By: Irvin Ji

Dancers at the Olympic games have dropped their threat to go on strike after organizers agreed to a higher share of broadcast royalties. The agreement was reached just in time to avoid disruptions to the highly anticipated opening and closing ceremonies.

The dancers on temporary contracts who make up a good part of the dance crew are essential to the grand performances planned for the Olympics’ opening and closing events, had initially threatened to strike over issues related to pay. They argued that their pay was not as good as the full-time dancers, and that it did not adequately reflect the scale of their roles and the extensive rehearsals required for the ceremonies.

The dancers on temporary contracts had even interrupted a rehearsal on the banks of the Seine river, with over 200 of them raising their fists and standing still for the entirety of the 8- minute routine.

After some negotiations, the Olympic organizers have offered to give performers with temporary contracts a higher share of broadcast royalties. This adjustment is aimed at addressing the dancers’ concerns about equitable pay and ensuring that their compensation better aligns with their contributions to the Games.

“The opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will be a unique moment of celebration and unity,” the committee said in a statement about the opening ceremony, “and we are delighted that it will be held under satisfactory conditions for all those involved.”

The settlement has been positively received by both the dancers and the public. With the pay dispute resolved, focus now shifts to final preparations for the Olympics, with the opening and closing ceremonies expected to proceed smoothly and showcase the spectacular performances that have been planned.