European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 18, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse The Barcelona Airport has undergone renovations including a covered Walkway to the train station that takes visitors into town. At right a worker puts finishing touches on a building that will soon. House International olympic trials by Vince Crawley staff writer with Jet Kotlers forking Over $7,500 for olympic package Tours attending the summer games could Well devastate the budgets of most people who read the stars and stripes but determined risk takers can still find a Way to go on the cheap first the had news tickets Are Tough to find outside of Spain at this late Date and getting ticket information is like trying to get a straight answer irom the Oracle at Delphi. Phone numbers for official ticket agents in several countries Are listed below but when we contacted a representative for the Agency in Germany she said and Ance sales had ended two weeks ago. Package tour operators told similar tales but All suggested calling from time to time in Case then Are changes. Roomy forecasts of overcrowding seam d Many would be visitors away from previous olympics resulting in a Iasi minute glut of rooms and tickets. The same thing might happen this summer in Barcelona. Then again it might not. Main events such is the opening and Clos my ceremonies and men s basketball finals have Long been sold out. But half of the 4.2 million tickets were still up for grabs a month ago and to percent of All tickets have been reserved for Sale within Spain. Olympic organizers predicted that As Many As 1 million would still be available on opening Day because procrastinating spaniards prefer waiting until the last possible minute. The catch is you have to get yourself to Spain and take a Gamble. In theory All you have to do upon arrival is present our passport to any of the 2,400 branches of the Anesto Hank. In practice the leftovers might make Tor dim pickings. Hanest stops Selling tickets alter Jval it 1 to about a week Atmore Showtime. During the actual games tickets can he securing tickets and rooms requires determination bought a either same Day or one Day Early a by going to the main olympic ticket office in downtown Barcelona. Expect crowds. Advance purchases Are limited to four tickets per person for most events. Prices Range from below $10 up to $90 each with 85 percent of the tickets costing less than $30. For example preliminary track and Field events run from $12 to $35. Even if you strike out Here some events such As the cycling trials Are free. And the Marathon begins up the coast in Mantro then takes a Scenic route through Barcelona before the final Uphill stretch into the stadium. There Are lots of places to stand and watch. For information on events and last minute tickets Call the Barcelona olympic committee at 3-490-1992. The operators speak English. Finding a place to stay within City limits is also an olympic hurdle. The main hotels Are booked and shipping companies have anchored cruise vessels in the Harbor to add More first class accommodations. Prices Are already reaching epic proportions. City leaders concerned about the prospects of homeless spectators Are urging private citizens to open their Homes and Many of the non spurting locals say they plan to be out of town in late july and Early August to avoid the hurly Burly. But be prepared to pay $100 or More a night for the cheapest rooms. The tourist offices provide callers with lists of agencies that specialize in room Hunting. Try calling the Board of tourism at 3-2 154477. Following Are some tourist offic e numbers. In All cases it trailing from outside a Spain be sure to add the country code a main tourist Ottice >58 Gran via de Les Corts catalans near Plaza de Cataluna 3-101-7443. A at the Airport 3-325-5820. A at the main train station. Ito de Sants 3-2503 >04. For the backpacking or it gtd Bart Elona has Comer Ted four schools into hostels. Cost is $30 a night. It s strictly first come first served and you re limited to no More than three nights unless you make reservations. Call operation Barcelona 92 at 3-412-3161. For those willing to get out of town in the evenings Many resort villages up and Down the coast still have plenty of rooms. You can then take trains or buses into and out of the City. The number for the regional tourist office is 3-237-9883. The City will be closed to automobile traffic during the summer games so those who drive will have to Park outside of town and use Public transportation which is cheap and plentiful. Less hassle but More expensive is taking the train or flying. Last minute package Tours Are spotty. Bob Wyatt of the military s scheduled airlines travel offices overseas said Sato s Tours quickly sold out in november and december and other tour openings Are Quot very few and far he recommended stopping by a local Sato office which can then Check for openings through the main office. Following Are the phone numbers for several official olympic ticket offices in Europe. Country codes Are included for those who May want to try offices in More than one country. A Belgium 32 -2-479-7775. A Germany 49 -69-156-6549. A great Britain 44 -235-554-844. A Greece 30 -1-721-0031. A Italy <39 -6-325-2765. A saudi Arabia and Kuwait 966 -1 -482-3215. The agent for Turkey is vip tourism in Istanbul. A Telephone number for the company was not available. For those who Don t make it to the summer games the olympic committee has licensed filmmaker Hugh Hudson whose chariots of fire won four Academy awards to direct a 100-minute olympic documentary Quot with elements of then again you can just watch it All on television. 10 stripes Magazine june 18, 1�?~ a 2
