12 August 2009 – A key objective for Madrid’s bid to host the 2016 Games will be to make sport accessible for everyone and to fill every seat in every venue. With just 50 days to go until the IOC’s final decision, Madrid promotes its 50-50 rule for selling tickets to the 2016 Games. If the Olympics and Paralympics are hosted in the Spanish capital, Madrid will guarantee that 50% of the tickets will be priced under the equivalent of US $50.

“A key concept of our bid is that Madrid 2016 will be the Games with the Human Touch; a Games for everyone. We believe the price of the tickets needs to reflect this. We want as many people as possible to come to Madrid to join in the celebration of sport, the Olympic values, and our city’s Mediterranean way of life during this unique event. The very best way to enjoy the competitions is to be in the stadia, living the Olympic atmosphere and we want to offer this opportunity to as many people as possible,” said Madrid bid chief Mercedes Coghen.

Madrid already has a receptive audience, as Spain lives sport with passion. Of the 50 million inhabitants over 36.5 million watched some footage of the Beijing Olympic Games last year. With the Games hosted in their own country, 63% of Spanish citizens living outside of Madrid say they will travel to the city to take part in the 2016 Games.

Madrid’s unique position in the centre of Spain and Europe will also encourage many visitors to travel to the city and take part in the Games. The city is very close to the international airport and is already a popular and safe tourist destination. Visitors will be able to combine their summer holidays with attending a world-class sporting event and with the city immersed in visual aspect of the Games, Madrid will offer a unique experience. When the sporting events are over, the celebrations will continue in the streets so that one ticket to Madrid 2016 will offer so much more than money can buy.

– ENDS –

For further information please call Malcolm Munro on + 44 7795013006 or Nicky Blunt on +44 20 7861 3107

www.madrid2016.es

VNEWS Agency distributes Madrid 2016 footage relating to daily news of the Olympic bid. These videos are free of rights and can be accessed via satellite or FTP download. Please view samples at www.vnews.es (section Madrid 2016).

For further details, please contact Alberto Goytre or Carmen Bond at VNEWS, alberto.goytre@vnews.es, +34 662 361412.