Jul 05 (Japan Today) - Overwhelmed by unprecedented demand, Tokyo Olympic organizers said Thursday they hope to run another ticket lottery next month for residents of Japan who got nothing the first time.
Millions of Japanese were let down last month when they came away empty-handed in a lottery for next year's Olympics.
The bad news is that — despite a last-minute change of plans — most applicants will be disappointed again.
There simply aren't enough Olympic tickets to go around with demand soaring in Japan and elsewhere as Authorized Ticket Resellers — the Olympic agents contracted to sell tickets outside Japan — have also opened sales worldwide.
Demand is being driven by the 35 million people who live in Greater Tokyo, and is in sharp contrast to the last Olympics in Rio de Janeiro where tickets were being given away or went unsold.
"The demand from the general public indeed exceeded our expectations," Tokyo spokesman Masa Takaya told The Associated Press. He said organizers were "absolutely pleased" by the interest.
Takaya said another lottery — open to all Japan residents — would be held by the end of the year as organizers rejigger their plans.
Greg Harney is the senior adviser for Cartan Global, the authorized reseller for much of Latin America and the Caribbean. He's attending his 19th Olympics, and this is a first.
"I've never, never seen interest in attending the Olympics like we have in Tokyo," Harney told the AP.
Takaya did not say how many tickets had been purchased in Japan so far. He said he would give the number on Friday.
Organizers say there are about 7.8 million tickets for all events. However, an estimate from one previous Olympics suggests that up to 25% of these are off the table immediately, going to sponsors, international federations, 200 national Olympic committees, dignitaries, and so forth. In addition, Tokyo says between 20-30% are set aside for foreign buyers.
