Organizers of next year's Paris Olympics have promised relatively modest prices and "equal" access to the events, thanks to an online system designed to revolutionize ticket sales and bring crowds to halls and stadiums for just $26.
However, when this month's first round of sales ends, many "lucky" winners who were chosen to buy the first 3 million tickets (out of a total of 10 million) will feel frustrated, angry and cheated because their only option during the 48-hour window they were given, they were forced to spend thousands of dollars on the packages spent on them.
To buy tickets in the first round, your name had to come up in the lottery.
Since February 13th, lucky winners have been notified by email of the window to buy between three and 30 tickets to at least three different events, out of the 32 available, with the first round of tickets ending on March 15th.
The announcement last year that there would be one million tickets for 24 euros ($26) and more than 4 million for less than 50 euros ($53) was met with enthusiasm by fans in France and around the world.
However, these tickets were collected during the first few days of the lottery, leaving the "lucky ones" to be drawn late with high prices and few events to choose from.
The construction of the Olympic village in Paris these days, photo: AFP
By the time English teacher Amelie Binney and her 9-year-old son won a lottery last week to enter the Olympic ticket office, tickets to many events were gone, and all but one of their favorite sports had sold out.
According to the options they were given, they could buy tickets for a soccer game for 50 euros ($53), but Bini would also have to buy at least two tickets for two other events.
Tickets available included basketball or handball at 150 euros ($160), swimming at 230 euros ($244) and 690 euros ($732) for an athletics qualifying event.
"Who can afford tickets at this price?"
Bini asked.
"I can't. I really wanted to buy tickets to the Olympics. I wanted my son to live this unique experience. I was disappointed with the ticket system and the prices. It's just crazy, we were cheated."
The symbol of the Olympic Games in Paris.
Not for every pocket, photo: EPA
The organizers say they are aware of the high demand and recognize that not everyone who wants to participate in the Paris Olympics will be able to get a ticket.
"We know people are going to be disappointed, and we know we don't have tickets for everyone," said Michael Aloisio, deputy general manager of the Paris Olympics, in an interview with the AP.
"But we also know that we have more sales stages opening soon with more tickets."
Robin Allison Davis, a 38-year-old American and herself an "Olympics fan", said she did not expect to find a bargain when it was her turn to look for tickets in her favorite sports - gymnastics, swimming and athletics.
She was willing to pay 260 euros ($276) per ticket, but then was disappointed that the online ticket office had turned into a virtual casino.
"I knew it would be expensive, but why does the system that promised to give me freedom and choice to create my own Olympic package trick me into buying expensive tickets to a sport I don't want to see, if I want to get expensive tickets to an event I really want to see?"
Davis said.
In total, 10 million tickets for the Olympics and 3.4 million for the Paralympics will be available on the online platform.
Single tickets will be available in the second round starting on May 11.
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