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Beijing Olympic Watch: Go for the Gold Now

The Beijing Olympics may be a year away, but New York Times reporter Austin Considine says those hoping to snag a room for the big event should act now. Reservations are going quickly--if they aren't already gone--and tickets for the games and flights are just as hard to come by.

Fans of gymnastics and javelin had a chance to enter a lottery to reserve spots for specific events before June 30. But for those who missed the deadline, Considine offers a realistic alternative. Olympic Dreamers can pay a little extra to secure select tickets with CoSport, the only official ticket agency in the U.S., or shell out some serious dosh to online ticket brokers instead.

He also advises travelers to book airfare now, since flight schedules will be tight. With cancellations resulting in next-day departures, it's possible travelers could manage to miss the main event. To avoid the hassle and the headache of fall-through tickets or missed-connections, Considine suggests going with a tour company:

Of course, if you're heading all the way to China, there's a lot more to see than just Beijing. And planning a tour of China gives you something of a safety net if your tickets don't come through. ... For tour operator listings, try the China National Tourism Office

And while it sure makes life easier, we've got an alternative of our own: Watching the games at home.

Related Stories:
· Beijing Travel [Jaunted]
· Beijing Hotels [HotelChatter]

[Photo: vipeldo]