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Subscribe to RSSYour flights are booked, itinerary organized, and every few weeks you sneak a peek at those nearly impossible-to-get tickets to the Olympics. Then you realize that your new baby, who wasn’t even conceived when you made your plans, needs its own ticket – a ticket that could be just as difficult to get as yours was, and that could cost another small fortune. Some parents were gobsmacked this week to learn that babes-in-arms would be required to have their own tickets for Olympic events.
After a public outcry from moms, dads and parents-to-be, Games organizers said in a statement on Tuesday that they may change their policy, and “will look at what we can do [for parents in this situation] when the remaining tickets go on sale in April.”
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Would you take your baby to a major sporting event?
It was welcome news to many moms who say that they need to bring their babies to breast-feed, or because they have no other childcare options. Babies in a front-carrier or sling don't exactly take up more room or require their own seat (they can barely hold their heads up, let alone sit down,) although organizers have said the extra ticket is to ensure that Olympic venues don't exceed capacity.
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The Equality and Human rights Commission even told one complainant that she may have a case for “indirect sex discrimination,” the Guardian reported.
But should parents really be bringing a baby to the Olympics in the first place? Long security lines, crowded stadiums and the need to take public transport to many Olympic events are just some of the obstacles -- and germ fests -- that parents and their babies will face this summer.
Plus, London in July and August isn’t exactly like Beijing and Athens, homes of the last two Olympics. Summer in England can be downright chilly, never mind the rain. It's enough to persuade any parent to find a reliable sitter.
Would you take your baby to the Olympics? Tell us in the comments section below.
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I do not understand parents taking little babies to events like this. Aside from the hassles for the parents, it is not right to inflict your crying infant on others who are trying to enjoy the event. In addition, you are possibly exposing your infant, who has not developed a mature immune system, to all sorts of pathogens that may be harmful or deadly to an infant. Also, a crying infant can be a distraction for competitors and may cause them to lose concentration and possibly an event. As for requiring a ticket, venues have limits on the number of people allowed by fire code regulations. Last I heard, an infant still counts as a person towards that maximum occupancy. If the infant is not required to have a ticket, how can organizers ensure that they do not break the law. I know that it seems unfair to require infants to have tickets if they are not taking up a seat, but unless the fire marshal changes or waives the rules, what alternative do organizers have. Should organizers issue special "infant tickets" at no charge to keep track of the attendance count and lose the revenue for the seat they will then leave empty??? In the end, I am just not sure that an olympic event is the best place to take an infant.
I wouldn't pay a dime to go to the Olympics because it is just a big money pit and benefits only the few at the top...its not about the Olympics or the athletes its all about the money and the winners are always showered with corporate money to be their front man once they win..its to commercialized anymore and takes the fun out of it, you are shuffled around like cattle at these events ..and as far as taking a baby out there get real you got to be out of your mind or just a plain old idiot.
Obviously, you have no children. Would I take an infant to the Olympics, depends on my baby sitter situation and what event I plan to go to! But never say, "You don't have a right", or from another point of view, that infant has just as many rights as you do whether it has a ticket or not.
Even today, I can't get over the selfish people in the world!
Mike,
With "rights" come responsibilities. If that baby has a right to attend the event, then it has a responsibility to have a ticket.
Agreed-you have a choice,but then deal with the consequences.The policy was not "no children/babies" but that all attendees need tickets.It's like going to a fance schmancy restaurant and then bitching about there not being a kiddie menu
"that infant has just as many rights as you do whether it has a ticket or not."
No, as a matter of fact the infant has zero rights whatsoever to distract from a competition that the athletes spent their entire lives practicing for.
One badly timed outburst from your rug rat and their career is wasted?
Wow you're amazingly wrong... keep the infant at home. They have no place being in an arena with thousands of screaming fans anyways... I'm not sure why irresponsible self centered people feel they have the "right" to subject strangers to a major distraction like a screaming child anyways - if your child is not old enough to sit there and shut up, they should not be there in the arena - with ZERO exceptions.
I would be very upset after spending a butt load of money to go to the Olympic's and I'm stuck next to a screaming baby. Even if it isn't screaming, I would be put in an uncomfortable situation. Am I clapping too loud? Am I not allowed to whistle or cheer? Screw that!!!!!! Leave the kids home!
Mike
Isn't it kind of selfish to think that your infant would be even remotely interested in the Olympics just because the parent is?
