www.sportaccordconvention.com Issue 5 08|04|2011 THE DAILY Illegal betting, often backed by organised crime, is the most serious threat faced by sport. That was the message from Risto Nieminen, World Lottery Association (WLA) President, speaking at the SportAccord Convention yesterday. “This is much more dangerous than dop- ing for the future of sport,” he said. “It undermines the ‘fair play’ platform for all sports. Behind it you have organised crime which is really trying to get hold of sport. “This is not over-reacting.” To counter the threat, SportAccord has partnered with the WLA and the European Lotteries industry association to launch the Global Sports Betting Integrity Education Programme. The aim is raise awareness among athletes and officials about the dangers of match-fix- ing and other illegal betting scams. It would help international federations comply with recommendations adopted by the IOC in 2010, and with the Common Standards on Sports Integrity in Relation to Sports Betting released by SportAccord last year. LONDON DESTINATION POWERHOUSE LAUNCHED “The Sports Betting Integrity Education Programme is about minimising risk and reducing reputation damage,” said Hein Verbruggen, President of SportAccord. “We are confronted with a global phenomenon.” Friedrich Stickler, President of European Lotteries, added his own warning. “Sport is really in danger,” he said. “The problem is much bigger than most of us believed. The danger is global. It is not in the hands of the state any more. It must be treated as a global issue.” ■ If you had a good week at the SportAccord Convention, then thank our co-host London & Partners. The organisation has been re-branded and brought under the direct control of the office of Mayor Boris Johnson and given a remit to make London the preferred choice for business, tourism and study. “Now, the new international promotional agency is perfectly set with the direct backing of the Mayor’s office,” said Iain Edmondson, Head of Major Events (pictured with colleagues). “We will be aiming to maximise the impact of the Olympic Games in London, to build on them, and we have a remit to attract major events long into the future.” He added: “The SportAccord Convention has been well received and I have no doubt that it will lead to more business for London.” ■ SPORT FACES ‘MOST SERIOUS THREAT’ 03 > UK Sport Aims for the Stars 10 > Countdown to World Mind Games 02 > London 2012 ‘WIll be Brilliant’ Trio for justice: Hein Verbruggen, flanked by Lotteries chiefs Nieminen (right) and Stickler. 2014 Winter Olympics host Sochi announced plans for a series of cultural activities in London during next year’s Summer Games, at the SportAccord Convention yesterday. The Russian organisers aim to introduce Londoners and Games visitors to their city and the surrounding region of Krasnodar by staging sport and cultural performances at the Marble Arch landmark. To be called Sochi World, the event will centre on an ice-rink, to be used for shows and masterclasses by Russian figure-skating stars. The sporting dimension will be complemented with cultural events drawn from the many different Russian regions. There will also be a hospitality pavil- ion and interactive visitor experience.■ REVEALED - SOCHI’S PLANS FOR LONDON
Transcript
www.sportaccordconvention.com Issue 5 08|04|2011
THEDAILY
Illegal betting, often backed by organisedcrime, is the most serious threat faced bysport.
That was the message from RistoNieminen, World Lottery Association(WLA) President, speaking at theSportAccord Convention yesterday.
“This is much more dangerous than dop-ing for the future of sport,” he said. “Itundermines the ‘fair play’ platform for allsports. Behind it you have organised crimewhich is really trying to get hold of sport.
“This is not over-reacting.” To counter the threat, SportAccord has
partnered with the WLA and the EuropeanLotteries industry association to launch theGlobal Sports Betting Integrity EducationProgramme.
The aim is raise awareness among athletesand officials about the dangers of match-fix-ing and other illegal betting scams. It wouldhelp international federations comply withrecommendations adopted by the IOC in2010, and with the Common Standards onSports Integrity in Relation to SportsBetting released by SportAccord last year.
LONDON DESTINATION POWERHOUSE LAUNCHED
“The Sports Betting Integrity EducationProgramme is about minimising risk andreducing reputation damage,” said HeinVerbruggen, President of SportAccord. “Weare confronted with a global phenomenon.”
Friedrich Stickler, President of European
Lotteries, added his own warning. “Sport isreally in danger,” he said. “The problem ismuch bigger than most of us believed. Thedanger is global. It is not in the hands of thestate any more. It must be treated as a globalissue.” ■
If you had a good week at the SportAccord Convention, then thank ourco-host London & Partners.
