It’s been almost a long time since sports figures criticized the pricing policy around the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. And then the president of the International Athletics Federation Sebastian Coe spoke on this subject on Monday, during a conference call with news agencies. “It is my responsibility to ensure that our sport takes place in as good an environment as possible,” explains the World Athletics boss. The French organizing committee must do everything it can to fill the stadiums, even if the ticket prices are high. »
More than 7.6 million tickets have already been put on sale for the Paris Olympics. Some are offered at a minimum price of 24 euros, but others, particularly for athletics competitions, cost up to 690 euros. “Our concern will always be to have supporters in the stadiums to watch events at affordable prices, which allow us to develop our sport,” insists Sebastian Coe.
“Take into consideration” the families of athletes
He points in particular to the need to “take into consideration” the families of athletes, who will travel to encourage their loved ones. The former double Olympic champion in the 1,500 m (in 1980 and 1984), who was at the head of the organization of the London Olympics in 2012, wished “good luck” to Tony Estanguet, the president of the French organizing committee , and to his collaborators. He therefore hopes “that the Games will take place in complete safety and not in an atmosphere of confinement”.
France is preparing to host the Olympic Games in Paris from July 26 to August 11, 2024. This is an extraordinary competition in terms of its organization, made even more complex due to the international context of the wars in Ukraine and between Israel and Hamas.