Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 19, 1995                   TAG: 9504190018
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: BEN BEAGLE
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

THERE ARE SOME SWEET SUITES IN ATLANTA FOR OLYMPIAN PRICES|

Atlanta should have treated Scarlett O'Hara so good when she was visiting with Aunt Pitty-Pat before Sherman came.

The Atlanta Committee for the Oympic Games is looking after you, pilgrim.

For example, it's offering the Olympic Suite Program.

You can get your own executive suite to watch various events. It looks to me like you're supposed to bring your own booze, but this is a deal you can't turn down.

Let's start at the Omni Coliseum, where you can "experience the heart-pounding thrills served up by volleyball players from around the world. Prices starting at $70,000.''

Or get your suite at the Georgia Dome - aerial acrobatics, basketball and gymnasts. Basketball starts at $120,000 and gymnastics begin at $232,000.

Or run on over to the Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium and watch baseball from your suite for prices starting at $29,000 - if you don't mind being put down as thrifty.

I should say here that the committee's computers didn't qualify me for an invitation. A friend of mine, who did qualify, let me look at his mail on the condition I wouldn't get envious.

I think he's going to get a suite at Stanford Stadium in Athens, Ga., for soccer. It's a great deal starting at $10,500 and he doesn't mind being called thrifty.

I should also say that most of the mail I get isn't that interesting. I get a lot of applications for nursing home insurance.

I should also say here - with all respect for the committee and for the players - that I've never seen a volleyball game during which my heart pounded.

Likewise, gymnasts make me go to sleep - which I can do at home at no charge to myself. Usually on the sofa. Sometimes walking behind the lawn mower.

This committee has thought of a lot of ways to make a buck. I'm surprised you can't buy a lap around the stadium carrying the torch - starting at $400,000.

The commitee has a modest offering, too. The Games Patrons Program includes a lot of bleacher tickets, a reception, your own badge and much more. We're talking a mere 50 grand here.

As far as I can tell, no matter which program you choose, you'll have to bring your own cardiologist - starting at his usual fee - to check you out if your heart pounds too much during those volleyball games.