Visa prepaid card to purchase Olympic tickets.Visa Europe has said people who do not have a Visa debit or credit card and do not wish to get one can obtain a Visa prepaid card to purchase Olympic tickets.
Concerns have also been raised about payments made on Visa debit cards.Concerns have also been raised about payments made on Visa debit cards.
Locog says payment will be taken between 10 May and 10 June and people will be told by 24 June which events they have tickets for.Locog says payment will be taken between 10 May and 10 June and people will be told by 24 June which events they have tickets for.
This could mean money going out of bank accounts before the buyer knows which tickets they are getting.This could mean money going out of bank accounts before the buyer knows which tickets they are getting.
Efforts are being stepped up to curb ticket touting, with the government planning to raise the maximum penalty from £5,000 to £20,000.Efforts are being stepped up to curb ticket touting, with the government planning to raise the maximum penalty from £5,000 to £20,000.
Earlier, a 6.5m (21ft) clock started counting down at 1930 GMT on Monday, in the square that was the scene of great celebrations in 2005 when London won the bid to host the Games.Earlier, a 6.5m (21ft) clock started counting down at 1930 GMT on Monday, in the square that was the scene of great celebrations in 2005 when London won the bid to host the Games.
Champion rowers Pete Reed and Andy Hodge and sailors Iain Percy and Andrew Simpson pulled the covers off the clock, as 2012 chairman Seb Coe, London Mayor Boris Johnson and world champion heptathlete Jessica Ennis looked on.Champion rowers Pete Reed and Andy Hodge and sailors Iain Percy and Andrew Simpson pulled the covers off the clock, as 2012 chairman Seb Coe, London Mayor Boris Johnson and world champion heptathlete Jessica Ennis looked on.
Clad in brushed stainless steel panelling, it is two-sided with one side counting down to the Olympics and the other to the Paralympics.Clad in brushed stainless steel panelling, it is two-sided with one side counting down to the Olympics and the other to the Paralympics.
Ennis, who is aiming for her first Olympic gold at London 2012, said: "We all know that having a home Olympics is unique but the countdown clock is just bringing it all to light. It is all so exciting."Ennis, who is aiming for her first Olympic gold at London 2012, said: "We all know that having a home Olympics is unique but the countdown clock is just bringing it all to light. It is all so exciting."
Lord Coe, winner of two Olympic golds, added: "Athletes' careers are based on timing and I hope that this milestone moment excites and inspires them to compete at the highest level in 2012."Lord Coe, winner of two Olympic golds, added: "Athletes' careers are based on timing and I hope that this milestone moment excites and inspires them to compete at the highest level in 2012."


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Yes I will its a great event and I am delighted we have been able to host it in my lifetime. I will be trying to buy tickets for the athletics and rowing. My daughters want to watch the gymnastics. I think you only get one opportunity to see the Olympics in your own country. It will be a great festival of sport.
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    • Couldn't careless about this over hyped event, just booked myself and family a holiday abroad, to get out of the country while all this Olympic nonsense is going on. Can we also please stop adding to the hype on BBC news with the introduction of a countdown clock, there are more important things going on in the world other than to keep a forgotten ex-olympic athlete in the headlines.Couldn't careless about this over hyped event, just booked myself and family a holiday abroad, to get out of the country while all this Olympic nonsense is going on. Can we also please stop adding to the hype on BBC news with the introduction of a countdown clock, there are more important things going on in the world other than to keep a forgotten ex-olympic athlete in the headlines.
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    • I have applied for tickets this morning. There are only three events we want to go to and we applied for the cheapest available for each. If we get them, fantastic, if we don't we don't! I am just very lucky to live in London and within easy reach of the venues. Had we not been,I doubt I would of applied.I have applied for tickets this morning. There are only three events we want to go to and we applied for the cheapest available for each. If we get them, fantastic, if we don't we don't! I am just very lucky to live in London and within easy reach of the venues. Had we not been,I doubt I would of applied.
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    • I shan't be buying tickets. London is a long way from Cardiff, the tickets are by the sounds of it expensive and if I feel the need to watch some men run round an oval race track I can always view courtesy of my expensive tv licence. Why pay twice???I shan't be buying tickets. London is a long way from Cardiff, the tickets are by the sounds of it expensive and if I feel the need to watch some men run round an oval race track I can always view courtesy of my expensive tv licence. Why pay twice???
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    • You bunch of humbugs!No wonder Britain is no good at anything any more. Our public are a bunch of moaning, whining, whining, curmudgeons who couldn't get behind a broken down car and push to save their lives! Keep your depressing, self-flagellating to yourselves!Go team UK... I'll be there with bells on!You bunch of humbugs!No wonder Britain is no good at anything any more. Our public are a bunch of moaning, whining, whining, curmudgeons who couldn't get behind a broken down car and push to save their lives! Keep your depressing, self-flagellating to yourselves!Go team UK... I'll be there with bells on!
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