Paris Olympics 'expensive' ticket prices mar image of Games for all

Paris Olympics 'expensive' ticket prices mar the image of Games for all

Athletes have joined the criticism of high ticket prices for the 2024 Paris Olympics, which have been condemned as undermining organizers' promise of a Games accessible to all.

After the first phase sold more than three million as multi-event packs, the second phase of sales began on May 11, with around 1.5 million individual tickets available.

Two-thirds of the latest batch sold quickly on the first day, organizers said.

Tickets for the men's judo heavyweight final, in which France's triple Olympic gold medalist Teddy Riner is expected to compete, sold out within two hours.

The organizing committee said, "Frankly, it started very strongly, almost too much. It's a testament to the huge enthusiasm."

But as with the first phase, there were vocal protests, particularly on social media, that the overpriced conflict clashed with Paris 2024 chief Tony Estanguet's promise of "Games for all".

"We expected criticism, we were warned that the sales period was a tough one. But we underestimated the scale," admitted Estanguet, a former three-time Olympic canoeing champion.

"With four million registered in the draw for 1.5 million tickets for sale, we knew some people would be disappointed."

Of the one million seats promised at 24 euros ($26), the minimum price for next year's Olympics, about 150,000 went up for sale in the second phase.

But because these tickets go first, potential buyers quickly find themselves facing much higher prices.

Three days after the start of the second phase, sports fans were offered tickets for €690 or even €980 for the athletics semi-finals and a maximum of €2,700 for the opening ceremony.

   'financial elite'

"Olympic games ticket prices...what a travesty," tweeted one disappointed shopper @BenjiTjumper, while @KimKy_Love wrote: "Sorry Paris-2024 but the opening ceremony is 2 times the minimum wage (!!), is this a joke?"

Athletes were also unhappy with the price.

Two-time Olympic heptathlon champion Belgian Nafisatou Thiam told Belgian media DH: "I'm not even sure my family can come to see me, it's so expensive."

World bronze medalist French judoka Amandine Bouchard slammed the organizers on Twitter: "The Olympic Games are accessible to everyone, you say... In fact, you have to take out a bank loan so family and loved ones can come and meet us... OK. At least if there are still tickets by then."

"How can we put such a high price on our game?" French runner Jimmy Graciere wrote on Instagram.

French Sports Minister Amelie Oudia-Castera defended the pricing policy, telling parliament on May 16 that ticket prices were lower than previous Olympics.

Although he admitted that: "Accessible tickets exist for 24 euros but they go very quickly."

For sports policy expert David Roizen, in the money-driven world of modern sports, a one-size-fits-all game "doesn't exist."

"The Champions League final, the Olympics, is an event reserved for the financial elite," Roijen told AFP.

"Raising the possibility of a Games for all is a mistake."

The high cost of tickets for the 2024 Paris Olympics has been met with criticism from athletes, fans, and politicians. Some have argued that the prices are too high and will prevent people from all walks of life from attending the Games.

The cheapest tickets for the Olympics are 24 euros ($26), but most tickets are much more expensive. For example, tickets for the opening ceremony start at 2,600 euros ($2,800).

The high cost of tickets is due to a number of factors, including the rising cost of hosting the Olympics, the increasing demand for tickets, and the limited number of tickets available.

The Paris 2024 organizing committee has defended the ticket prices, saying that they are necessary to cover the costs of hosting the Games. However, many people believe that the prices are too high and that they will prevent people from all walks of life from attending the Games.

The high cost of tickets is a major concern for the Paris 2024 organizing committee. The committee is hoping to attract a record number of spectators to the Games, but the high prices could make this difficult.

The committee is considering a number of options to address the high cost of tickets, including offering more affordable tickets for certain events and providing financial assistance to people who cannot afford to attend the Games.

It remains to be seen whether the committee will be able to find a solution that will make the Olympics more affordable for everyone.

The issue of expensive ticket prices for the Paris Olympics, which may affect the perception of the Games being inclusive and accessible to all, is a concern that has been raised in relation to various sporting events. However, as my knowledge cutoff is in September 2021, I don't have specific information regarding the ticket prices for the Paris Olympics in 2024.

It is important for event organizers to strike a balance between generating revenue to cover the costs of hosting such a massive event and ensuring that ticket prices are reasonable and inclusive. High ticket prices can exclude certain segments of the population, particularly those with limited financial means.

Paris Olympics

To address this concern, event organizers often implement strategies to make tickets more accessible. This can include offering discounted tickets for specific groups, providing affordable ticket packages, allocating a portion of tickets for public sales at lower prices, or organizing community outreach programs to engage underprivileged communities.

The perception of the Games being inclusive and accessible is crucial to maintaining their positive image. Event organizers, along with relevant stakeholders, should consider the socioeconomic diversity of their audience and work towards ensuring that a wide range of individuals can participate in and enjoy the Olympic experience.

For the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding the ticket prices for the Paris Olympics, I recommend referring to official sources or contacting the organizers directly. They will be able to provide you with specific details regarding ticketing policies and any initiatives they have implemented to address concerns of inclusivity and affordability.