A slice of the Olympic action

By PETER CALDER

The last time the Olympics were just next door, transtasman air travel was an expensive luxury. Flying to Sydney to get a taste of the Olympics may end up being more than slightly reminiscent of those days - the airfare alone, for what it's worth (see below), is almost $1000.

But for all that, these will be the most accessible games for New Zealanders for at least another half century and it's still not too late to get a slice of the action.

Ticket sales have been slower than expected at the local branch of Sports-world, the worldwide official ticket distributor. This was the only market where sales were handed over to selected travel agents. A travel-industry magazine reported last month that sales had barely reached 5000, fewer than half the target.

The company's New Zealand director, Malcolm Beattie, believes agents gave away the chance to sell tickets - referring inquiries to the distributors - because they felt the packages were too complicated.

The programme with its various packages can seem daunting, but there is something for most tastes and budgets.

The opening and closing ceremonies sold out long ago and tickets for the finals of glamour events are gone as well. But, Beattie says, there is plenty to whet the appetite of the casual punter and the last-minute Olympic fan. "You might not get to see Danyon Loader swim in the finals but you'll get to see him swim."

Casual ticket buyers may find they have their work cut out, since the best ticket allocations are for those buying packages (and if you haven't got a friend's spare room to stay in you might as well forget about flying solo).

Sportsworld's programme includes packages for three, six, nine, 12 and 18 nights, in two different price categories.

Formula One packages, offering hostel-style accommodation, range from $1995 to $4999. In a tourist-grade hotel the prices start at $3795 and top $13,000 for 18 days. These charges don't include the tickets, which typically cost between $80 and $550 for the better seats at the better events.

To watch the Dream Team tangle with the Cubans at basketball will set you back a few bob, but you'll be able to catch some of the first-round soccer action for a lot less than you pay to watch a Super 12 rugby match at the park.

Sportsworld has also organised more upmarket all-inclusive, three-night, four-event packages - the Olympic Experience and Olympic Hospitality Experience with prices ranging from $6000 to $7500.

The Games' organisers, Socog, look to make much of their money from ticket sales, hence the obscure form of compulsory scalping which requires you to buy a cheap ticket to an unpopular event in order to get your hands on a pricey seat at a must-see event.

They accept that a lot of those seats - to the elimination rounds of the Graeco-Roman wrestling perhaps - will be sold but be empty on the day.

Agents selling Olympic packages are Air New Zealand Destinations, Gullivers Pacific and Passport Events. Or contact Sportsworld direct on (09) 307 07770, e-mail sydney2000@sportsworld.net.nz