Nobody wants to go to Sochi

Kavitha A. Davidson

All of the concerns about human rights and safety might be catching up with the organizers of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. The Associated Press reported today that hundreds of thousands of tickets to next month’s games remain unsold, with fans staying away because of cost, security and visa issues.

The organizers say 70 percent of 1.1 million tickets have been sold, while 15 percent are being held for sale once the games begin. They are confident that last-minute sales will prevent the embarrassment of empty seats. The Olympics have been touted as a source of great pride for Russian President Vladimir Putin, despite numerous problems including terrorism concerns. Last month, two blasts just a day apart killed more than 30 people in the southern city of Volgograd. Yesterday, Russian authorities issued notices for four “black widows” sent to carry out attacks and disrupt the Olympics, including one thought to be in Sochi already. Officials have also identified two women believed to be planning an attack in the coming days in Rostov-on-Don, where the Olympic torch arrives tomorrow.

Such threats would explain why ticket sales have been slowing down in recent months. In October, RIA Novosti reported that 60 percent of the tickets had been sold in two installments, with the third and final release scheduled for Nov. 10. Now, there are about 300,000 left. Last week, Bloomberg Businessweek noted that tickets listed on fan resale sites had increased by 50 percent from the week before, suggesting “availability is far greater than the demand.” By comparison, 97 percent of the 1.54 million available tickets to the 2010 games in Vancouver were sold. U.S. fans were notified of the near-sellout more than 13 months before the opening ceremony.

Because of security concerns, Russia can’t expect a boost from foreign fans. And it will probably have a tough time selling domestic fans on the cost, despite organizing committing Chairman Dmitry Chernyshenko’s optimistic estimate that 75 percent of spectators will be Russian citizens. Putin has boasted the affordability of the tickets - the cheapest tickets cost $15 and more than half the tickets sell for less than $150 - but the problem most Russians face is accessibility. Transportation to the remote city of Sochi is largely out of reach, with flights costing more than half the average monthly salary of $860.

Coupled with the unattainable prices of the merchandise in Sochi’s Olympic Village, including a $720 polyester winter coat and a ski jacket that runs for $400 - on sale - it’s clear that this Winter Games is not for the everyman. Given its lackluster ticket sales, it might not be for any man, either.

*Kavitha A. Davidson, Bloomberg View sports columnist