Sports
Paralympics Tickets Beat Prediction
Some 2.7 million Paralympic
tickets have been sold – beating targets by 200,000 and predicted sales by £10m.
Chief executive of organiser Locog, Paul Deighton, said sales would bring in about £45m, showing the Games “more than washes its face” commercially.
He said high demand had prompted the release of 100,000 Park-only tickets and 100,000 contingency tickets.
As at yesterday’s afternoon the only tickets available on London 2012’s website were for Sunday’s closing ceremony.
The seats for the event, headlined by Coldplay, cost between £250 and £350.
But organisers said a few thousand more contingency tickets, such as multi-sport day passes for events at the ExCel, would be released by the next day.
Any event tickets returned by stakeholders, such as sponsors and international media, would also be put on public sale, added a Locog spokesman.
“We are heading towards a sell out, but we are still committed to making available as many tickets as possible to the public and this will continue right up until the close of the Games,” he told Tidesports source.
Mr Deighton rejected the claim that the success of Paralympic ticket sales was down to any failing of the ticketing process for the Olympics.
All the ticketing problems faced by Locog were the result of absolutely extraordinary demand against an inevitably limited supply of tickets that would inevitably lead to disappointment, he added.
Wednesday saw 230,000 people attend the Paralympics, with 175,000 in the Olympic Park and 28,000 at the ExCel centre, and the four millionth London 2012 spectator was expected later on Thursday, said Locog.
“The interest in attending the Paralympics has been extraordinary from the start,” said Mr Deighton, who was appointed Commercial Secretary to the Treasury in this week’s government reshuffle.
“The fact that there are people who would like to pay for a ticket and they can’t because they’ve already been sold is a new phenomenon so we’re delighted with that success… The Paralympics Games more than washes its face.”
An affordably-priced ticketing strategy had resulted in “extraordinary atmospheres” as families in large groups could enjoy a day out in the Olympic Park, said the former investment banker.
Half of the Paralympic tickets were priced at £10 or less, three-quarters at £20 or less and 95% at £50 or less.
Olympic Park day passes, providing access to most of the sporting arenas, cost £10 – or just £5 for children and pensioners – and passes only admitting people to the Park without being able to watch any sport were £5 (£1 concessions).
Some 90,000 tickets paid for by hospitality partners were distributed to schools.
“It’s been a great way of many people coming to enjoy both Paralympic sport and also see the wonderful venues that we’ve had available this summer,” said Mr Deighton.
The ticket-sale success showed how far the Paralympics had come in the past 20 years, when tickets for events at the Barcelona 1992 Games were free, said International Paralympic Committee CEO Xavier Gonzalez.
Even at the Beijing Paralympics, which were attended by 3.4 million people, only 1.8 million tickets were sold, he added: Some 1.6 million were given out by the Chinese government as part of a scheme to give disabled people more access to Paralympic sport.
The raised profile of the Paralympics generated by London 2012’s media coverage set a great momentum for Rio to build on in 2016, added Mr Gonzalez.
“The victory of Brazilian Alan Oliveira basically knocked out all football news in Brazil… that’s a pretty big deal.”
The Nigerian, who arrived in China fresh from winning gold at the African Senior Athletics Championships in Ghana earlier on Wednesday, clocked a season’s best of 12.41s behind Olympic champion Masai Russell and Bahamian star Devynne Charlton.
Russell produced a dominant display to win the race in a meeting record and world-leading time of 12.25s, improving on her previous world lead of 12.40s.
Charlton, the reigning world indoor champion, finished second in 12.38s in one of her strongest outdoor performances to date.
Amusan, whose world record of 12.12s remains the fastest time ever run in the event, improved significantly from her previous season’s best of 12.84s set during her victorious outing at the African Championships in Accra.
The 29-year-old was competing in a stacked field that included reigning world champion Ditaji Kambundji of Switzerland, Jamaican pair Megan Simmonds and Ackera Nugent, China’s Wu Yanni and Americans Tonea Marshall and Danielle Williams.
Kambundji, who won the world title in Tokyo last year with a Swiss record 12.24s, finished fifth in 12.82s, while Jamaica’s Nugent placed sixth in 12.98s.
Marshall and Williams failed to finish the race.
Following Amusan’s victory in Accra, the three-time Diamond League final winner expressed gratitude to her supporters while insisting she remained determined to achieve more success this season.
“Beyond grateful to God, my team, supporters, and everyone who continues to believe in me through every season. Historic feeling. Still hungry for more. The mission continues,”
The 10-time African champions are scheduled to take on the Teranga Lionesses on June 5 and 8 at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State, in what will form a key part of their build-up to July’s continental tournament.
The fixtures were confirmed on social media platform X by Super Falcons Show, which announced the details of the encounter and venue.
“Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, will take on Senegal Women’s National Team in a double-header international friendly scheduled for June 5 and 8,” the post read.
“Both matches will be played in Ikenne, Nigeria.”
The friendlies come after Nigeria’s proposed training tour of the United Kingdom, which included a planned match against Jamaica, was cancelled due to scheduling complications linked to FIFA’s official women’s international window. The timing meant clubs would not have been obliged to release players.
With that tour shelved, the Senegal fixtures now offer a timely opportunity for coach Justine Madugu and his technical team to assess squad options, test tactical systems and strengthen team cohesion ahead of the WAFCON campaign and longer-term qualification targets for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Senegal are expected to provide a competitive regional test, with their physical style and disciplined organisation likely to offer Nigeria a different tactical challenge across both matches.
The Super Falcons, who have dominated African women’s football for decades, will be aiming to use the double-header to fine-tune preparations as they pursue another continental title in Morocco next year.
Dr Bojuwoye, a seasoned medical professional with extensive experience in road running events across Nigeria, is expected to bring added value to the race through his expertise.
As medical director, his responsibilities will include overseeing emergency medical response, coordinating first aid stations along the course, ensuring athlete safety, and supervising medical volunteers and paramedics.
His role is critical in safeguarding the health of both elite and recreational runners, as well as spectators.
In addition to unveiling its new medical director, the organisers also announced five corporate partners for the 2026 edition.
The Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Petralon Energy, Razzl Drink, Dan Oil, and Carloha Motors have joined as sponsors, reflecting the race’s growing appeal across diverse sectors of the Nigerian economy.
The Okpekpe race, organised by Pamodzi Sports Marketing Company, has steadily risen in prominence since becoming the first road race in Nigeria to earn World Athletics label status in 2015.
It has since advanced to Gold Label Race status, attracting elite athletes from around the world and cementing its reputation as one of Africa’s benchmark road-running competitions.
Edo State, under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebolo, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the race, citing its role in promoting tourism, community pride, and international recognition for the region.
Race Director Zack Amodu noted that the new partnerships underscore the event’s stature and its impact beyond sport.
We are delighted to welcome DBN, Petralon, Razzl, and Carloha Motors as partners for the 11th edition. Their support, alongside the backing of Edo State, not only strengthens the race but also reinforces its role as a platform for promoting excellence, youth empowerment, and community development,’ Amodu said.
Beyond its sporting significance, the Okpekpe International 10km Road Race has become a catalyst for social, health, and economic benefits.
It encourages fitness and healthy lifestyles, fosters social cohesion by bringing communities together, and generates economic activity through tourism, hospitality, and local commerce.
The event also showcases Edo State’s cultural vibrancy while contributing to Nigeria’s growing reputation in global athletics.
The 11th edition is expected to draw elite athletes, local participants, and international attention, further consolidating Nigeria’s place on the global athletics calendar.
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