There are still more than half a million tickets available for the Olympic Games, just days before the opening ceremony in Paris.
Organisers have confirmed that between 500,000 and 600,000 tickets are still to be sold, including for the men’s and women’s 100m finals. However, these tickets are cheaper than London 2012, taking inflation into account.
There are still about 4,000 people available for the opening ceremony on Friday, reports The Telegraphalthough they fall into the most expensive categories, namely £738 and £2,300.
Despite fears of empty seats in large stadiums, Paris 2024 president Tony Estanguet has dismissed suggestions that this is due to a lack of interest in the event in France.
The three-time Olympic canoeist, however, claimed that hundreds of thousands of tickets were still available, as some had been held back until seating was finalised.
There are still more than half a million tickets available for the Olympic Games, just days before the opening ceremony in Paris
Organisers have confirmed that between 500,000 and 600,000 tickets still need to be sold, including for the men’s and women’s 100 metres finals.
American Noah Lyles celebrates his victory in the men’s 100m during the IAAF Diamond League meeting in London on July 20. He hopes to take home gold at the Olympic Games
“Initially we had 10 million tickets in total, but we took 20 percent of the total as an emergency measure,” he said.
He said that in the past six months “new ticket options” had been released and “that’s why we still have tickets available a week in advance, because we now have the final plan for delivery.”
A record 8.8 million tickets have been sold for the Paris Olympics so far, and Estanguet says they have already reached their revenue target.
Most of the unsold tickets are for the football matches, but there are still places available for the cycling, swimming, rowing, rugby sevens finals and other athletics competitions.
There has also been criticism of the decision to increase metro fares, with tickets for the city’s metro set to almost double in price during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The price of a single ticket has been increased from €2.15 to €4.00 and is valid until September.
Mr Estanguet said: ‘The reason behind this award is that we had to strengthen the transport plan during the Games by 15 per cent more than is usual at this time of year.’
It comes as French union members threaten to wreak havoc at the Paris Olympics after dancers signed up for the show filed a strike notice just a week before the opening ceremony, citing low pay and “clear inequality of treatment.”
There’s only a week to go until the festive Seine boat parade. Tickets cost between £700 and £2,200, with packages costing upwards of £3,000.
Such figures for a ceremony that lasts less than four hours have angered unions, who say the profits are not being shared with ordinary workers.
Many of the 3,000 dancers, acrobats and actors who work on the show are working for exceptionally low wages or even for free. A union representing the performers says hundreds of them were recruited under “scandalous conditions.”
A spokesman for the French Union of Performing Artists said today: ‘At the moment, dress rehearsals for the ceremonies are underway and we regret to announce that a strike notice has been filed for the show on July 26, 2024, and also for the following rehearsals of the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympic Games.’
Paris 2024 chairman Tony Estanguet has dismissed suggestions that the number of unsold tickets is due to a lack of interest in the event in France.
A man walks past a sign with the Paris 2024 logo in Paris, France, July 17, 2024
Police officer stands guard at the bridge near the Eiffel Tower on July 17, 2024 in Paris, France
It is the latest disaster to befall organizers of the Games in the French capital, who are already dealing with heightened security and environmental concerns, not to mention a stalemate in the French government after a fierce election left no party with a clear majority.
The union has attempted to negotiate with the private companies that organise the Olympic Games’ opening ceremony, citing “dubious practices, blatant inequality of treatment and a lack of social dialogue during the preparations for the ceremonies”.
Many show dancers were recruited “under shameful conditions or without pay,” the spokesperson said.
It comes as other unions threaten similar strike action during the ceremony, which is expected to be attended by 600,000 people.
Evening shift salaries for entertainment industry professionals range from £50 to £1,400.
Hundreds of volunteers who earn absolutely nothing will be present all evening.
The artists’ union is part of the CGT, a general workers’ union that represents the largest number of public sector employees in France. The union has filed a strike notice that will apply throughout the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Empty chairs prepared for the opening ceremony are seen along the Seine River on July 17, 2024 in Paris
CGT spokesperson Céline Verzeletti said: “The advance notice applies to all healthcare workers, local authorities and the state.”
Police union members will receive a bonus of up to £1,700 to prevent them from walking off the job during the Games.
The Games organisers told MailOnline: ‘Paris 2024 takes the working conditions of everyone who contributes to the success of the Games very seriously.
‘We have contacted Paname 24, our service provider responsible for recruiting the dancers for the opening ceremony, to confirm the level of employment conditions in force.
‘Paris 2024 has verified that Paname 24 has strictly complied with the law in applying the collective bargaining agreement applicable to the dance profession. Furthermore, the dancers’ remuneration is above the minimum levels established in their collective bargaining agreement.
‘Paris 2024 and Paname 24 are committed to continuing collective discussions. We have a regular dialogue with the SFA-CGT union and intend to continue doing so.’