A few months before the Paris Olympic Games, young parents of children find themselves disoriented: will they have to buy an expensive ticket at the last minute so that their child can accompany them, or give up on this historic event?
A viewer’s warning message
Coraline, who lives abroad, purchased tickets to the Olympic Games several months ago. “ I was lucky enough, with my family, to be part of the first “waves” of people called back, in February, to access the ticket office for the Olympic Games. With my parents and my in-laws we decided to all get together specifically for this occasion that we had never experienced. We have therefore invested in several ticket packages to make the most of this event. »
Six months later, Coraline became pregnant. Her baby is due in April 2024, just three months before the Olympic Games. “ We will go to my parents during the summer as planned. However, with the current ticket rule, I would have to take care of my child for every sporting event to get me there, or I would have to forgo attending.. »
Because, in fact, tickets do not provide any flexibility for spectators accompanied by a newborn. “It is necessary for every spectator, regardless of age, to have a ticket to attend an event. This means that a newborn, even a few weeks or months old, must have a ticket to accompany their parents,” explains Coraline.
The viewer recalls that even during the 2012 London Olympic Games, similar rules sparked controversy, leading the Olympic Games organizing committee to reverse its decision. “ Following complaints from young mothers, the organizers finally allowed children born between the purchase of tickets and the matches to participate in the events without an additional ticket.. »
“ Any ticket holder who has become pregnant in the meantime, has given birth and wishes to bring her baby to the Games will be able to do so. The child must obviously be under 12 months old and will only be admitted if securely attached to one of his parents using a baby carrier. “, declared the general director of the organizing committee, Paul Deighton, at the time.
A firm position on the part of the Olympic Committee
Contacted for this, the Organizing Committee of the 2024 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games seems not to be losing its mind and do not consider following the British example. The norm is recalled” Every spectator will be required to have a paid ticket, regardless of their age. “To defend itself, Paris 2024 cites security reasons and a limited number of places on the competition sites” even if you have a baby in your womb “. But the committee also notes a clear improvement compared to the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. In fact, to watch the competitions, spectators had to be at least 3 years old.
“ This effectively excluded parents who wanted to bring their young children with them. This is not the case with the events of Paris 2024. It is normal for Committees to decide on these rules which, like legislation, evolve. Until 2007, for example, even in France it was not allowed to take children under 3 years of age to the cinema. On the other hand, it was forbidden to bring a stroller or pram to the Stade de France, for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. » recalls a spokesperson for Paris 2024.
In fact, strollers will be authorized this summer. “ We have provided spaces near the stands to allow spectators to store them “. Likewise, wall-mounted folding changing tables will be installed in the toilets. Children therefore seem welcome, but it was still necessary to anticipate their birth and buy them a ticket before they were even conceived.
The spokesperson for Paris 2024 wants to be reassuring. “By the summer there should be a resale of tickets, then it will be possible to buy them again.” It also draws attention to the existing family offering for the Games Paralympics, but not Olympics: “ for the purchase of 2 adult tickets it is possible to purchase up to 2 children’s tickets for the price of 10 euros “.
Is there a possibility for young parents?
If parents do not have the possibility, nor the financial means, to buy a ticket for their children, what can they do? For lawyer Sonia Cherifi, the possible appeals are limited. “ Organizers are free to set their own conditions and by purchasing the ticket the parents have accepted these clauses of the contract. »
The General Conditions of Sale provide that possession of a ticket to attend the Games is mandatory. But article 5.4 also specifies that “ in particular for safety reasons, access to the Sessions and/or the Sites is not recommended for children under 4 years of age. », a clause that theoretically every buyer should be aware of.
“ Nothing in the Consumer Code indicates that a preferential rate should be applied for infants or children » recalls Sonia Cherifi. However, the possibility remainssend a written request to Paris 2024 customer service by registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt, ” by keeping a duplicate of the mail, or by email with read receipt » advises the lawyer.
“In the event of an unsatisfactory response, or in the absence of a response within one month, the private individual can contact the consumer mediator free of charge by writing to the CNPM CONSUMER MEDIATION 27 avenue de la Libération 42400 – SAINT-CHAMOND France, or on the website Consumer mediation CNPM. »
And if this doesn’t work, and it is complicated to organize your child’s care during the competition, there is still the possibility of reselling or transferring seats through the official resale platform which will open in the coming months.
Of course, this last possibility leaves the young parents bitter. Some have decided to speak publicly about what they consider to be an injustice on the part of the Paris 2024 Games and to open a petition on the site Exchange. Petition which has so far received little response.
“ Parents of newborns should not be penalized financially for wanting to share this historic moment with their children, whatever their age.” regrets Coraline. “ In London, in 2012, it took several interventions and requests from young parents for the organizing committee to change its mind and end up allowing newborns to participate in the Olympics. “. Will it be the same this year?
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Source: Madmoizelle
Mary Crossley is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. She is a seasoned journalist who is dedicated to delivering the latest news to her readers. With a keen sense of what’s important, Mary covers a wide range of topics, from politics to lifestyle and everything in between.
