By Tom Degun at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry
September 19 – London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe claimed today that he is confident tickets for the football tournament at the Olympic Games next year will sell-out.
There has been unprecedented interest in tickets for the London 2012 Olympics with 25 of the 26 Olympic sports selling every seat available.
But football is the only Olympic sport not to sell out with around 1.5 million tickets left at the end of the first two sale phases and set to be put back on sale for a third time in December this year on a first-come-first served basis.
Coe today visited the Ricoh Arena here which will host Olympic football next year and said that he feels the venue – like all the other Olympic football venues – will have every seat occupied during the Games.
“I am confident that all the football tickets for the Olympics will be sold,” he told insidethegames.
“I know how passionate football fans are in Britain and this it is a country that really gets sport.
“It is deep in the DNA of all communities here.
“There are many fantastic, world-class stadiums that will host the Olympic football competition next year just like the Ricoh Arena here in Coventry and I am certain that people will want to get along to be part of the unique opportunity that is London 2012.”
The Ricoh Arena will be called the City of Coventry Stadium during 2012 to protect the Olympic sponsors and, with a capacity of 32,609, will be the smallest of the six stadiums that hosts the London 2012 football competition.
The other five stadiums will be Hampden Park in Glasgow, the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Old Trafford in Manchester, St James’ Park in Newcastle and Wembley Stadium in London which will host the final.
During Coe’s visit to the Ricoh Arena, he was shown around by a number of dignitaries, including the chairman of the West Midlands for 2012 David Moorcroft, a former teammate of his when they were both among the top runners in the world.
He also met head groundsman at the Ricoh Arena John Ledwidge who, at 25-years-old, is the youngest in the UK.
“With less than a year to go, the West Midlands are experiencing major benefits from our involvements in London 2012,” said Moorcroft, the former world record holder for 5,000 metres.
“Coventry is seeing significant investment in its public spaces; Birmingham hosts the USA and Jamaican Track and Field teams and is of course also hosting the opening night concert of the London 2012 Festival.
“Everyone across the region can experience the excitement of the Torch Relay, get involved in Cultural Olympiad events or run their own Community Games. I urge everyone to have their own 2012 moment.”
George Duggins, the Deputy Leader of Coventry City Council added: “We are delighted to welcome Lord Coe to our fine city.
“London 2012 is set to be the best games ever and we are proud that Coventry and the people who live here will be part of what promises to be the greatest sporting event the world has ever seen.
“It really is a once in a lifetime opportunity and we are getting ready to play or part alongside creating a lasting legacy for local people stretching way beyond next year.”
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