It would be an understatement to say the ticket application process for next year's Games didn't go very well. In the first round of applications hundreds of thousands of people missed out. Then, when the remaining 2.3m tickets went on sale on a first come, first serve basis, the website crashed.

And to cap it all 15,000 people who thought they had secured tickets second time around were then informed there had been a mistake and they actually hadn't.

Sadly it became a tale of the haves and the have nots.

But if millions of people want to experience the Olympics in this country then unfortunately there were always going to be some who ended up being disappointed.

It's testament to just how amazing the Olympic fortnight will be that so many people wanted to be a part of it.

And if you are one of those have-nots then don't despair as there are still ways in which to secure what will be the hottest ticket of the year.

Currently there are just four sports in which tickets have yet to sell-out; football, volleyball, and two types of wrestling – freestyle and Greco-Roman.

While football might not feel like an archetypal 'Olympic' sport, it's worth knowing that not only are the tickets some of the cheapest around (as little as �20 in the early rounds and for that you get two games) but there's a good chance that some of Great Britain's top young talent will be involved. David Beckham, left, has even been rumoured as possible manager.

Tickets for these events will go back on sale later this year, again on a first come, first serve basis.

However, it is also likely tickets for some of the more popular events will be up for grabs again in the near future.

A spokesman for the London 2012 Organising Committee (Locog) said recently: 'Over a million new tickets will be offered to the British public next year from contingency seats, once venues are tested and licensed, and we aim to get as many of these tickets as possible into the hands of customers who have missed out to date.'

Early next year those with tickets will get the opportunity to sell them on (at face value) if, for instance, they suddenly realise they cannot attend a particular event.

But the best way to get in on the action may be by not even shelling out for a ticket – because a series of events; race walks, marathons, road cycling and road cycling time-trial races will be available for free.

Failing that several holiday firms are offering special Olympic packages, though these tend to be on the expensive side.

If you intend to search out such a company the official London 2012 website has a handy guide on how to avoid buying tickets from a disreputable trader.

If you just want to enjoy some decent sport in an Olympic venue another good bet is to attend one of the many test events being held over the next 12 months.

The London Prepares series will take place in the Olympic venues and will include sports such as mountain biking, beach volleyball, basketball, BMX, diving and cycling.

Then, once the action begins, there will be a host of free 'live' sites which will feature bands, big television screens, sponsor products and entertainment across the UK. You won't be there but you will get to savour the Olympic atmosphere.

Failing all of this there is one other way of getting in on the action – we do after all need scores of British people to battle for the medals themselves.

But unless you have got a particular talent in a sport and have time for the hours and hours of training needed that's probably stretching it a little bit far.