Wednesday, November 18, 2009 - Page updated at 11:05 a.m.
A Seattle Times special report
Freezing out the fans
The Olympic ticket monopoly: Vancouver's Olympic organizers promised an affordable, fan-friendly Games. But tickets available to the public are often out of reach, bundled into packages costing far beyond face value.
High prices put Games out of reach for many
Olympic tickets are hard to come by, and hotel rooms are scarce. But one company can help fans find both — after a hefty markup.
Athletes' families race for tickets
After years of supporting their children's dreams, parents of Olympic athletes often face an expensive, last-minute dash for tickets and lodging.
MIKE SIEGEL / THE SEATTLE TIMES
General Motors Place, the Vancouver Olympic hockey venue, can hold about 19,000 people. But at the Winter Games, the general public may have access to as little as one-quarter of the normally available seats. Olympic insiders, sponsors and media get the rest.
Ticket monopoly brings one man big profit
Sead Dizdarevic, who controls most of the world's Olympic 'hospitality' business, makes an enormous profit through connections and cunning.
Tony Law / Redux, 2008
Sead Dizdarevic carries the Olympic torch in May 2008 in Huizhou, China, in the relay leading up to the Beijing Summer Games.
Olympic business stays in the 'family'
In the lucrative field of ticketing and travel, a small group of interconnected Olympic business insiders -- all with ties to the Salt Lake 2002 Olympics -- plays a powerful role behind the scenes.
GEORGE FREY / AFP / Getty Images, 2002
Members of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee celebrate the opening of the Olympic Village in January 2002. From left in the front row: Chief Financial Officer Fraser Bullock; Olympic boosters Spence Eccles, "mayor" of the Olympic Village, and his daughter Lisa Eccles; and SLOC Chairman Robert Garff.
Scalpers find niche in Olympic market
Vancouver Games organizers vow to crack down on the black market — even though the best source of scalped tickets is 'Olympic Family.'
Still determined to get seats? Read these tips before you buy
Fans without tickets might get lucky in B.C.
MIKE SIEGEL / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Don Dow, owner of a sports travel company, sells Olympic ticket-and-room packages to affluent clients. A former University of Washington football player, Dow stands on the sidelines at Husky Stadium during a recent game.
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