The organisation has been re-branded and brought under the directcontrol of the office of Mayor Boris Johnson and given a remit to makeLondon the preferred choice for business, tourism and study.
“Now, the new international promotional agency is perfectly set withthe direct backing of the Mayor’s office,” said Iain Edmondson, Head ofMajor Events (pictured with colleagues).
“We will be aiming to maximise the impact of the Olympic Games inLondon, to build on them, and we have a remit to attract major eventslong into the future.”
He added: “The SportAccord Convention has been well received andI have no doubt that it will lead to more business for London.” ■
SPORT FACES ‘MOST SERIOUS THREAT’
03 >UK Sport Aims forthe Stars
10 >Countdown to WorldMind Games
02 >London 2012 ‘WIll beBrilliant’
Trio for justice: Hein Verbruggen, flanked by Lotteries chiefs Nieminen (right) and Stickler.
2014 Winter Olympics host Sochiannounced plans for a series of culturalactivities in London during next year’sSummer Games, at the SportAccordConvention yesterday. The Russianorganisers aim to introduce Londonersand Games visitors to their city and thesurrounding region of Krasnodar bystaging sport and cultural performancesat the Marble Arch landmark.
To be called Sochi World, the eventwill centre on an ice-rink, to be usedfor shows and masterclasses by Russianfigure-skating stars. The sportingdimension will be complemented withcultural events drawn from the manydifferent Russian regions.
There will also be a hospitality pavil-ion and interactive visitor experience.■
The perception of Colombia as the centre of the drug trade is merely a diminishing presence in the globalconsciousness. And sport is rejuvenating the image of theSouth American country says Pascual Guerrero, CEO ofCali World Games 2013.
“We are creating a new conscience for the youth of thecountry through sport,” he explained at the LondonSportAccord Convention.
Cali will host the 2013 International World GamesAssociation (IWGA) World Games. It will be the first timea South American country has hosted the event.
Juan Manuel Santos, President of Colombia, said theevent will be: “The most important multidisciplinary sportevent of the year in Colombia and the world.”
Ron Froelich, President of IWGA, is excited by theprospect that the IWGA World Games will be stepping intonew territory.
“I am sure Cali will stage the best World Games ever. Wehave seen how much expertise and passion the women andmen in Cali are preparing for the event,” he said.
Cali 2013’s slogan – ‘Fair play to the planet’ – is indicativeof the city’s alignment to the international sporting commu-nity’s penchant for preserving environmental sustainability.And Froelich says: “It sets an example of how to live in har-mony with the environment.”
Guerrero is confident that the city is well positionedto host such a prestigious event: “It’s a very big chal-
lenge, but one we will deliver.”Security is also of high-importance for the Colombian-run
event to be a success. The issue is one that has demonstrablyimproved according to Guerrero: “This situation haschanged thanks to the actions taken by President AlvaroUribe and our new President Juan Manuel Santos.
“We have passed from being one of the most unsafe coun-tries in Latin America to being one of the most visited. Wecan say today that Colombia is a peaceful country.” ■
Delegates at the SportAccord Convention, and anyoneelse around the world interested in sports decision-mak-ing will be able to follow events this week on Twitter.
Our Twitter feed can be accessed by going toTwitter.com/saconvention
When tweeting use the official event hash tag #SACon
FOLLOW EVENTS ONTWITTER
The International Association of AthleticsFederation’s (IAAF) partnership with IEC in Sportswill provide a dynamic approach to propel the athlet-ics industry into the television markets.
Lamine Diack, IAAF President said the partnershipwill: “Bring a breath of fresh air, expertise and passionto the vital job of selling the media rights to theIAAF’s top competitions in the key markets ofEurope and Africa.” ■
ATHLETICS TO PUSHINTO TELEVISION
IOC President Jacques Rogge willopen the World Games in Cali in2013, it was revealed at theInternational World GamesAssociation (IGWA) AnnualGeneral Meeting held during theSportAccord Convention week.
The AGM approved a number ofchanges to games. Rugby will make
its last appearance at the Games asit is moving to the Olympic Gamesfrom 2016. Beach handball willtake its place in the World Games.
In a gesture of respect to thehost culture, salsa will becomepart of the dance programme,replacing rock & roll. The dancesports competition will be held in
the city bullring. The meeting agreed five invita-
tional sports: Wushu, softball, roadskating, the duathlon and the canoemarathon.
