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face a deluge of criticism over their handling of the ticket sale process for next year's games.

From today (27 June), sponsors of London 2012 can browse the advertising spots available to bid on, ahead of the sales of the spots in two weeks time.

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Paralympic Games (Locog) would not divulge details of the website address of the auction, which is only open to sponsors for the time being.

The work on the trading platform has been carried out by Haymarket, owner of Brand Republic, which won the tender to build the site.

McDonald's, Adidas and Coca-Cola are among the sponsors invited to purchase advertising opportunities on Locog's digital properties.

The opportunities will be focused on the Locog website, mobile applications and other digital properties.

Brands will be offered the chance to purchase advertising spots based on how the official Locog website will look at the time of next year's games. Places are available on the news section, medal tables, photo galleries and travel information, among other areas on the Olympic and Paralympic websites.

The move by Locog follows a similar process to auction the outdoor media space available during the 2012 games.

London 2012 top tier sponsors will be given a period of exclusivity to buy up advertising opportunities.

The site where many of the ad slots will be available, www.London2012.com, offers a variety of information to consumers, such as ticket information, accommodation and travel information, jobs, and Olympic merchandise.

Organisers believe the site will be deluged with visitors before the games, as they seek out transport and ticket information.