Russia ready to host world athletics event
Moscow, Jul 16: With 25 days to go until the athletics world championships in Moscow, the organizers said Tuesday that all sports facilities are ready and tickets are selling.A new track was laid at the
Moscow, Jul 16: With 25 days to go until the athletics world championships in Moscow, the organizers said Tuesday that all sports facilities are ready and tickets are selling.
A new track was laid at the Luzhniki Stadium and all practice facilities and grounds were renovated for the world championships, which is set for Aug. 10-18.
The low attendance at athletics events in Russia is a concern, but the organizers voiced hope that there will be no empty spots and that all 35,000 seats for each session will be occupied.
The ticket prices vary from 100-3,500 rubles (about $3-$108).
"The prices are more than moderate," said Alexander Polinsky, executive director for the organizing committee.
He said that an extensive advertising program on television, in newspapers and on the subway -- to be launched next week -- would help attract the public.
Almost all tickets have been sold for the first weekend in which Usain Bolt is expected to run in the 100-meter final, while more than 70 percent have been sold for the second weekend.
"IAAF expects that the 5 billion audience mark set at the previous championships in Daegu, South Korea, two years ago will be exceeded," IAAF general secretary Essar Gabriel said.
A new track was laid at the Luzhniki Stadium and all practice facilities and grounds were renovated for the world championships, which is set for Aug. 10-18.
The low attendance at athletics events in Russia is a concern, but the organizers voiced hope that there will be no empty spots and that all 35,000 seats for each session will be occupied.
The ticket prices vary from 100-3,500 rubles (about $3-$108).
"The prices are more than moderate," said Alexander Polinsky, executive director for the organizing committee.
He said that an extensive advertising program on television, in newspapers and on the subway -- to be launched next week -- would help attract the public.
Almost all tickets have been sold for the first weekend in which Usain Bolt is expected to run in the 100-meter final, while more than 70 percent have been sold for the second weekend.
"IAAF expects that the 5 billion audience mark set at the previous championships in Daegu, South Korea, two years ago will be exceeded," IAAF general secretary Essar Gabriel said.