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American Morning
Olympic Gold for Canadian Skaters
Aired February 18, 2002 - 08:03 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: We go now to Salt Lake City and the Olympics. It is gold after all for the Canadian figure skaters, whose near-perfect performance last week was worthy of gold, but left them holding the silver, as if you don't know it by now.
In a moment, we'll talk to Olympic champion figure skater Tara Lipinski about the scandal and its ultimate resolution. First, however, Carol Lin goes in search of tickets for Olympic events and finds that, well, for the general public, they are pretty hard to come by.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR (voice-over): Just because you can get into the Olympic spirit, doesn't mean you're going to get into any of the Olympic games.
(on camera): But what did they say, when you asked about ice skating?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, it was like $500.
LIN (voice-over): And that's if you can get any of the official ticket agents on the phone.
(on camera): Yes, I'd like to buy some tickets to some Olympic events. What do you have available for Women's Figure Skating on the 21st? Sold out?
(voice-over): There were still some hawk tickets available, but get ready to pay.
(on camera): $320? That's closing ceremonies.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, yes, it's expensive.
LIN: Oh, my god.
(voice-over): So we are going to try something different.
(on camera): We're going to pick a charity and see if goodwill and a good cause can buy some influence.
(voice-over): We randomly picked a name of a charity out of the phone book and dialed the ticket agents again.
(on camera): I am calling on behalf of the Children's Miracle Network. You don't have any tickets for us?
(voice-over): I tried everything. I didn't think (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
(on camera): They are children.
(voice-over): He told me I might have luck with the scalpers. In Salt Lake City, the scalpers have to be licensed, but they don't have to be generous.
(on camera): All right. I'm looking for some tickets on behalf of the Children's Miracle Network, our charity in town.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have been out of tickets. We have sold out every show so far.
LIN: Look, we understand that it's going to be tough to get tickets right now, especially because the Games have already started. Nevertheless, we wanted to illustrate the point that even if the public as members of the public tried to order tickets months ago, chances are it would still be pretty tough. That's because a block of tickets is reserved for what is called the Olympic family. We are talking about members of the International Olympic Committee, as well as the local organizing committee, and members of the different sports federations from all of the different countries.
(voice-over): Jerry Orme is the Salt Lake "Tribune's" Olympic editor.
TERRY ORME, OLYMPICS EDITOR, "SALT LAKE CITY TRIBUNE": At figure skating, there were a lot of empty seats that were reserved for V.I.P.s. And they just reserve them, because they have to reserve them, but then the V.I.P. doesn't show up.
LIN: The Salt Lake Olympic Committee declined to be interviewed, but sent us this fact sheet indicating more than 100,000 tickets are still available.
If it makes you feel any better, Jeff and Ruby FitzRandolph did get free IOC tickets to see son, Casey, speed skate, but their tickets were so bad, they spent thousands buying new ones.
And remember the women looking for Olympic tickets? They met others willing to sell theirs. They didn't even jack up the price.
As for the Children's Miracle Network, a corporate sponsor did come through at our request.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
Yes, they got to actually see speed skating, but if you want to see some of the top Olympic events right now, get your platinum card out. Well, actually they don't take American Express, so get your Visa card out. They are the official sponsor.
On eBay right now, closing ceremonies went up from $375 up over $1,700. It looks scandal is doing pretty well for the ticket agents. And figure skating now went up from $500 to $1,100 -- Anderson, I can't afford it.
COOPER: Hey, Carol, how many more figure skating events are there? This seems to go on and on.
LIN: Yes, well, you've got the ice dancing finals tonight, and the French pair are in the lead. The Russians are second. And then, of course, you have Michelle Kwan's big competition coming up on Tuesday, and the finals for the Women's Figure Skating, the last event, is going to be Thursday. So I'm afraid you guys are going to see a few more men and women on ice this week.
COOPER: Well, listen, Carol, I think Jack is going to come over to my house later tonight, after I do "THE POINT," and we're going to just watch the Olympics together.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Yes, sure.
LIN: What a warm and cozy moment that's going to be.
COOPER: Yes, wouldn't it? Can you imagine. All right, thanks, Carol -- thanks very much.
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