From Barry Newcombe in Milan
British sports fans who want to see double Olympic gold medallist Rebecca Adlington in action at the world championships in Rome in July could be paying up to £90 for a single ticket.
The previous world championships, staged in Melbourne, were controversial for trying to supplement a shortfall in sponsorship income by charging accredited journalists for the use of a poolside position in the media tribune.
The Italian organisers of this year’s event are charging spectators from 5.30 euro for access to the heats sessions and preliminary rounds, and from 15 up to 90 euro for the finals.
By April 21, more than 40,000 tickets worth 1.5 million euro had been sold.
Fans wanting to find out prices and availability can contact www.roma09.it and click on to the ticketing option.
Roma 09 starts on July 18 and continue through to August 2. There will be 2,500 swimmers from 179 countries competing in the five aquatics disciplines.
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