Spronk: 70,000 tickets sold up to mid-March
Statements made during a press conference on the European Athletics Championships 2002 in Munich held in the ArabellaSheraton Grandhotel.
Wilfrid Spronk
Wilfrid Spronk, Vice-President of the OC and Managing Director of the Olympic Park: "There has been a steady growth in interest in the European Athletics Championships in the Olympic Stadium. This has been reflected in ticket sales, as well as in the reaction from the sponsors. 70,000 tickets had been sold by the middle of March, and the promotion campaign is entering the critical phase. Regionally, the fantastic sporting successes of Gabi Rockmeier and our other local athletes have naturally been a great help. A lot has also been happening on the marketing side at national level. For example, we have responded to the growing corporate interest by introducing a hospitality programme, which gives firms in the VIP areas the opportunity to turn the Championships into a really special experience for their guests.
Mayor of Munich, Christian Ude:
"The European Athletics Championships are of prime importance to Munich and its Olympic Park. It is unique that, 30 years following the Olympic games which were such a success for Munich, such a major event should be taking place in former Olympic facilities. Furthermore, the supporting programme involves the entire Olympic Park. A special treat is the accommodation for the athletes, who will be living in parts of the former Olympic village, just as they did back in 1972. This is a truly one-off occasion! We are therefore extremely thankful to the students' union in the Olympic Centre. However, as far as Munich itself is concerned, it is not just about the sport. The European Championships are also extremely important for tourism in the Bavarian capital, with pictures of the Championships going all around the world. The marathon course, in particular, will take the viewers to the most beautiful areas of the city. The PR value of the media echo from the European Athletics Championships 2002 world-wide will be huge. In concrete terms, the Championships will also bring money to the city, with an estimated 50 million euros spent by visitors flowing into the coffers of the Munich economy. All the citizens of Munich have to do now is to ensure that they create a fantastic atmosphere in the Olympic Stadium.
