With just over six weeks until the opening ceremony, Ariarne Titmus‘s father has revealed the absurd amount of money he will need to fork out to follow his daughter through her Olympic campaign.
Australia’s Olympic athletes have not been allocated tickets to distribute for their events in Paris, as friends and family join the hunt to secure the final seats to support their loved ones.
Water polo star Tilly Kearns was left fuming after learning the prices spectators will need to fork out to attend her event, with Steve Titmus confirming his family has paid thousands of dollars to be with ‘Arnie’.
READ MORE: Bizarre twist as Cody Simpson eyes ‘last throw of the dice’
READ MORE: ‘Shell-shocked’ Sharks humbled as Hynes dealt blow
READ MORE: Why Blues would be ‘stupid’ to overlook Latrell
Steve revealed he, wife Robyn, and daughter Mia joined the Paris ticket lottery last year to increase their chances of getting tickets after Swimming Australia told athletes there was no guarantee of receiving tickets through the Australian Olympic Committee.
To secure tickets for the swimming in the lottery, the family had to purchase tickets to two other sports, being the football and rugby union.
“It’s a very big misconception,” Steve said on Triple M Breakfast with Marto, Margaux & Dan.
“I have so many people say to me, ‘Oh can you get us tickets?’ It’s always a big thing and we say, ‘Look, we can’t even get tickets for ourselves.'”
“This has been a case for ever since we’ve been involved in the sport. Whether you go to world championships, Commonwealth Games, we go to the Olympics.
“There’s no such thing as free tickets and we got our tickets through the French public ballot, $20,000 (AUD) cost all up.
“Look at it this way, there’s about 10,000 athletes that go to the Olympic Games. Now you imagine if they gave away, say four tickets to every athlete, that’s 40,000 tickets.
“Ticket prices are starting at about $500 (AUD). The thing about the swimming though is the stadium doesn’t hold that many people.
Watch Australia’s Paris 2024 swimming trials on Nine and 9Now.
“There’s an enormous amount of money involved. We’re paying something like, you know, 1,000 Euros to see Ariarne’s 400m. I think it’s the most expensive event in Olympic history.”
The exorbitant cost does not include two of Titmus’ heat swims, however, will allow the family to witness the superstar defend her Olympic titles in the finals.
Titmus has booked her ticket to Paris and will compete in three individual events – the 200m, 400m, and 800m freestyle.
The two-time gold medallist sent a fierce message to her rivals on day three when she and Mollie O’Callaghan demolished the 200m world record at the Olympic trials.
Steve Titmus said he was confident in his daughter’s performance leading into trials, revealing she was feeling “really good.”
“We knew going to the pool Arnie felt really good and she said that she’ll do her best and of course, she’s booked her tickets to Paris, and look, we just can’t wait,” he said.
“The Aussies are looking absolutely fantastic, bring it on.”