I'm the parent of a 3 month old. If I had a chance to attend such an event, I think I could come up with some reasonable alternatives to taking him. It isn't like it's a last minute chance to go to dinner and I need a baby sitter ASAP. Can you imagine the hassle of taking an infant anyway? Where are you going to change a diaper? The portable outhouse? What about when they need to sleep. Heck, taking him out to a restaurant can be a hassle depending on the mood he's in, can you imagine the chaos associated with the Olympics?
As far as breastfeeing mothers, well our son is being breastfed and there are options to deal with that too.
But hey....if you want to take your infant to the Olympics, be my guest. But you might want to set your DVR to record it because you certainly aren't going to get the full flavor of it while you're there.
I took my 6 week old to an NHL hockey game and he slept the entire time through all the yelling, cheering, etc. He also went to NBA, MLB and NFL games as a baby.
Those sporting events do not require a ticket for children under 3 - however they must be a lap child. If we wanted him to have a seat, we bought him a seat. Otherwise, he sat on our laps.
As an infant I just kept him in the Baby Bjorn.
So, you can afford very expensive tickets to the Olympics, but, you cannot afford a babysitter.
A lot of people are kind missing that many of these parents bought these tickets before the child even existed. Granted it's foolish for them to assume that there would be a "kids are free" policy, but at the time of purchase they weren't thinking that because the kid didn't exist.
There is still plenty of time for parents of older children to find suitable sitter arrangements. However, parents whose kids arrive about game time may have a harder time finding qualified childcare.
Unless the Olympics has a refund policy, I'd be pretty pissed too if I got stuck between a rock and a hard place. A lot of people would suggest to not go, but if you spent a load of money on tickets you're going to want to use them. Being that it's January and the games start in August, there is still time for all involved to find solutions to their situation.
Nothing worse than getting a night alone with my spouse to enjoy a nice dinner out and having parents with a screaming baby at the next table, or being next to someone on a plane with an 18 month old scrambling all over their lap. I have no problem with the "each human being requires a ticket" policy. Perhaps the intent is to have people leave their babies at home (which is more than fine with me).
And btw, I raised THREE kids so I know what being a parent is all about. I see many parents today selfishly not wanting to sacrifice ANYTHING in their own lives when they have kids, so they drag them to things where it's not really appropriate (and let everyone else "enjoy" the experience). If you want to take your baby, buy a ticket for your baby.
How do you know who's baby it is? Last time I checked, all sorts of people reproduce ... including athletes! Imagine that, there are actually some athletes that may be PARTICIPATING in the event want *gasp* their spouse and child(ren) to attend live and in person!! Would anyone objecting to the athlete's child presence perhaps like to start a letter-writing campaign? Because of course YOUR enjoyment of the event is MUCH MORE IMPORTANT!!
Please. I have seen lots of sports footage of times like this, such as the QB hugging his family including infant/toddler son. Or maybe it isn't their own kid, but a sibling (as it is possible for some families to have a range in age of kids), a cousin, a friend's kid - who cares? If I was participating in an Olympic event (whether I end up in first place, or last place), I would certainly want my family/friends there - both young and old. And it's not like I could seal them up in a box seat!
And honestly. If there are Olympic events that require zero noise and complete silence (such as high diving maybe??) then ANYONE who is unable to comply should of course be banned. But to say that a crying child would interfere with an athlete's concentration in any other venue makes zero sense to me, as just from watching televised events the noise from the stadiums that hold that amount of people would in no way, shape, or form allow a crying infant or toddler to be heard. Please. That is just being silly and age-ist.
And for the idiots who are criticizing people for having kids in the first place, who cares? We know who's genes will end up being passed on, so hopefully that is a element of the human race that will die out in the next couple of generations. ;) Of course I understand the discontent when parents are obnoxious and bring kids to places that they should not perhaps attend, and of course I do think having a child means making a few personal sacrifices - so either wait until you have a sitter or wait until the kids are old enough to behave. But to imply that anyone who has kids should isolate themselves from PUBLIC venues is just as obnoxious and breeds just as much discontent!
Also - all that could be solved by rather than banning kids/babies per se, just have a noise regulation that covers all ages/stages. So old, obnoxious, loud, annoying adults who scream into their cellphones could be banned same as loud, annoying, screaming babies with obnoxious parents who don't try to settle or remove them (if possible, obviously in some cases easier said than done) until they settle down.
