LET THE HYPE BEGIN

Atlanta's Olympics committee announced today that seven million tickets for events at the 1996 Summer Games will go on sale May 1. TIME Atlanta correspondent Sophfronia Scott Gregory says 35 million mail-order forms for the tickets will be distributed by sponsors Coca-Cola and Home Depot, most likely through retail displays. Gregory says prices range from $6 for first-round baseball games to $636 for the best view of closing ceremonies. "They're making a big deal about how tickets are plentiful and affordable," says Gregory, although she noted the cheapest tickets are for obscure events like handball. Another four million choice seats will be reserved before May by VIPs and sponsors.