round 2 beijing olympic tickets up for grabs
04 December 2007 

Zhu Yan, the new director of the ticketing centre of the committee, said there would be no less than 1.8 million tickets on offer. Mr Zhu said the exact number of the remaining tickets is not known because payment for the first round of tickets ended on Friday, quotes Xinhua news agency.  People can apply for the second batch of tickets through the official ticketing website of the committee (www.tickets.beijing2008.cn) or at the 1 000 Bank of China designated branches, from December 10 to 30.

Each individual with proper identification is allowed to fill only one ticket application form to apply for two competition sessions, with no more than four tickets for each session. A person can request a maximum number of eight tickets.

“We hope people will apply for the tickets at different times to avoid overcrowding the system on the Internet or in the banks, as everyone has the chance as long as they apply within the time period,” Mr Zhu told the press.

The first-come, first-served policy was criticized as unfair and inconvenient, as only over 43 000 tickets were sold during the first two hours before the system crashed.

More than 1.59 million tickets were sold during the first stage lottery draw, which began in April. This included 26 000 each for the most-wanted opening and closing ceremonies. Tickets for events where China has gold medal hopes are in high demand.  “I suggest people go watch some less popular events and support athletes playing in preliminary rounds. It is more likely that you can get tickets for these games,” Mr Zhu advised.

Meanwhile, the accreditation process for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games by the BOCOG has begun and the deadline for the return of forms is 29 February next year, organizers said.

"The BOCOG has begun distributing press application forms and accreditation guides to the National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and accredited organizations," Yang Minghui, deputy director of the BOCOG's accreditation centre, said.

"According to Olympic charter regulations, holders of valid Olympic or Paralympic Identity and Accreditation Cards (OIACs) can use them, in combination with a valid passport or travel document, to enter and exit the host country," he said.

But he said the identity cards could not be used as free tickets to events.  "The OIAC is a working credential for carrying out duties during the Olympic and Paralympic Games, but it is not a free ticket. Only those who have reserved seating authorization will be permitted inside the venues to watch events."

It is estimated there will be 21 600 accredited reporters, photographers and broadcasters during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

– BuaNews-Xinhua
www.buanews.coza