The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the Athens’ Games organizers have reached an agreement for now. IPC President Dr. Robert Steadward said he is satisfied that both organizations “fully realize the issues and problems that need resolution before the opening ceremonies” of the Sydney paralympics.
Although the host city contract isn’t signed, Steadward said he expected the IPC would agree in principle now, with the actual signing coming in a meeting in November in Athens.
Steadward had threatened not to hand over the Paralympic flag to Athens because the IPC was unhappy with lack of organization and the slow pace of preparations to stage the 2004 Paralympics, and said he wanted a resolution before Wednesday’s opening ceremonies.
Under the terms of the contract, the IPC would sign over ticket revenue and licensing and marketing rights to Greece, and the Greeks would waive the entry fee all athletes and delegates to the Paralympics are charged.
Sydney organizers have sold about 900,000 tickets to the Paralympics, and are estimating about $18 million in ticket revenue alone. Steadward said he thinks sponsorships, licensing and merchandise sales could bring the total revenue to a potential $50 or $60 million.
But there is no widespread live TV for the Sydney Paralympics and none in the United States, but Japan, Germany and the European Broadcasting Union will show live and tape delay broadcasts to 43 nations.
Steadward said “obviously a major TV contract is the next step. But the progress is nothing short of amazing. In Barcelona, all the events were free. Now Sydney has more than doubled the ticket sales of Atlanta. This has become a secure, strong event that is able to stand on its own”.
