LONDON (AP) — London Olympic organizers begin a series of test events this month for next year’s Summer Games, inviting international athletes to experience many venues for the first time.
The local organizing committee says its 42-event program begins May 30 with an invitational road race to test the marathon and walk routes, which include a stretch along The Mall in central London.
A total of 150,000 tickets will be on sale for several events to help appraise ticketing technology, although many will be free to the public.
London 2012 chief executive Paul Deighton says “this is a dress rehearsal for us, but the public of course will see the rehearsal not the dress. It will look and feel quite different (to the Olympics).”
