London Olympics 2012

London Olympics 2012
Independent London Olympics

Saturday 25 June 2011

Hugh Darrington: My Olympic Story

In 1948 my brother law (who as 18 at the time) went up to the Olympic games every day to watch something.

The only sport I ever like to watch is the Olympic Games and I was really thrilled when I heard it was going to be staged in London again.  I was really looking forward to going to the Olympic Stadium and sharing in the experience with the nation from the ringside.

It never occurred to me that I would not be able to get a ticket.   I was disappointed not to get a ticket in the first round and when the website opened yesterday I did everything right.  I got up early and when six o'clock came I applied for a single session at the athletics.  I don't want to watch horse riding, archery, shooting or football.

When I completed my application  the website said it couldn't process it and I should try later.  I tried every two minutes for about an hour and when I got back on all seats were sold.

As my wife and I are in our 70s, this is our only chance to go to the games.  We can't afford huge prices either. I can't understand why such a ridiculous system was set up to sell tickets. LOCOG must have been aware that by inviting everyone to buy at once the system would crash. We wanted to go the stadium which we have watched being built and we wanted to be there just once to see and share it in action.

I just can't tell you how disappointed I am.  Now I have got to watch the Olympic Games being thrust down my throat every day for the next year knowing that I am an outsider and can't share in it.

I wish we had never won it.

Hugh Darrington 


Email enquiries@londonolympics2012.com if you want to contact Hugh Darington

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