Fani Palli-Petralia, Greece’s Deputy Culture Minister, told a Greek newspaper that the state could appeal for lower prices at the Athens Games if sales remain slow.
More than half of the five million tickets for the Games remain unsold, although prices are generally lower than the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, because of Greece’s lower wages and weaker economy.
It would be embarrassing to have a low turnout at some events in Athens, the birth place of the Olympics.
Palli-Petralia said, “the first bet is for us to be ready. The second bet is to fill the stadiums”.
The organizing committee said they were counting on the Greek habit of making last-minute purchases to boost sales. Some sports, such as sailing and soccer, are nearly sold out. But other sport unfamiliar to Greeks, such as baseball and field hockey, has many seats left.
