Few Utahns bought Games tickets

Sandy resident Michelle Johnson and her husband, Doug, won't be attending any sporting events during Salt Lake's Winter Games.

Instead, the couple will snuggle up in their bedroom and watch the action from the comfort of their home.

Deseret News graphic Olympic Plans Requires Adobe Acrobat.

The couple's Olympic intentions are not unusual, according to a Dan Jones & Associates poll of 408 Utahns conducted for Deseret News and KSL-TV.

The poll taken Feb. 6 showed that 59 percent of those surveyed planned to stay home as much as possible during the Games, and another 6 percent aim to leave town altogether.

That makes Michelle and Doug Johnson typical Utahns. It also makes their offspring a little out of the norm.

The Johnson's six children, ages 13 to 22, all have tickets to Olympic sporting events. From women's aerial skiing to the men's luge final, the kids will be watching Olympic dreams unfold.

"I want my kids to remember this all their lives," Michelle Johnson said.

And her children likely will. They will be in the minority, however, according to the poll.

In fact, 9 percent of those surveyed said they purchased tickets to sporting events. Additionally, 13 percent said they stood in line in an attempt to gain tickets to free Olympic party-type events. Of that 13 percent, less than half — 47 percent — received free tickets, according to the poll.

There are plenty of free Olympic events that don't require tickets.

Still, only 30 percent of those surveyed said they expect to attend any Olympic-related activity, free or not.

Deseret News graphic Olympic Effects Requires Adobe Acrobat.

While the poll found that most Utahns, like Michelle Johnson, have a favorable impression of the Games, those surveyed gave their lowest marks to Olympic transportation and how the Games would impact their everyday lives.

In general, most on the poll approved of security planning and the way Utah communities were "dressing up" for the Games.

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E-MAIL: bsnyder@desnews.com