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Millions of Games tickets still available
Athens Olympics organizers have sold less than half of the 5.2 million tickets available just 10 days before the start of the Games. Tickets for the Games' opening ceremony on August 13 as well as for the closing ceremony and the finals have almost gone but millions more for qualifying events remain unsold, organizers said on Tuesday. "We have sold 2,205,273 tickets with revenues of 157 million euros, 86 per cent of the amount budgeted," said spokesman Michael Zaharatos. He said organizers aimed to sell 3.4 million tickets or 64 per cent until the Games start with a total revenue of 183 million euros. "So far, 87 per cent of tickets for the finals and semi-finals of Olympic sports have been sold," he said. Despite a last-minute surge in sales, including a record 38,000 tickets snapped up on Monday, ticket sales have failed to meet expectations. Zaharatos said some 4,000 tickets a day were sold in June and July. Initial estimates that Greece, because of its geographic location and its historical link to the Games, would sell more tickets than Sydney in 2000 have not materialized. Growing international security concerns and Olympic preparations marred by delays and in-fighting have added to a drop in sales after Sydney witnessed nearly filled stadiums in most sports. Even Greeks have not rushed to the ticket stands, with a study last month showing that only seven out of 100 locals had bought tickets by July. Athens will welcome 10,500 athletes from 202 nations. The Games' costs have soared to over US$7 billion, more than double the 2000 Sydney Olympics and 30 per cent more than initially expected. Security alone will cost US$1.2 billion. |
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