London 2012 recently announced the ticket allocations for the families of athletes competing at the Games, which has been described as a "huge kick in the guts" by Australian Swimmers after they found out their ticket allocation would be just one.

London 2012 indicated to insidethegames that due to the popularity of the swimming event and the relatively small size of the 17,000 seat Aquatics Centre, they could not issue as many tickets to the National Olympic Committees (NOCs) as they could for the bigger venues, such as at the at the 80,000 seat Olympic Stadium, but added that it is up to the NOCs to cater for their athletes, which they suggest the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) may not have done sufficiently for their swimmers.

"We have allocated tickets to National Olympic Committees and it is up to the individual NOC how those tickets are distributed – including how their athletes are catered for," a London 2012 spokesperson told insidethegames.

"In addition, we have enabled athletes to purchase extra tickets for events they are competing in – we have made more available than any previous Games in this regard."

Rice faces the prospect of having to choose between her parents, her sister and boyfriend Quade Cooper, the Australian rugby star, and she expressed her bemusement at the situation.

"I cannot believe that the people who are on the journey with you are being snubbed," Rice said.

"I thought two tickets each for Beijing was pushing the limits, but one each is just outrageous."

Australia's double Olympic medallist Geoff Huegill also joined in the chorus of protests. 

"To be honest, it is simply unfair," he said.

"How can I decide out of 15 family members and support crew who watches me at the Olympics and who misses out?

"The venue accommodates around 17,000 and the ticket agency is telling us we get one ticket.

"Do they realise this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us?

"I want my fiancée there, my business partner, my mum and brother; the list goes on."

Despite the option to purchase extra tickets for events they are competing in, they will not come cheaply for athletes buying them for family members; a premium ticket to a semi-final or final for swimming in London will cost around £450 ($719).

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