The figures for the first phase of ticket sales for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games have come out, all hot from the oven of the Organizing Committee (OCOG), a month after the controversy over the price of tickets for the most anticipated event of the decade in France. And, according to Tony Estanguet, there is reason to be satisfied with the number of tickets sold. A "success", he says, defending the pricing policy put in place.

This first phase put on sale in packs of three tickets minimum (30 maximum) nearly a third of the 10.5 million tickets for the 2024 Olympic Games. Of these 3.25 million tickets, nearly 13% were sold at 24 euros, 70% at less than 100 euros and 4.5% at more than 200 euros, detailed the organizers.

Two-thirds French buyers

"This gives a good idea of the distribution," said Thursday Tony Estanguet, the boss of the organizing committee of the Olympic Games of Paris (Cojo). Buyers are two-thirds French, he said, adding that a total of 158 nations were represented among the buyers.

Shortly after the launch of this first phase, on February 15, criticism appeared on social networks concerning the prices sometimes considered prohibitive of certain places, such as these tickets at 690 euros for qualifiers in athletics for example.



This wave of tension, shaking the objective of "Popular Games" displayed by the organizers, had forced them to justify themselves, recalling that one million tickets at 24 euros would ultimately be offered to the public, and five million at 50 euros and less.

The subject even landed Wednesday in the Senate during the session of questions to the government. The Minister of Sports and the Olympics, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, questioned on the issue of these fares deemed excessive, reiterated that she was attentive to the "accessibility" of tickets.

"Generate income and ensure a popular festival"

"There is such an expectation, such a craze, that in any case we will not be able to satisfy everyone. We are sorry, "said Tony Estanguet. "We're sorry. But from there to say that it is a failure there no, we can not, "he engaged. "We sold a third of our tickets in three weeks, it's a huge craze. It's a real success," he said.

The second phase of ticket sales, this time individually, will begin from March 15, with a new draw. This time, 1.5 million tickets will go on sale.

Tickets for the unprecedented opening ceremony on the Seine - with tickets ranging from 90 euros to 2,700 euros - will be put on sale, as will access to the closing ceremony.

Grand finals soon for sale

"The biggest finals, the most requested moments will arrive there for sale," said Tony Estanguet. Prices for the finals of some sports will vary between 50 euros and 160 euros for breaking finals for example, or between 95 and 980 euros for basketball finals.

"We have issues that are difficult to reconcile, both to generate revenue (...) and another to ensure that it is a popular festival, "acknowledged the boss of the organizing committee.

The projected ticketing revenue is expected to bring in nearly €1.4 billion, including hospitality (high-end packages), out of an overall budget of €4.4 billion, or one third of the Organising Committee's budget.

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