LONDON - The deadline to apply for the tickets for the 2012 London Olympic Games had to be extended by an hour after the website crashed due to a last-minute surge.

The website crashed an hour before the six-week window to apply for tickets was due to close as demand "hit the roof".

"Applications have been steady but at a high level, which is in line with operational expectations. But this week it has hit the roof," said London 2012 chief executive Paul Deighton

As a result, sports fans were given until 2359 GMT Tuesday to apply, an hour later than planned.

More tickets will be released closer to the two-week event, which kicks off on July 27 in 2012.