It also agreed a number of minorchanges to its anti-doping regula-tions, in line with the WADAcode. ■
IWGA AGREES GAMES CHANGES
CALI CALLING FOR CLEAN SPORT
GOLD SPONSORS
HOST PARTNERS
The SportAccord Daily is produced on behalf of theorganisers by Trident Communications.
Editor : Mike MartinProduction Editor : Rick HadenJournalists : Alan Dron,
Brendan Gallagher, Tom Billinghurst.
Photographer : Liam RitsonPrinted by : Manson Group
If you have a story to tell at the SportAccord Conventionthen the SportAccord Daily wants to hear from you. Thenewspaper will be published every day this week and cir-culated at the event. It’s your event newspaper, so let usknow what your organisation is doing. The daily team islocated in the Media Centre on the 15th floor of thehotel. Drop in or call Mike Martin on 07585 136676.
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THE SPORTACCORDDAILY TEAM
LONDON 2012 ‘IS GOING TO BE BRILLIANT’London 2012 will be the best Olympics yet, says thecurrent World and European Heptathlon champion
Jessica Ennis. Asked how it will compare to the previ-ous Athens and Beijing Olympic Games, the BritishHeptathlete said: “It will be bigger and better – it’s justgoing to be brilliant.”
And London will not be the only beneficiary of thegames’ unique spirit, Ennis explained yesterday at theSportAccord Convention.
“There’s already a great buzz around, and it’s notjust in London - it’s around the whole country.Everyone can be a part of it.
“It creates a really nice environment, and it bringseveryone together,” she explained, highlighting thegalvanising effect the Olympics have on communitiesworld-wide.
“We’re now targeting the highest level, theEuropean and world championships,” saysSimon Morton, head of major events forhigh-performance agency UK Sport. “Wewant to attract fewer but bigger events, step-ping up from the current programme ofworld cups and series.”
The organisation is approaching the endof its 2007-12 planning cycle and looking tochange the strategic emphasis in 2013-18.
“We’re now in the busiest year of thepresent cycle, with a programme thatincludes the world championships for bad-minton, triathlon – both test events forthe 2012 Olympics – and modern pen-tathlon,” Morton says. “We expect that bythe time of the Games we will haveworked with about 40 of the 46Olympic/Paralympic sports.”
Looking beyond the Games, Mortonreveals that UK Sport is bidding to host atotal of five world or European champi-onships between 2015 and 2017, and isoffering venues in Glasgow, Strathclyde andthe south of England, including London.“We want to exploit the 2012 infrastructure
in a bid to establish the UK as the leadinghost for the biggest events,” commentsMorton.
Being able to show continuing reuse ofthe 2012 legacy in facilities and trainedmanpower is one of four measures of successthat UK Sport plans to apply to the 2013-18programme. The others relate to athlete per-formance, public engagement and economicbenefits.
“There’s a well established link betweenhosting and improved results from homeathletes,” comments Morton. “How well wehave engaged will be indicated by thingslike spectator numbers, TV audiences andthe subsequent emergence of developmentprogrammes.”
UK Sport is redoubling its efforts to pro-duce hard information on economic bene-fits. “We estimate that for every pound wehave invested over the last few years about£5 has come back to the local host economyfrom visitor, athlete and other spending,”says Morton. “In the present cycle gross ben-efit is expected to reach about £100 millionon a total investment of £21 million.” ■
UK SPORT AIMS FOR THE STARS
POPULOUS CHARTS COURSEFROM LONDON TO NANJING“SportAccord 2011 is of key importance in the run-up to the London 2012 Olympics andParalympics,” says John Barrow, senior partner at Populous, this week’s official architectur-al sponsor.
“Our architectural design, planning and event expertise has contributed to the successof many of London’s sporting assets,” he continues. “Now we’re looking forward to playingour part in a truly memorable Olympic year and a milestone Decade of Sport to follow.”
Highlights of the Populous portfolio include the London 2012 stadium, Soccer City inSouth Africa, and Wimbledon’s Centre Court. “Our latest project is the masterplan forthe Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games,” says Barrow. “We’re bringing together all ourdesign skills and experience to create a new piece of city that will draw people together fora wonderful experience.” ■
After racing triumphantly around the runningtracks of the world, SportAccord Conventionconference speaker Edwin Moses spends hisdays circling the globe nowadays as a championof using sport as a tool for promoting develop-
ment. The Olympic gold medallist is a LaureusAcademy Member.
