BEIJING, Aug 24 (Reuters) China has allocated nearly 1.6 million tickets to more than 300,000 peopl

BEIJING, Aug 24 (Reuters) China has allocated nearly 1.6 million tickets to more than 300,000 people for next year's Beijing Olympics in the first round of booking, the official Xinhua news agency reported today.

Over one third of the 720,000 applications for an initial batch of 2.2 million tickets -- for the opening and closing ceremonies and other major events -- were allocated tickets, the agency said, citing Olympic ticketing officials.

Soccer and basketball events were among the hottest tickets, as well as those for China's traditionally strong sports, such as gymnastics and diving, it said.

China is issuing tickets in several phases, with the next batch to be allocated in October, Xinhua said.

Organisers will sell about seven million tickets to the public for next August's Games. Prices range from 30 yuan ($3.97) to 5,000 yuan.

REUTERS TB RN1643