"All to the Games". It is with this slogan that the State is kicking off its operation to purchase and distribute free tickets to attend Olympic Games events in the summer of 2024 (80,000 to 100,000 seats). ) and - above all - the Paralympic Games (over 300,000 seats).
The title responds, in a way, to the frustrations and criticisms aroused by the first phase of ticket sales to the general public, completed in mid-March. Although not a single one of the 3.25 million places on offer remained, the promise of the Paris 2024 organizers to have "accessible" and "popular" Games was undermined: many people gave up acquire tickets because of the sums to be disbursed.
The Paris 2024 Organizing Committee argued in vain that 400,000 tickets at 24 euros found takers, or that 70% of the tickets sold did not exceed 100 euros, the idea of Games inaccessible to a very large number remained "printed" in the minds.
Therefore, it is up to the State, as well as the municipalities and departments concerned by the Games, to ensure that the summer 2024 event (from July 26 to August 11 and from August 28 August to September 8) rhymes with popular enthusiasm.
With the establishment of "a popular ticket office", as it is called - the distribution of 1 million tickets, out of the 13.5 million on sale - government and communities want to offer those "who do not cannot afford" the opportunity to attend tests.
"A legitimate role"
If there is "no question of the State becoming a regular buyer of tickets for sporting events", as Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, Minister of Sports and the Olympic and Paralympic Games (JOP) assures us, the public authorities consider that the Games will be an exceptional moment and that the State is "in a legitimate role" by implementing this free distribution of places, for which it is committing 11 million euros.
This ticketing program, which will concern all territories at the national level and not only those which will host events, constitutes an "educational" vector and "a lever of recognition", pleads Ms. Oudéa-Castéra. It is moreover according to these two axes that the government will decline it.
The bulk of the tickets acquired - 260,000 - will be for "youth". Of this “envelope”, 200,000 places will concern the Paralympic Games alone and will be allocated to primary school students, middle and high school students.
The objective is both to "enhance a spectacular event that are the Paralympic Games" and to "have an educational impact", emphasizing the consideration of disability, in particular through preliminary actions of discovery parasport. More prosaically, the Paralympic Games will take place when the school holidays are over, and tickets are cheaper.
In addition, 60,000 of these 260,000 tickets will be intended for students (in particular scholarship holders), young people engaged in civic service, or even those who cannot go on vacation and those who come under child protection. .
100,000 places for volunteers
The "recognition" component of the program is primarily aimed at volunteers in the sports movement: 100,000 places will be reserved for them. "It's normal that the state offers them something. Sport holds up thanks to them, they give free time to the community, ”notes Ms. Oudéa-Castéra. Of this envelope, more than 70,000 tickets will be allocated through federations, whether affiliated to the National Olympic Committee (CNOSF) or approved by the Ministry of Sports and JOP.
"We will also allocate places to clubs that have committed to the national program of 'inclusive clubs', that is to say that develop spaces of practice for people with disabilities," it adds. at the ministry. The government intends to increase from 1,000 para-welcoming clubs to 4,000 by the Games.
People with disabilities, as well as their caregivers, will also specifically benefit from some of the places acquired by the State: 17,400 tickets will be intended for them, with special attention for those who live in medical establishments. -social.
Finally, 24,000 places will be offered to category B and C agents (peacekeepers, nurses, administrative staff, for example). "This is to reward all those who contribute to the organization and success of this event," you explain to the ministry.
"An operational and logistical challenge"
This free distribution of tickets by the State and local authorities is unprecedented within the framework of the Games. "It's a big commitment. Not only budgetary, we agree to the Ministry of Sports and JOP. This will require a strong mobilization of State services. The challenge ahead is operational and logistical."
It will therefore be necessary to coordinate with various other ministries (national education in particular) and above all, with the local authorities which themselves set up programs for the purchase and distribution of tickets.
"We will take care to have a good articulation", we assure the Ministry of Sports and the JOP, where we explain that we must also prepare to bring thousands of young people to Paris. "Discussions are underway with the SNCF to ensure means of transport for these young people, who will mostly come from regions other than Ile-de-France", explains Ms. Oudéa-Castéra's entourage.
The government is giving itself a year to complete this "All at the Games" program. The aim is for the allocation of tickets to the various beneficiaries to be completed "by the end of spring 2024 at the latest".