Laureus supports a mixture of projects thatthe foundation gets off the ground and othersthat apply for funding. “We started with six
projects in four countries,” he says. “Now wehave 84 community sports projects in morethan 40 countries around the world.”
While hesitating to single out any projects aspersonal favourites, Moses pointed to the suc-cess of the MYSA (Mathare Youth SportsAssociation) in Nairobi, Kenya involving about20,000 young people. “This is a real youth lead-ership project led by young people, with thekids themselves the directors.”
Founded in 2000, Laureus is composed ofthree core elements - the Laureus World SportsAcademy, the Laureus Sport for GoodFoundation and the Laureus World SportsAwards - which collectively celebrate sportingexcellence and use sport as the means to pro-mote social change
The 48 Laureus Academy Members volun-teer their services as global ambassadors for theLaureus Sport for Good Foundation promotingthe use of sport as a tool for social change. Itaddresses social challenges. Laureus was found-ed by its Patrons Richemont and Daimler andis supported by its Global Partners Mercedes-Benz, IWC Schaffhausen and Vodafone.
Laureus has raised over €40 million for proj-
ects to improve the lives of more than 1.5young people, addressing issues in particularinvolving social exclusion, gun and gang vio-lence, discrimination, community integration,peace and reconciliation, and education.
The Lareus World Sports Awards is a globalsports awards honouring the greatest sportsmenand women across all sports each year. Thewinners are selected by the 48 members of theLaureus Academy and the annual AwardsCeremony is attended by global figures fromsport and entertainment. The profits from theevent, which is broadcast worldwide, areploughed back into the work of the LaureusSport for Good Foundation. The 2011 LaureusWorld Sports Awards was held in Abu Dhabiin February.
“This movement is not about getting abunch of big names to go somewhere and thenwalk away,” Moses said. “It’s about building sus-tainable efforts that work and supporting theresearch on why they are successful. It’s aboutdeveloping leaders who improve their thinkingto become successful and actually measuringtheir success. Research is very much a part ofwhat we are about.” ■
Following its successful staging of the Ryder Cup last year,Wales has set its sights on becoming a major events playerand is ready to invest for the privilege.
“We emerged from a tough spending review lastNovember with an annual budget of £5 million for the nextthree years,” says Arthur Emyr, former rugby internationaland head of major events for the Welsh AssemblyGovernment. “We think that this, combined with the assetswe bring to the staging of events, puts us in a very healthycompetitive position in the UK and internationally.”
Soccer, athletics and cricket are among the sports onEmyr’s target list. “We’re well placed to host events likethe Champions League Final, the world half-marathonchampionships, and more big cricket matches to capitaliseon our success with the 2009 Ashes test,” he says.
Cardiff ’s Millennium Stadium has hosted matchesbetween European national sides in the past and is seen asa perfect setting for the continent’s top club competition.“The half-marathon distance fits very nicely inside a citylike Cardiff, where the course can be designed to pass allthe landmarks in one loop,” says Emyr. “And we want tosee more big cricket matches at Cardiff ’s Sophia Gardens.The 2009 test broke with a century of tradition, but it wasa fabulous event and the doubters were won over.”
With around three million inhabitants, Wales is a smallnation. But Emyr sees that as a strength: “It means we canmobilise decisionmakers very quickly.” Other pluses include
the country’s people, infrastructure and environment. “As a people, we’re welcoming and informal, but with a
very efficient operational approach,” says Emyr. “Ourrecent events have worked very well, while also having adistinct Welsh character. Visitors who experienced themwill attest to that.” Crown jewel of the sporting infrastruc-ture is the city-centre Millennium Stadium, the secondlargest arena in the world to have a fully retractable roof.Among Welsh natural assets are three national parks.
Wales will play host to a number of national teams inthe run-up London 2012. There will be pre-Games train-ing camps for the Paralympic teams of Australia, NewZealand and South Africa, the Olympic team of Trinidadand Tobago, and Cycling GB. ■
WALES AIMS TO CAPITALISE ONRYDER SUCCESS PARTNERSHIP
ANNOUNCEDWorld Academy of Sport (WAoS) announced the appoint-ment of G4S as its ‘Security, Safety and CrowdManagement’ partner at the London SportAccordConvention.
The deal provides a platform for the development of var-ious initiatives aligned to the needs of the internationalsport sector.
