Empty water bottles, crumpled snack packages and torn pages of Wednesday's newspaper littered the streets of the Olympic Green as an estimated 40,000 people lined up for their chance to buy a pair of tickets to the Olympics.

But while the dedicated few at the front of the line -- some had arrived as much as 40 hours earlier -- were rewarded for their determination, many many more were left sweaty, tired, confused and frustrated as they stood in a line that seemed to go on forever but never move anywhere. "Just tell me if there's no hope," pleaded one woman. "Just tell me I won't get my tickets and I'll go home now. It's just not worth it." Before the 9:00am sales began, her and her son packed up and left, no longer able to bear the 35 degree Celsius heat or hoards of pushy patrons. She was not the only one.

The heavy contingent of police and PLA officers tried to maintain calm, pressing people into a tight queue and, when necessary, removing those who were "too aggressive." Though some heated scuffles did break out, the police seemed to respond fairly humanely to the overall situation. They handed out bottles of water to people in the line and chatted sympathetically to others.

When the box offices were finally opened, eager fans sprinted to get their pick of the crop. The first batch of lucky buyers were practically accosted by the throng of frenzied throng of journalists as they exited the ticket center. Enterprising passer-bys also latched on, shouting money offers and promises of "great rewards" should they choose to sell off their tickets.

Though the Olympic Green was the epicenter of the ticket sales mania, no venue was safe. Long lines snaked around Worker's Stadium, site of the men's and women's football competitions, while all of the cycling tickets at the Laoshan Velodrome were gone before 10:30am. Other events that have been sold out include: Rhythmic and Artistic Gymnastics, Diving, Modern Pentathlon, Canoe-Kayak Slalom, Badminton and Triathlon.

The good news is, if you didn't get your tickets today, there is still hope. In some sports, such as basketball, a specific number of tickets have been allotted for each day. That means that even if they're sold out today, there could be a whole new bunch waiting for you tomorrow.

If you dare...

To get updated news on which tickets are available and in what supply, go to the official BOCOG ticketing website (http://www.tickets.beijing2008.cn/) OR screw the lines and do the old fahioned way: WIN SOME TICKETS.