If a report of Headlines Today, a reputed news channel, is to be believed, then next year’s Rio de Janeiro Olympics could be a disappointing one for fans. For the reasons best known to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), they could not reserve their quota of tickets with the International Olympics Committee (IOC), the governing body of the multi-sports events, for Rio 2016 Olympics. Hence, Indian fans would not be able to witness the next year’s Olympic Games live at the venue.
Rio 2016 Olympics
A rule has to be followed for selling tickets for Olympic Games online. Usually IOC selects an Authorised Ticket Reseller (ATR) for every nation. A country can’t appoint an ATR on its own. The discretion of the IOC is final in this matter. It is the standard procedure followed in the gala event.
According to the report, the IOA has failed to do the paperwork required for the purpose before the deadlines. Due to this blunder, the tickets would not be sold in India online. It is hardly believable that no fan from the land of 1.25 billion would be able to watch Olympic Games live in Rio de Janeiro due to IOA’s mistake.
Strangely enough, India was bidding to host Olympics Games, just a few days back. However, this mistake would now invite a lot of questions about the IOA’s seriousness into the matter. How could you miss the deadline to secure your quota of tickets considering the large numbers of Indian fans who want to fly Brazil to witness the prestigious event live? IOA should have remained vigilant in this regard.
According to sources, IOC didn’t mention India in its list of ATRs. IOA had to sign the Ticket Sales Agreement with IOC and Local Organising Committee of the Rio Olympic Games before September 2014, but they missed the deadline. Eventually, India failed to grab tickets for the event.
Not only Indian fans even the athletes are suffering due to IOA’s indifferent attitude. They are moving from one office to another to grab a few tickets for their near and dear ones, but it’s doubtful whether they would be successful or not.
Several athletes are thoroughly disappointed because of it. They might have to play the game without the presence of their relatives or Indian fans at the stadiums. In brief, no one would be there cheering for them. The Backroom talks are still on between IOC and IOA to find an amicable solution to this ticket crisis at the earliest, sources added.
Tags: ATR, Authorised Ticket Reseller, Headlines Today, Indian Olympic Association, International Olympics Committee, IOA, IOC, Olympic Games, Olympics Games, Rio 2016, Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Rio 2016 Olympics, Rio de Janeiro, Sports