"But to say that a crying child would interfere with an athlete's concentration in any other venue makes zero sense to me, as just from watching televised events the noise from the stadiums that hold that amount of people would in no way, shape, or form allow a crying infant or toddler to be heard"
You clearly are somebody who has never competed in any athletic event... nor do you understand how most Olympics venues work. The audience for team sports tends to get a bit loud but for most events dead silence is expected while the competitors are taking their turn. In figure skating they will cheer periodically after a very tough jump - but for most events the protocol is dead silence while they are competing, and then near silence until their score is announced. Then a few minutes of murmuring and light cheering after a good score is posted will happen - but then when they announce the next competitor the crowd shuts up.
Since you cannot guarantee dead silence out of a child, they have ZERO place there, regardless of your opinions on the matter. You just bought a ticket - the athlete's entire career depends on each performance. You do not have the right to blow their career.
As to your comment about the athlete's children - hello locker room/viewing room? They watch through a window and only come out AFTER people are done competing for that heat/round/etc.
Infants have ZERO place ever in the arenas of Olympic events - without exception - unless they are in a soundproofed room. The fact that you don't get how hard the athletes practice their events proves that you don't ever belong at the Olympics yourself - you certainly don't seem to be able to show any respect for their hard work, and understand that they do indeed deserve dead silence during their event.
its funny.. EVERY human being ever born was once a baby, but to some in our society, its somehow unacceptable/in poor taste/reprehensible to ACTUALLY have one nearby.
think long and hard about your humanity if having baby humans around you is so upsetting.
"think long and hard about your humanity if having baby humans around you is so upsetting."
And back when we were babies our parents had enough common sense to not bring screaming infants into venues where a child could destroy an athlete's career. They realized that screaming children should not be in certain places, as that would be INCREDIBLY RUDE and people would never consider imposing on complete strangers.
These days unfortunately we have your type who love to ignorantly toss Molotov cocktails without once realizing how disrespectful you and your screaming baby are to the rest of us.
Your baby screaming in the grocery store can be tolerated.
However, your baby screaming in an Olympics arena just shows that you are so amazingly disrespectful that you should never go out in public EVER. I've actually seen morons so clueless as to bring an infant to a theater... what ever happened to baby sitters???
Yes you have kids, that's nice... but DO NOT IMPOSE ON US. Failure on your part to plan ahead does not mean that you can do what you want and expect us to sympathize with you. Indeed, you will get quite the opposite reaction, as you're demonstrating less maturity than your screaming infant is capable of.
Ah yes, if you bred you should stay at home like the pariah you are. How dare you continue the species if you wanted to have fun. You should have expected not to have a social life or do anything fun for the next 18 years when the test came back positive. This totally your own fault and has nothing to do whatsoever with greed. I mean it's not like children under a certain age are admitted for free or at a reduced charge at movies and other entertainment venues. How silly is that concept.
You are very tongue-in-cheeky..... but what you say is actually pretty darned true. The poop-geysers have no place at the Olympics. Either stay at home with.... or find alternative care and attend. And as far as reduced charges at movies? Ban 'em completely. Worse than cell phones (barely)......
I would not expose myself to such a germ swapping event, much less take an infant. The whole concept of world travel is going to bite us one of these days by causing a pandemic of biblical proportions. The carbon footprint of frivolous travel is staggering and is the first place that should be restricted. Television can let you see the world in ways you could never afford or think of risking your life for. Spend your money locally and help your neighbors find a job.
Let me begin by saying I have two children, so I do have a basis for my opinion.
Being a parent is about making sacrifices. Your personal life takes a back seat to your children. No matter how I would love to come home from work and kick back, watch TV, maybe take a nap, I know that my sons have homework that needs doing and there is supper to be cooked. What I want is not as important as taking care of my family and raising responsible children.
To drag your baby along everywhere you go is not fair to either the baby or other people. Your child is being exposed to tons of germs from people you don't know; other people are subjected to crying, fussing, and possible tantrums. How does this benefit anyone? How can anyone have a good time under these conditions?
And the Olympics committee is not outright banning kids. They are simply saying that each individual, no matter the age, needs a ticket. This policy is pretty standard wherever you go.
Reasons to NOT take an infant to the Olympics (as noted by many posters here)
Germ fest
crying and squirming
long days away from their bed
weather-cold,rain,heat
Grow up parents. The baby is your responsibility-not the Olympics. What if the child is hurt? Can you even imagine the outcry?!
I took my child (then 8 months) to the Kentucky Derby. He has also been to major gaming conventions. He behaves wonderfully while out, to where most people don't even notice him. Why should you not take children to sporting events? The noise? My child slept through the main event, which is when the infield was the loudest. The drunk people? Well we were in the infield, and no matter the level of drunkenness people were able to grasp the concept of there is a baby, don't step on him.
