体坛英语新闻：Commonwealth Games 2014 ticket strategy unveiled

EDINBURGH, May 13 (Xinhua) -- Organizers of the Commonwealth Games 2014 to be held in Scotland's largest city of Glasgow on Monday unveiled a "family friendly" ticketing strategy with a pledge that the event would be "accessible to all."

The announcement was made at a press conference in Glasgow, detailing that two thirds of all briefs for the event on July 23 to Aug. 3, 2014 will go on sale for just 25 pounds (about 38.41 U.S. dollars) or less, while flagship sports will feature a tied pricing structure so as to ensure it is a "Games for everyone," with half-price concessions available to children and those over 60, the online Scotsman newspaper reported.

Tickets for one of the most eagerly anticipated events, the men's 100 meters final, will start at 15 pounds, rising to 90 pounds, while prices for the opening ceremony at Celtic Park range start at 40 pounds, going up to 250 pounds.

The ticketing program was designed during a period many months and reflects the vision and values of Glasgow 2014 to make the games accessible to all, said Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Organizing Committe Chairman Robert Smith.

"We have listened and learnt from previous Commonwealth Games as well as the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games." he noted, adding that the event is a games for everyone and that success is not meant just for the organizing committee or partners, but also for the people of Glasgow, Scotland and the Commonwealth.

The first phase of ticket sales will be open from Aug. 19 to Sept. 16. A ticketing guide, which includes an application form, will be available on July 23. Ticketmaster, the selling agent, will conduct all sales via online and by post, said the report.

For those sports where high demand is expected, such as the 100 meters final, tickets will be allocated through an independent and computerized draw, it added.

If a member of the public requests four tickets, they will either be successful or unsuccessful. No one will be offered one, two or three tickets. The price of a ticket includes access to public transport in the local area on the day of each event.

Glasgow 2014 said at least 70 percent of all tickets would be available to the public, with just 8 percent set aside for sponsors, who would also have to pay, and in the athletics competition, there are six price categories, but for most other events there will only be two or three price bands.

Twelve sports would be held on the first day of competition, including swimming and track cycling, and a total of 17 sports and 261 medal events will be contested at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, according to the organizing committee.