Rs 4 crore tour package for 2024 Paris Olympics promises special meet up with athletes and more

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Paris Olympics 2024 is scheduled is to be held from July 26 to August 11 and in the run up to the mega sporting event, sports enthusiasts are looking to grab a hold of tickets for their favourite sports be it the 100-metre men’s sprint long jump, high jump, or even exclusive player’s lounge access. Amid all the grand events like the opening ceremony, Indians will keep a close watch on Neeraj Chopra (javlin), PV Sindhu (badminton) and approximately 70 athletes who will be representing India in the pinnacle of sports competitions globally.

Now that the buzz for the Paris Olympics is catching up, an exclusive opportunity is on offer from GR8 Experience, an international agency co-owned by the business managers of basketball star LeBron James and tennis icon Rafael Nadal. They’re selling Olympic packages for a whopping $381,600 (around ₹4 crore), including tickets to 14 events like the men’s 100m finals and the opening ceremony. Sounds too good to be true right?

#HomeOfHospitality fly-through 🚀👀

Non-Binding Video /© Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/2A3fXqhfzx

— The Official Home of Paris 2024 Hospitality (@OlympicsHosp) May 2, 2024

The Guardian spoke to CEO of GR8 Experiences Barnabas Carrega, who revealed that they would provide super-rich clients with exclusive access, including time with athletes, but did not disclose any names. Carrega claimed that in the recent past, they had arranged private events with Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Italian Olympic skier Giorgio Rocca.

Regarding meeting costs, the GR8 Experiences CEO said that prices can range from $25,000 (approximately ₹20 lakh) for brief encounters to $500,000 for extended interactions with top athletes. He emphasised being selective about athlete partnerships, prioritising those who can offer genuine experiences over mere celebrity status.

Also read: These are the venues of Paris Olympics 2024 that will witness the best sporting action

Carrega hinted at extraordinary opportunities, like spending a week with Nadal or playing a match against Djokovic. He claimed to offer access to the Olympic ceremony’s inner sanctum, overlooking the Eiffel Tower, for $25,000 per spot.

However, the Paris 2024 organising committee stressed that official hospitality is managed solely by On Location. Buying tickets from outside official channels carries risks, including ticket cancellations or denied access, warned an International Olympic Committee spokesperson.

GR8’s detailed document to ultra-high net worth individuals, seen by the Guardian, outlined these offerings. When questioned, a spokesperson clarified that GR8 doesn’t directly sell Olympic tickets but facilitates exclusive experiences around the games. They connect clients with official resellers for ticket procurement, ensuring compliance with regulations and client satisfaction.

Meanwhile, in a recent development, World Athletics (WA) declared that every Gold medallist at the upcoming Paris Olympics will receive a cash prize of $50,000. While this decision garnered praise from athletes like Neeraj Chopra, it has ignited a worldwide discussion, drawing attention from International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach during a recent online media briefing, voiced his apprehensions regarding the matter on athletes who participate from poor countries.

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow