Olympic tickets for babies - update from LOCOG

[KatieMumsnet]

Hi all

Following our big discussion on this a couple of months ago - LOCOG have just announced that babes in arms (or slings, to be more accurate) WILL be allowed into olympic venues.

There are a couple of exceptions (eg Wembley Stadium, that has licensing laws in place that mean babies still can't attend) but in nearly all other Olympic venues, babies under 12 months will be let in for free (without tickets).

Big for all your hard work!

Well done!

12 months, I assume!!

Babies under 12???

I'm not sure my 10yo will fit in a sling.

Well done, by the way. The power of MN once again.

is it on the condition you stand/sit by Katie whatever her name is? I hope so!

I meant Katie Hopkins not Katie MN (thanks google for your help)

Good news for our family! Thank you Mumsnet

Gawd I knew I'd make that mistake - 12 months! Will go and change in the original post now. I have to confess as well as the great altruistic feeling of knowing that lots of Mumsnetters will now be able to attend - god it feels good to say Ha! to Katie H.

Yes indeedy, I just got the same email, copied in full here; thank you to those at LOCOG who did listen about this matter - I am very grateful that we'll now be able to take our what-will-be-about-3-wk-old 3rd son with us to complete a memorable family trip to the Equestrian eventing :-)

Dear London 2012 Customer,

Further to your enquiry regarding babes in arms we are pleased to advise you of the following:

Babes in arms, aged 12 months and under, will be permitted access to London 2012 venues without a ticket if they are securely strapped to their parent or carer by way of a baby carrier, sling, papoose or similar. This policy applies to all London 2012 venues except Wembley Stadium, St James? Park, Old Trafford and North Greenwich Arena which have existing licensing agreements whereby spectators must have a ticket no matter their age.

We would advise that parents think carefully before bringing their baby to the Games. The transport system will be busy, there will be queues at venues and some venues may be hot.

Parents of babies must adhere to the LOCOG bag policy which is one bag per ticket holder which must be able to fit under the seat. In addition they will need to adhere to the food and drink policies for spectators.

Buggies/pushchairs cannot be taken into the venues, but they can be left at the buggy parks which are located close to the venues.

Our babes in arms policy only covers babes in arms aged 12 months and under. Other children will require a ticket at all venues.

If you have any further queries please check our frequently asked questions.

With kind regards,

London 2012 Ticketing team

Thank feck! My 4mo has been refusing a bottle!

Excellent news!

I will avoid the temptation to paint Olympic rings on my breasts, to ensure dd's food+drink does not contravene the rules. I assume that's what they mean...

Still not gonna be a goer for us :(

We have a 5 month old son who we didn't know about at when we applied for tickets to the North Greenwich Arena?14 months ago!!! I have repeatedly called Ticketmaster and complained to them and also in writing, but all I get is the same inane response about "All babies need tickets to this event, We'd be happy to sell you a ticket for your baby.....except there aren't any available".

So either we have to forfeit our tickets or only one of us goes with our son. I have even used the phrase active discrimination against breast feeding mothers, but they seem somewhat unmoved.

Disappointed it wasn't a policy LOCOG rolled out across all venues. Any advice anyone, or are others in this same predicament?

Im really cross today!! I was so pleased to hear that they changed their policy as I am breastfeeding my daughter. However, I was really disappointed to hear it wasnt across all venues. I therefore phoned to get a childs ticket for wembley only to be told it was impossible unless I purchased another adult ticket- i already have 5! I phoned back and spoke to customer services who said I could get a child's ticket added and would sort it out for me but needed to speak to account holder. The account holder phoned back and were told no it had to be done online but shouldnt be a problem and gave instructions. But now it says there are no tickets available in the same band when there were when I first started trying. I was and am furious. The next band up is £95 for a seat she wont use and they seem to say one of us will have to go to that seat and sit alone- ridiculous! I have now sent many letters of complaint to everyone I can think of because of the contradictory "advice" I received. I have had to write as I was told there was no way to complain over the phone. The staff were incredibly rude and unhelpful and I just cant understand why they all said different things!

So im currently stuck and it looks like some of us wont be able to go or we'll have to pay out £95. Any ideas? I know some people would say dont take her but we're having to travel down to London for this, She doesnt take a bottle and would struggle to settle for such a long period of time. I dont want to deprive her of milk and I would just worry about her not settling especially as she's in a clingy phase right now. It's a nightmare that could so easily have been avoided if the first person I spoke to had given me the proper advice!

Sorry I ranted a bit!

Thanks for the update.

What event is happening at Old Trafford? That's a bit far out of London isn't it?

So do you need a special baby ticket or something or do you just turn up with them in a sling?

Does anyone know if you have to take ID/proof of age for your baby. My daughter is on the top of the size percentile, so don't what to been told by security that she is not under 12 months and can't take her in. Thanks

" In addition they will need to adhere to the food and drink policies for spectators"

Does this mean the baby will only be able to eat and drink items bought in the stadium?

MummyofN, I'd take her birth certificate or passport just in case.

Josephine not everything is happening in London - there is football at Old Trafford & the Millenium Stadium, might be other venues too. I have this feeling mountain biking is in Derbyshire but I might be making that up!

I've just discovered that this part of the policy DOES NOT apply to Hampden and I would suspect many of the other football stadia being used for the games.

"Buggies/pushchairs cannot be taken into the venues, but they can be left at the buggy parks which are located close to the venues."

Please don't take this policy for granted, if you intend to take a pram along I'd advise making sure the facilities are in place before setting out.

Zippy, I'm in the same boat. I have a 7 month old exclusively breast feeding baby who will not take a bottle and is not interested in food. I took her to the Olympic Stadium with no problem, but have been in the same circle as you.
The ridiculous thing about the whole situation comes down to money. Why sell a ticket that costs 125 pounds for 1?
I don't know what to do either! Guess I'll try calling the number tomorrow and demanding to talk with supervisors that don't tell me, "just get a baby sitter".