Modeling the games after soccer’s World Cup

Editor, The Times:

Thank you for your series of articles on the Olympics [“Olympic business stays in the ‘family,’ ” page one, Nov. 17].

Unfortunately, it is disheartening to see how the Olympic ticket sales are being managed, and the price gouging occurring within package sales. I think the Vancouver Organizing Committee and the International Olympic Committee can learn a lot from those who organize the World Cup for soccer.

I attended the World Cup in 2006 held in Germany. I was able to obtain nine tickets to three games at their face value through a lottery system. When looking for hotels in the two cities that hosted the games, we found reasonably priced hotels close to the venues with great public transportation.

I had a great time at a reasonable cost.

What I am reading about the Olympics puts a bad taste in my mouth, and really taints my view of these games. I hope something can be done to make the Olympic experience similar to what FIFA creates for World Cup soccer fans.

— Peter Krippner, Seattle

King Street Station sure to be a memorable eyesore

Within 90 days, Seattle will accidentally become host to thousands of Olympic fans, overflowing from Vancouver venues, eager to see what our city has to offer.

Many of them will take the train service from Vancouver to King Street Station, a poorly lit, rundown building with absolutely no amenities, and no connecting bus service — it’s a quarter mile to Metro and two miles to Greyhound. There is no hospitality center with directions to close restaurants or attractions, and here’s the kicker: no coffee — in Seattle, for god’s sake — in a place where people are milling around waiting for late trains.

King Street Station is an embarrassment to Seattle.

If this is the way we present ourselves to our guests, what does that say about us? Our Port of Seattle spares no expense at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, but in a time when more and more people are considering the train, here we are with King Street Station, the gateway to Seattle.

— Rick Sullivan, Seattle

The lesser-known vampire who makes people swoon

The recent Seattle Times article “One man rules ticket empire” [page one, Nov. 16] said Sead Dizdarevic is from Yugoslavia?

I was thinking Transylvania, where most blood suckers are purported to have come from.

— Thomas J. Munyon, Marysville