Ticket sales exceed expectations

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Jan 14, 2001 | by Lynn Zinser

SALT LAKE CITY - If the first burst of ticket sales gives any indication, Salt Lake's Olympics won't lack for enthusiasm.

In their first wave of availability, a two-month span that ended in December, the Salt Lake Organizing Committee sold 482,265 tickets of the 793,000 available - 61 percent. SLOC's budget was based on selling 83 percent of the tickets, which they thought was a rather lofty goal because most Olympics sell fewer than 80 percent of available tickets.

Now, with more than a year to go until the start of the Games, its projection might fall on the wimpy side.

But if SLOC has learned anything in its post-scandal budget projections, it's not to get too greedy. Officials were thrilled at the first wave of purchases, which earned them $55 million. They're figuring on another $5 million from people who didn't get their initial choice of tickets but will accept alternate events.

Figure skating and speedskating sold out every session in that first wave, except for the 10 percent of tickets yet to be sold as part of "premium" ticket packages. They can be bought via Web auction later this year or as part of mega-expensive ticket packages for the financially flush. Put it this way, the SLOC Web site (www.saltlake2002.com) doesn't even list the prices. If you inquire, they get back to you.

Also sold out of the regular public allotment is the Opening Ceremony, 17 of the 55 ice hockey sessions, four of the five freestyle skiing sessions and, believe it or not, seven curling sessions.

Don't panic, there are still 23 curling sessions with tickets available. Aside from hockey, it has the most extensive competition schedule.

Because the Opening Ceremony sold out so quickly, SLOC is planning to add 6,000 temporary seats to Utah's Rice-Eccles Stadium so it can sell more tickets. Only a little more than half the Closing Ceremony tickets have been sold, so SLOC is considering giving any unsold tickets to Games volunteers as a perk.

For those who bought tickets, confirmation letters will arrive in February and those who didn't get their choices will be offered alternatives. More tickets will go on sale to the general public by phone or via the Internet this spring.

WHO'S THE BOSS?: The U.S. Olympic Committee's executive committee is convening in New York this weekend and is scheduled to vote this morning on removing the word "acting" between Scott Blackmun's name and his title as chief executive officer.

Since the tumult of officer elections and the reshuffling of the executive committee is done, most expect the committee to end the CEO uncertainty now. Of course, it had two previous opportunities, but chose the muscle-flexing option of considering a national search. Meanwhile, Blackmun has continued to pick up votes of confidence since taking over for the ousted Norm Blake in October by addressing the concerns of athletes and individual sports' leaders most alienated by Blake.

Blackmun has the solid backing of new USOC president Sandy Baldwin. But, in keeping with his low-key style, Blackmun has stayed out of the process. He isn't campaigning or canvassing. He continues to say that he's "honored" the USOC has chosen him to run things, even if it's temporary.

If Blackmun is officially hired, expect him to get at least a five-year deal to signify the USOC's hope for stability and expect him not to get Blake's $500,000 salary (plus $200,000 in bonuses) to help quell the tempest over executive salaries.

OUCH: Sylvia Mabey has guts.

She's the Salt Lake woman who was injured in a November bobsledding accident at Utah Olympic Park. Mabey was a paying passenger in a bobsled driven by Randy Will - part of a fund-raising program designed to let people experience bobsledding firsthand. Some track officials left a couple of 2x4s across the track, the sled hit them and Will and Mabey suffered injuries.

Will, whose concussion left him with blurred vision and headaches, was furious at the negligence of track officials, but has apparently dropped his initial threats of a lawsuit.

More surprisingly, Mabey has accepted complimentary rides for her entire family, SLOC chief operating officer Fraser Bullock announced last week.

- Lynn Zinser may be reached at 636-0376 or lzinser@gazette.com

Spooky hollow for U.S. team

One of Salt Lake's prettiest Olympic venues is the cross-country course at Soldier Hollow, expected to be among locals' favorites for the scenery, a spectator-friendly layout and because tickets are abundant and relatively inexpensive.

But that doesn't mean anyone expects the U.S. team to have anything to celebrate there.

When Justin Wadsworth finished eighth in last week's World Cup event staged at Soldier Hollow, it was the best American finish in an international race in 16 years. They haven't even bothered holding a World Cup in the United States for the past 11 years. Bill Koch's silver medal in 1976 remains the only U.S. Olympic cross-country medal.