REPORTAGE – According to the organizers, the iconic sites of the Games, such as the Grand Palais or the Invalides, have managed to sell between 95 and 100% of their tickets.
The new school year has begun, signaling the return to school for children and to work for adults. But at the same time, the Paris Paralympic Games are in full swing, and the fans are there to cheer on the athletes. On this first Wednesday of September, spectators are parading at Les Invalides. Brigitte, 65, and her daughter Yanna, 35, have an appointment at noon to watch wheelchair tennis at Roland-Garros. But before that, they take the opportunity to pass by the Olympic sites in the heart of Paris. “We who were at Olympic Games in Villeneuve-d’Ascq This summer, we notice that there are fewer people in the stands and around the stadiums. But the atmosphere is the same! There is a real enthusiasm, I feel proud to be French.”shares the retiree.
Because if the stands seem a little less full than during the Olympic Games in the middle of the holidays, “Overall, the number of tickets sold across the Games is very good.”Paris 2024 is pleased. In all sports combined, more than 75% of tickets have been sold. Around fifteen disciplines have posted 90% sales. And the iconic sites of the Games, such as the Grand Palais, the Eiffel Tower Stadium, Les Invalides and Versailles have managed to sell between 95 and 100% of their tickets.
That is a total of more than 2.3 million tickets sold, including more than 230,000 since the launch of the Paralympic competitions on August 28. In total, 92% of buyers reside in France. “Even with the return to school and the return to work, the public – particularly from the Paris region – is there, in particular thanks to the evening sessions which continue to take place this week, with 26 sessions scheduled after 6 p.m. And the atmosphere in the competition sites remains exceptional.”the organization continues. For comparison, the Olympic Games sold more than 9.5 million tickets for 44 disciplines whose events were spread over 15 days, compared to 22 Paralympic disciplines over 10 days.
Children benefit from places offered by the State
Among the many visitors who parade are also students, accompanied by their teachers. The State has offered 200,000 tickets to primary and secondary schools. For the 53 CM1 and CM2 students of the Châteaudun de Belfort school, the awakening was difficult. “We left this morning at 5 o’clock and leave again at 6 o’clock. But it’s for a good cause.”smiles Adrien, a school teacher. His colleague Pierre is delighted to be able to allow children to participate in this global event. “We worked with them on various sports-related topics. They are happy to be able to discover the disciplines in real life. And so are we!”notes the teacher. Anne, 10 years old, is looking forward to this stay. “It gives us an outing with the school, and thanks to the Games, we learn the rules of new sports, and we see great champions”says the student. For Kyliam, a classmate, it is also the opportunity to come to the capital for the first time. “I am happy to see the monuments”he shares. Before Alia cuts him off: “I used to watch boxing and gymnastics at the Olympics on TV, and now I’m going to watch tennis in real life!”
Other children came to the Games with their families. Like Marius, 6 years old, who came with his father Jérôme, 44 years old. “I wanted to see the archery. I liked it, even though I’m afraid of Phrygia …»says the child, who is nevertheless wearing a t-shirt with the mascot’s image. For his father, who had his right leg amputated five years ago following a motorcycle accident, these Paralympic Games are a real symbol. “I wanted to share this moment with my son. Also, for me, it’s inspiring to see that you can be a great athlete despite a disability.”he confides.
Neither Jérôme, the chef, nor Agnès, who accompanies her 12-year-old son Gabriel, needed to take a day off to come to work. “I was off today. So I bought tickets for fencing and a pass to the Versailles Exhibition Center to see table tennis, de la boccia et du goalball until tonight. The pass was only 24 euros, it was worth it. And that’s good, because my son prefers the Paralympics, he thinks the athletes are heroes.”notes the supporter. Unlike this 35-year-old from Bayonne, who came with his wife and two children to encourage his para-archer friend. “I took a day off, but it’s to support my son’s godfather, so it’s worth it. The kids are missing a day of school, but their teachers have excused us, since it’s back to school, they won’t have much to catch up on.”he concluded.
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