Olympic Tickets Now Available On-Line

The Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games started selling tickets on the Internet Tuesday. More than 600 purchases occurred in the first hour.

Using the Web as a ticket outlet allows Olympic fans to view all event tickets available, even when they change from minute to minute, says Scott Anderson, ACOG's ticket chief.

Tickets have also been sold by mail and telephone; Web-based ordering began Tuesday. The on-line ticket system will operate 24 hours a day, unlike the automated and phone systems.

To use on-line ordering, customers must have a Visa credit card, a US mailing address, an electronic-mail address, and Web browser software with a "Secure Sockets Layer" (SSL).

Though the hottest Olympic events - such as track and field, men's basketball, gymnastics, and the opening and closing ceremonies - are sold out, about 3.5 million tickets remain for women's basketball, baseball, and soccer.

*To order Olympic tickets by telephone, call (404) 744-1996. The Internet address is: http://www.atlanta.olympic.org.