Beijing organisers offer cheap tickets for Games

BEIJING, Nov 29 (Reuters) Beijing Olympics organisers are selling over half the tickets for the 2008 Games at less than 13 dollar each to allow as many people as possible a chance to attend the event.

Tickets to competition events would be priced from 30-1,000 yuan (3.85-128 dollar), with preliminary sessions starting from 30 yuan and finals tickets 60 yuan, the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (BOCOG) said today.

Fifty-eight per cent would be no more than 100 yuan, BOCOG added on its official Web site.

''The Organizing Committee was guided by its commitment to ensure the greatest number of people would be able to experience the Olympic values and spirit,'' BOCOG said.

''The result is a ticketing programme that reflects the characteristics of both the Olympic Games and their host country.'' Tickets will be on sale in China in the first half of next year.

REUTERS AY ND1148