I'm not really a big sports fan, but I must admit, every 4 years I do like to watch the Olympics. Sometimes I get caught up in the excitement of the strangest sports. I still remember Daley Thompson going for gold in the 70's and 80's and the epic Coe / Ovett races. For the Sydney Olympics I was getting up early every morning to try and watch bits of it before going to work. Given that the 2012 Olympics are due to take place at locations very convenient for me I'm planning to apply for tickets. But, given that I have no real allegiance to any sport, I don't know which ones. The big athletics days would be great, but so expensive - so maybe one of the earlier days. I'd like to go to a gymnastics event too, and maybe one of the lesser known sports as well. Should I just apply for one ticket, or two? and work out who to invite nearer the time. Should I assume I'll get all the tickets I apply for and budget accordingly, or assume that I'll only get 1 or 2? Decisions, decisions....I feel a spreadsheet coming on...

It's likely that evening athletics finals will end up allocated by ballot. Possibly swimming finals and all velodrome events (because GB are good at track cycling) may go the same way. Otherwise, I'd assume you'll get all the tickets you ask for.

I've been looking at the email I received and wondering what to do. It's a one off chance to see these things, but we are a family of five and live quite a distance form London. Some sports are better watched on TV as you can actually see what is going on better, so athletics doesn't appeal too much, although I bet the atmosphere in the stadium would be something to experience. With tickets at about ?50 each (for the cheap ones) I'm going to have to be pretty selective. Gymnast daughter would like to see some gymnastics, swimmer daughter would like to see some swimming, sporty son might not be too fussed what he sees.

The email gave various price bands, but didn't tell you where the seats were as far as I could see.

Is it better to go and see the heats live and then come home and watch the finals in close up with action replays and commentary? Decisions decisions.

I think I've fallen off the list. I definitely signed up to something and expressed an interest in swimming and archery tickets, but I've heard nothing at all. My son would love to attend any of the swimming as that's what he does - no preference as to sessions. Looks like I'll have to and chase someone up - or something.


Edit - hmm - just went to try and register and sure enough there's a registration already for my e-mail address. So why haven't I heard anything? I've had to go through 'forgotten password', as I've no idea what I put before, but at least, when asked, I remembered who my best friend is!

The email only came today, so perhaps it will arrive later.

Ditto.

It hasn't somehow been trapped by your spam filter has it?

I think that given it's unlikely I'll get this experience again I'm probably going to err on applying for too many rather than too few tickets. I don't want to be kicking myself in 18 months time.

There are going to be an awful lot of emails to send out. I wouldn't worry just yet...

Well I don't know anything about which events to go for at the Olympics but I have just come back from the Ski World Championships in Garmisch Partenkirchen. I had tickets for the men's and women's Super Gs. It was absolutely fantastic - the atmosphere was amazing. It is true you would actually see more on the TV but to be in the stadium with all the crowds was an experience not to be missed.
It cost 90 euros for each race but it was well worth the money for a once in a lifetime experience.

So those of you thinking about Olympics 2012 - go for it. Decide how much you are prepared to spend and choose accordingly!

Does it explain anywhere what the different price bands represent? It's hard to bid for something when you don't have even a vague idea where you will be in the arena.

This is what it says on the e-mail:

A price category
Your application will be for tickets in a particular price category rather than for specific seats or areas in the venue, which is why seating plans are not available. Most sessions will have tickets available in more than one price category.

We've applied for a few things - mainly gymnastics and synchronised swimming (don't ask!)

But that's really unhelpful. You have no idea how much better the expensive seats will be. If you book theatre tickets you can see a map of the theatre and guage whether you mind being tucked at the side behind a pillar. It sounds like a con, does that mean that if everyone opts for the cheapest seats all the tickets will be sold at that price? So you could get the best seat inthe house for the lowest amount?

I'm hopefully going to be on the medical team for the Olympics. I have my interview in 3 weeks, so I'm not sure whether to apply or not, as I don't know whether I'll be able to have time off for watching events. Something to ask at the interview I think!

Just found out I've got tickets for the beach volleyball!

Car Expert

One of the perks of working for a sponsor organisation is that there are lots of opportunities to get involved. Not to get tickets for events however! One of my colleagues has managed to wrangle 5 weeks off work to act as an assistant to some of the athletes- the job description sounds horrendous though "You are responsible for ensuring your athelete to their event on time" and so on! Can you imagine being responsible for them missing their event? Or getting them drunk the night before? And after all this, he still doesn't get any tickets!

I'm hoping to be able to spend a few days at the Paralympics in a similar voluntary role - which does come with one set of tickets to something. I think its important that the Paralympians get the same amount of support.

So who else is going to the Olympics? My only option looks like Women's Football, GB v. Brazil on Tuesday. I am not sure if I will go or not.

Athletics on the final Saturday

I've got tickets for the first morning of the athletics - Friday 3rd.

I'm planning to go to watch the Opening Ceremony at the big screen about 5 minutes from where I live.

A colleague got tickets for Friday 3rd to see whatever athletics is on. I was less fortunate and got nought.

I've got tickets for the beach volleyball on Tuesday 31st. We tried to get some tickets for the athletics, but weren't successful, so this is probably the next best event to watch outdoors...

Car Expert

My daughter has 4 tickets! Men's gymnastics on 28th July; water polo on 31st; handball on 1st August and volleyball on 2nd August. She couldn't get anything for the athletics though.

We're going to see basketball matches on Saturday 4th. We've got France v Tunisia and Spain v Russia (I think). I also got tickets for the boys for the Orbit.