London Latest -- Trees, Tickets, and Travel

LOCOG Denies Best Tickets Already Sold

LOCOG refuted claims that the best seats for the Games have already been allocated to a pair of sports hospitality companies.

Reports suggested that New Jersey-based JetSet Sports and a joint venture between leading British ticket agent Mike Burton and French catering company Sodexo had each signed deals gaining access to the top tickets at premium events. However, LOCOG categorically denies that this is the case.

“We are hosting the two biggest sports events on the Planet so providing tickets to international audiences to come to London (and the UK) is a standard part of hosting an international event,” a LOCOG spokeswoman tells Around the Rings.

“Less than 1% of the tickets will be sold internationally through JetSet. These tickets cover all sports and will cover a range of prices.

“These international visitors are an important part of inbound tourism to London and the UK that major events such as the Olympic and Paralympic Games can provide."

JetSet has been official hospitality provider at every Games this century. The company is an exclusive ticket agent and travel provider for several major Olympic committees including the US, Canada and Australia.

Mike Burton has long been at the vanguard of the hospitality market at major rugby union events such as the World Cup, Six Nations and Lions tours. He is also a major player at Wimbledon and leading golf tournaments in the UK. His union with food specialists Sodexo has given them access to close to 70,000 tickets for 2012.

Around the Rings understands that negotiations for the two deals began early last year, and followed standard procedures for sporting events. No ticket mark-ups are allowed but both organizations will expect to make big profits through accommodation and catering packages.

However, LOCOG insists that neither of the two groups will sew up the best spots at prestige occasions, such as the men’s 100 meters final. Tickets are spread across all sports, so handball and taekwondo will figure alongside the more glamorous athletics and swimming in their portfolios.

No tickets will go on sale until 2011, the LOCOG spokeswoman confirmed.

Olympic Park Going Green

A former industrial site in Stratford will become one of the largest parks in the city if organizers get their way.

More than 4,000 trees along with 300,000 wetland plantswill be planted in Olympic Park and Olympic Village. The Olympic Delivery Authority hopes to transform the site into a "green oasis" with wooded hills, meadows, ponds, lawns and gardens.

“The Olympics will create a stunning green oasis in East London that in legacy will join the long list of world famous parks London is so lucky to have," Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell said.

"Nowhere else will have features like the Great British Garden, wetlands and new wildlife habitats sit side by side with world class sports facilities. This will be a destination that the whole nation can be proud of.”

Bridge Placed at Rowing Venue

A new 50-meter bridge now spans Dorney Lake to mark the finish line at the rowing venue.

The bridge was lifted into place onTuesday as construction continues at the Eton College Rowing Centre. Construction started last September to improve the facility to host the Olympics.

"Dorney Lake is a first-class venue and the enhancements we are delivering will create the best possible facilities for the world’s best athletes to use in 2012," said Olympic Delivery Authority Chief Executive David Higgins.

"Lifting in a new finish line bridge completes a key part of the enhancement works and keeps us on track to deliver improved facilities well before the Games begin in 2012."

VisitBritain Olympic Campaign

VisitBritain will operate a tourism campaign over the next three year as a lead up to the 2012 Games.

The new Olympic campaign involves the use of social media and five themes – dynamic, classic, luxury, Generation Y, and gay and lesbian travel.

Travelers can access to information via www.visitbritain.com .VisitBritain is a national tourism agency that promotes traveling throughout the British Isles.

VisitBritain estimated that the Olympics will bring $3.4 billion to the tourism industry from 2007 to 2017. The post-legacy period could be worth $2 billion, according to the agency.

To subscribe to Around the Rings Click Here

Written by Adrian Hill in London and Sam Steinberg.