China unveils new design for Beijing Olympics tickets

New Delhi: Beijing has unveiled the designs for this summer's Olympic Games tickets.

Last November, an overwhelming demand for tickets caused the system to collapse, leaving thousands angry and without tickets.

However, 1.38 million tickets will be released on May 1, with many high-tech features to prevent fraud and copying. And it appears the anti-Chinese protests over Beijing's handling of the riots in Tibet have had no effect on international ticket sales.

Despite widespread international calls to boycott the games, two-thirds of the seven million tickets available to the public have already been sold.

If anything, the problem is that overseas demand keeps on rising, Zhu Yan, director of ticketing for the Games, told a news conference.

"The general situation is that Olympic tickets have received an enthusiastic welcome," he said.

"The main pressure at the moment is that all around the world there is continuing demand to add tickets,” he added.

Beijing organisers were in close touch with National Olympic Committees, who handle ticket sales outside China, to ensure there were enough tickets, Zhu explained.

"Beijing organisers keep digging out resources for tickets to satisfy demand from all over the world," he said.

China unites traditional Chinese culture with the Olympic spirit in the design of Beijing Olympic tickets.

A total of 1.38 million tickets will be released in this round for 16 sports, including boxing, softball, beach volleyball and wrestling.

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