Fans scuffle for tickets to Beijing Games
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Scuffles broke out at at least one Olympic ticket kiosk in Beijing earlier today as thousands of eager fans, some of whom had been waiting in line for two days, swarmed sales windows, knocked people to the ground and bent metal barricades. Witnesses told the Associated Press that a stampede occurred at one ticket site after officials unexpectedly opened additional sales windows. ‘It was so unfair,” said Ji Liqiang, who waited for 28 hours in line. “It was very dangerous. I was afraid. People got hurt around me. They fell and injured their knees and elbows. A barricade was bent out of shape by the crowd.” The ticket rush also added to growing concern that Chinese officials won’t adhere to their promise to let journalists cover breaking news stories in and around Beijing. This morning, some journalists were escorted away from a ticket kiosk after reportedly moving into what Chinese authorities described as an ‘off-limits area.’ Hong Kong television channels are airing footage of journalists pushing back and forth with police. Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post newspaper reported that one of its photographers was hit by police, arrested and detained after taking pictures during the scramble for tickets. A spokeswoman for Hong Kong Cable TV described the incident as ‘unacceptable.’ A spokesman for the Hong Kong Press Photographers Assn. told the South China Morning Post (subscription required) that ‘Beijing has promised to allow complete freedom for overseas media to report the Games in China. However, looking at how our photographers were being treated, we really doubt it. I hope the authorities can concern and improve the situation.’ -- Greg Johnson |