Beijing Olympics organizers had no choice but to cancel a first-come, first-served ticket sales policy because overwhelming demand threw the process into chaos, a senior official said in an interview published yesterday.
Sales in China will revert to a lottery system, organizers said on Monday, after so many people tried to buy tickets during first-come, first-served sales last week that the computer system crashed. Ticketing officials suspended sales after less than one day.
"First-come, first-served doesn't fit China, we can't follow the example of other countries," Wei Jizhong (魏紀中), a member of the IOC Olympic program commission and a senior adviser to Beijing organizers, was quoted as saying by the state-run Beijing News.
The policy works when demand is low, he said, but the Beijing Olympics has been hotly anticipated since the city won the bid in 2001. Excitement is so high that nearly 3,500 children in China have been named "Aoyun" (
"China has 1.3 billion people but the number of tickets isn't significantly greater. If we copy other countries' sales policies, it will be a mistake," Wei said.
China has four times more people than the US and 65 times more than 2000 Olympics host Australia. The population of Beijing (17 million) is greater than the entire country of 2004 host Greece (11 million).
When the second phase of ticket sales kicked off Oct. 30, the official ticketing Web site had 8 million views in the first hour. The telephone hot line also overloaded after receiving 3.8 million calls in that hour.
The Beijing Olympics organizing committee, or BOCOG, said on Monday that sales will revert to a lottery system similar to one used in the first phase of ticketing in April.
People who want to buy tickets can submit orders between Dec. 10 and Dec. 30. The date and details of the lottery would be announced at a later, unspecified time.
About 43,000 tickets were sold on Oct. 30, when 1.85 million tickets became available. A total of more than 7 million tickets will be sold for the Beijing Olympics.
"It is encouraging to see that so many people in China and around the world are very eager to attend the Beijing Games," the International Olympic Committee said in a statement. "The new policy put in place by BOCOG ... will undoubtedly continue to ensure a fair and convenient process for all of those sports fans in China that would like to attend the Games."
Other than concerns about Beijing's notorious air pollution, preparations for the Olympics that open Aug. 8 have gone well so far. The city has earned high praise from the International Olympic Committee for its venues, and athletes had few complaints during a series of test events over the last several months.
But the ticketing fiasco was a big frustration for Chinese, some of who feel their interests have been sidelined in the flurry of preparations for the event that is expected to attract an estimated 500,000 to 800,000 foreign visitors.
Wei could not be reached. BOCOG's media office asked for an e-mailed interview request, to which it did not immediately respond.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely