Featured image credit: Zakarie Faibis/CC BY-SA 4.0/Edited for size
Alcohol will not be sold in venues during the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris, according to reports.
French newspaper Le Parisien has reported that the only spectators permitted to consume alcohol at Olympic venues will be those with VIP tickets. The decision to not sell alcohol to general admission ticket holders has been taken by the local organising committee.
The sale of alcohol is not permitted at sports stadiums in France due to the Evin law, which was introduced in 1991. France is also hosting this year’s Rugby World Cup and fans will be able to drink alcohol at stadiums during the tournament after an exemption was negotiated by organisers.
Such an exemption has not been sought for Paris 2024, meaning that fans will have to make do with soft drinks while watching the action.
Fans attending the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympics were able to purchase beer and wine at venues. No fans attended the Tokyo 2020 Games due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the sale of alcohol would have been banned at venues.
Alcohol was not served during last year’s FIFA World Cup in Qatar. FIFA made the announcement on the eve of the tournament, effectively restricting sponsor AB InBev to selling its alcoholic beverages to fans in hospitality areas.
The decision marked a major about-turn for FIFA after it was initially agreed that fans would be able to drink prior to kick-off.
Next year’s Olympics in Paris will run from July 26 to August 11.
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