2012 Olympics ticket deadline extended after Web site crash

LONDON - The deadline to apply for the 6.6 million tickets available to the public for London’s 2012 Olympic Games was Tuesday extended by an hour after the official Web site crashed due to high demand.

The site froze an hour before the six-week window to apply for tickets was due to close as demand “hit the roof.”

As a result, sports fans were given until 23:59 GMT Tuesday to apply, an hour later than planned.

More tickets will be released closer to the two-week event, which kicks off on July 27 next year but organisers have stressed that the initial release is the best chance to land a seat.

“Applications have been steady but at a high level, which is in line with operational expectations - but this week it has hit the roof,” said London 2012 chief executive Paul Deighton.

AFP