As for the previous poster whom said that infants count towards maximum occupancy laws. No sir, most places they do not count. That is why children are free under 2.
I, too, had a child I could take anywhere, anytime. Then came child #2 who could be taken out only if you could get in, get what you came for, and get out in quick order. Otherwise there was hell (for us and everyone else) to pay. As for the Olympics' decision, I think if parents acted responsibly and removed their child from a venue when they became loud or disruptive, there would be far less opposition to their attending events. But we all know that is NOT the situation. Behavior that would not be acceptable from an adult in certain venues all of a sudden is supposed to be acceptable because it is a child who is misbehaving, and they don't know any better. Well, if they can't be expected to act in the socially acceptable way in a certain situation, they do not belong in that situation. Not only is it not fair to the other attendees, it is not fair to the child! So if you have that one-in-a-million like I had the first time around, go for it and for goodness sake pay full price for their seat. It's not like it's the neighborhood movie theater, it's the Olympics for crying out loud! Do kids' tickets cost less than adults' for the Super Bowl? I don't know for certain, but I'm betting the answer is NO.
You're lucky your kids were like that. I went to the 2000 Olympics in Sydney well before I had kids. For me, now that I have kids, I wouldn't even consider it until they're at least teenagers. I can't imagine having an infant and trying to get from here to there in a matter of minutes, waiting in long lines, being on public transportation, etc. Even if the infant is free, I know I would not have been able to focus on my purpose for being there. I would have rather stayed in my room than deal with the hassle. But that's me and my experience with my kids. Other people and their kids are real troopers. If they and their babies can deal with it, then so be it. Let them go. Other people's kids/babies wouldn't have bothered me one iota there. There's way too much other stuff to draw one's attention.
I don't care whether parents take their kids to events or not, but, if they do, why on earth do they think they shouldn't have to pay for the kid's ticket? That's unbelievable. The sense of self-entitlement is appalling. You go to the event, you need a ticket, period.
Exactly. If you want to take your baby to a sporting event, be my guest, but the outrage at having to actually PAY for a seat for the kid reeks of entitlement. Imagine what these kids are going to grow up as.
That's the point...the baby isn't taking up a seat. The baby is nestled in his parent's arms for the duration of the event. No seat, no charge, same as an airline.
Most venues, yes even sports ones don't count infants. Now that is here in the US, so it is not entitlement it's cultural. What they do over in the UK I don't know. Frankly, I'd sell my tickets at a tidy profit and watch on TV.
Minuett, you're right about not being expected to pay for a child-in-arms. However, these parents should expect to have exactly that - a child-in-arms, no baby seats, no strollers, nothing that would take up any space that another person would pay full price to occupy.
If an infant has the "responsibility" to purchase a ticket for an entertainment/sports event, does s/he then have a "right" to a refund if s/he doesn't get his/her money's worth? In other words, if the infant's advocate (the parent) can prove that the infant wasn't properly entertained and uplifted by the event they should be entitled to a full refund as well as attorney (advocate) fees.
So if my wife sits on my lap, she shouldn't have to pay either by your logic. Something tells me the parents out there would be the first to whine were we to do this.
Alright, Captain Hammers, your comment made me laugh. Good point, though.
Yes Tammy, But in this generation of new parents, the children are practically hoisted on everyone. And way too coddled. "where would you like to sit?" asked in a restaurant of a 4 year old!
All I want is for parents to be reasonable-especially around other adults.
I just wonder what the jobless and homeless have to say about this horrendous miscarriage of justice. Can't take your child to the Olympics without tickets? How cruel!
Have you even been in London in July or August? Not chilly, and not the rainy season, either. I lived there for several years, and had two children while there...they went everywhere with me (by necessity) without issues. Why is this even an issue? We aren't talking about strollers, here.
Actually I have been to London many times in July and August - depending where you're coming from, 50F weather is chilly for most people. The temperature varies greatly and can turn from 50F to 80F in a matter of an hour, but there is certainly a strong possibility of chilly weather during the summer in London.
And yes, it does rain frequently.
It really doesn't matter if someone should or should not take their baby to the Olympics or any other sporting event.
The important thing here is that if the baby is not going to take up a seat, they should not need a ticket.
This is common practice on most modes of transportation and at just about every sports venue that I know of. Sounds more like the Olympics organizers just saw a reason to suck more money out of the spectators.
You have a point, they should not be getting free tickets elsewhere either.
An extra ticket? They shouldn't be allowed! Do you want your Olympic experience littered with screaming babies?
screaming babies, screaming adults, what's the diff?
