2012 Olympic Tickets...There is Another Option!

by Matt Hodder⁽¹⁵⁾

Never before had people been so keen for money to disappear from their account. On the 31^st May, 2011, people throughout the UK were waiting anxiously to see whether they had been successful in their application for 2012 Olympic tickets.

They had filled in their application forms over a month ago and now their moment was here. Would they have got what they wanted? Would they have got anything in this much criticised ‘lucky dip’ approach to ticket allocation? The tension for some would have been palpable!

According to reports, approximately 1.8m people bid for tickets and over half were to be disappointed! Around 55% of people were unsuccessful in their search for any tickets.

On 7^th June 2011, it was announced that there would be a second chance for those who missed out first time as the remaining tickets would go on sale on a first-come first-serve basis.

Many people will be desperately trying to secure something, anything to mark this historic and once in a lifetime opportunity to see the Olympic Games in their own country. Never before have people in Britain been so passionate about seeing Women’s Weightlifting or the third quarter final of the Men’s Handball tournament!

But is there another option? What can you do if, like me you didn’t apply for tickets first time around, let alone second?

Two and a half weeks after London 2012 has been consigned to the history books, the London 2012 Paralympic Games will begin. Traditionally seen as the Olympic Games’ ‘little brother’, big things are expected of the Paralympics in London. Team GB finished second in the medals table in Beijing 2008, and the British public are well aware of successful Paralympians such as swimmer Ellie Simmonds and wheelchair athlete Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson. But why choose the Paralympics over the Olympics?

Firstly these events will be largely taking place in the same venues which hosted the Olympics only weeks before, so you’ll be able to visit the Olympic stadium, Velodrome and Aquatics centre in exactly the same way. Secondly, there’s the cost. 75% of all Paralympic tickets will cost less that £20, with 95% costing less that £50. And for those who would say “Yeah that’s all well and good but the Olympics is the pinnacle of human sporting achievement and the Paralympics just isn’t up to the same standard”, just consider the story of athlete Natalie Du Toit. The South African swimmer became the first amputee to qualify for the Olympics, where she placed 16^th in the Women’s 10k swim in Beijing in 2008. Later that summer she went on to take her tally of Paralympic swimming medals to 11 (10 gold and 1 silver.)

There is no doubt that the Olympics in 2012 will be a memorable occasion for all who see it, whether from inside one of the state of the art venues or from the comfort of their own home. But if you did happen to choose to go the Paralympics, instead of the Olympics next year, I guarantee you will be witnessing truly inspirational athletes. Athletes for whom life is just that little bit harder and who’ve faced just that little bit more adversity, and who will achieve more than most of us will ever do in our life time!

Article submitted Thursday, June 09, 2011 & read 1055 times.

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» left by Julian Price⁽¹⁸⁰⁾ (256 days 18 hours ago.)

Great Article Matt! I think there will be a clamour for Olympics tickets right up to and during the event itself but you make a good point about their being an excellent alternative! Welcome to Sperts!
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