Sorry love babies but certain public places are inappropriate for screaming infants..i.e. movie theaters...its very unfair to patrons who pay money to hear wailing children..why cant we enjoy the movie? You had the kid, stay home and rent something. At least until they are of age, its selfish.
It comes down to RESPONSIBILITY! A responsible parent CAN have a life, while raising a child. If the child is in your lap or arms, they are not taking a seat from the venue. If you are using a car seat or carrier, and place it in the seat next to you, yes you should have a ticket for that seat! Simple responsibility and courtesy, like in a movie, you may have to go to the annex, with a fussy baby! Do we have to legislate it? Maybe.
I totally agree!
If it ain't old enough to walk, it ain't old enough to be there.
Sports venues are not well known for being "baby" friendly. I would not bring small children to the olympics for the reasons stated in the story. No other childcare options? If you can't afford childcare, then perhaps you shouldn't be purchasing expensive tickets to sporting events.
Moms bottle your milk,and get your parents to baby sit.Keep those kids home where they belong,make off you are a real parent {do your damn job}.
The question at hand hardly addresses the issue in this article. No, I would not bring a baby to the Olympics, nor to an at-home pro-game. However, there are people who would. So, the question really should be whether I support the requirement of one ticket perperson (inlcuding baby). My answer is no. And while anyone has the right to take their screaming, (or happily cooing) baby to such an event, I have the right to make known that I won't tolerate distruption.
0oooh! Bec.... you are one brave soul to even consider telling a parent that you won't tolerate the disruptive behavior of their baby. The self righteousness of a parent with a screaming baby is not easy to tolerate either. When I have been in similar situations I have to remind myself that the child is simply trying to tell the oblivious parent that it is IN an inappropriate situation and wants to go HOME. NOW.
It seems silly to have to pay for a baby, but please don't use the "he/she isn't taking up a seat" argument. Under that logic, my wife could sit on my lap, and we should only have to buy one ticket.
I would say that if the child is old enough to walk, then he/she should have a ticket...because at that age, you know he/she isn't going to stay on your lap the entire time.
Go ahead and bring your child, but please be considerate. If he/she starts crying or fussing, take him/her somewhere else to calm down.
Having an infant myself, yes, some do behave wonderfully in public. But the Olympics events can be VERY loud - I wouldn't expose my daughter's ears to that level of noise as she's too young. When I was breastfeeding and needed to go out, I'd pump beforehand so she'd have something to drink while I was away... But really, have some consideration for the child - it's too loud for them being so young. Think of your baby before your own comfort/desires.
Babies in arms require a ticket? Walking and talking yes. But in arms a little young don't you think?
STUPID
if it was realistic that the parents were going to hold the baby the entire time (many events are several hours long) and not bring all the extras (strollers, diaper bags, extra clothes, bottles, etc.) then it would be stupid. that's not realistic though as how can you hold all that and a baby for several hours?
Yeah, I'm sure you're going to actually hold your baby for the entire event. Oh wait, you should be entitled to put your carrier or stroller anywhere you want; as long as baby isn't actually sitting in a SEAT you're entitled to things for free! Nice. I happen to have two kids and I never would have dreamed of demanding they be allowed to go places for free where others had to pay.
STUPID
I don't imagine there are any conservative parents complaining - after all - not paying for a ticket would be a handout, subsidy, bordering on socialism.
Laughing out loud! Ain't it the truth. Nice twist, Lover, nice twist....
I'm conservative. I don't think there should be exceptions to this rule. If you are going to the Olympics, I think these parents should pay for their babies IF they require a seat or take up extra space, which if you're going to be crowding someone else's space, then you definitely should get another seat for your baby's stuff.
If these parents can't deal with the rules, then they shouldn't go. Bottom line.
Babies make not take a lot of room, but all their stuff does! Diaper bag, stroller etc. Not to mention when the little one gets fussy, then everyone around has to suffer. They should ban babies or charge them full price for a ticket!
Personally I wouldn't bring a baby into an event like this... BUT, if the REAL REASON is not to exceed capacity as they claim then why don't they make a "baby in arms" ticket for $1 and that way everyone has a ticket and they can keep up with the capacity.
If they are selling these tickets for the same "small fortune" as real tickets, then they are just trying to make more money.
A baby in a sling or a carrier does not take up extra space and should not be required to have a ticket. Do I think you do your baby a favor by dragging it to an event like this? No way!
do you really believe you can bring a baby to an hours-long event without dragging the diapers and change of clothes etc. along too? It is unrealistic to say that only the baby in a sling comes along.