Ian Horseman Sewell, Director of Major Events for G4S,said: “This WAoS partnership is another exciting step forG4S as we further consolidate our involvement with theinternational sport community.”
The WAoS and G4S partnership is a result of the ‘GlobalIndustry Partner Programme’. The programme is designed toallow the partners to achieve commercial objectives whilenourishing the Academy growth and developmental servic-es aimed at the global sporting industry.
WAoS is currently looking for potential global partnersto enhance their education programme in areas from tech-nology support to athlete welfare.
WAoS is World Sport's Education Partner. They aim todeliver educational programmes while creating sustainablelong-term partnerships beneficial to sport organisationsworldwide. ■
“Peace and sport can work together tochange lives for the better,” says Kenyanathletics legend and prominent Peace andSport ‘Champion for Peace’ WilsonKipketer.
Since 2007 Peace and Sport, an apoliti-cal organisation, has been working tobuild sustainable peace in communitiesrendered socially vulnerable by povertyand recent conflict.
Aware of the crucial role sport can playin building peace, Peace and Sportencourages political entities to use sport-ing infrastructure as a vehicle to emanci-pate and empower their citizens.
“Sport has a unique capacity to unitepeople, going beyond ethnical, religious orsocial differences,” says H.S.H PrinceAlbert II of Monaco, High Patron ofPeace and Sport.
“I am convinced that sport can be atthe long-term service of peace.”
Through Peace and Sport’s various ini-tiatives, including the InternationalForum, awards and locally-based projectsfrom Israel-Palestine to Haiti, the Peaceand Sport project is an evolving success.
Last night at the SportAccordConvention Peace and Sport announcedthat seven new International Federationshad joined the movement: InternationalCycling Union (UCI), InternationalMountaineering and Climbing Federation(UIAA), International Triathlon Union(ITU), Féderation International Amateurde Sambo (FIAS), InternationalSepaktakraw Federation (ISTAF),Féderation Internationale deGymnastique (FIG) and InternationalArchery Federation (FITA). ■
PEACE & SPORT TOGETHER
GROWING ENTHUSIASM FOR NETBALL
The global profile of netball is growing. And so is the enthusiasm for the sport,according to Urvasi Naidoo, CEO of the International Federation of NetballAssociations (IFNA).
IFNA continues to build the profile of the sport. Recent significant developmentsinclude the adoption of Mission Foods as the lead sponsor for this year’s WorldChampionships.
The lucrative deal, worth $450,000, is the largest for a female-only sports event inSingapore. It also recognises the growing strength of netball in the Asia Pacific region.
“We are really excited about the upcoming World Championships, and the sponsor-ship agreement allows us to produce a fantastic event,” explained Naidoo at theSportAccord Convention.
“But also we will see a ‘trickle-down effect’ of the funding to the grass-roots level ofthe sport which will encourage the development of our great sport.”
On July 3-10 the Singapore Indoor Stadium will host the Netball WorldChampionships for the second time since its inauguration in 1963.
The top sixteen netball nations in the world will come together in Singapore to com-pete for the gold medal, currently held by Australia, victorious at the 2007Championships in New Zealand. ■
The body that represents sports aiming forentry to the Olympics is to approach nationalOlympic committees (NOCs) that currentlyrefuse their membership – with encourage-ment from International Olympic Committee(IOC) President Jacques Rogge.
The Association of IOC-RecognisedInternational Sports Federations (ARISF) rep-resents 32 sports that have been recognised by
the Olympic movement but which are notpart of the Olympic programme.
The 32 international federations that repre-sent these sports each have national federa-tions and in many countries these nationalfederations can become members of theirrespective NOCs.
However, a small number – includingBritain – do not permit such membership.
“We feel that’s unfair and not a good strate-gy because [a national Olympic committee]isolates itself from new sports that are devel-oping,” said ARISF President Dr Jan Fransooduring a break in the organisation’s annualmeeting yesterday.
Of the 50 top NOCs, as defined by themedal-winners’ table at the Beijing games,most allowed IOC-recognised sports to join.
The number that refuse was small and declin-ing, said Fransoo. However, Britain was goingin the opposite direction, as around 10 yearsago it scrapped associate membership thatfacilitated the emergence of new sports on theNOC. ARISF now planned to approach coun-tries such as Britain, armed with a letter fromIOC President Jacques Rogge encouragingNOCs to actively embrace ARISF members. ■
RECOGNISED FEDERATIONS LOOK FOR WORLDWIDE ACCEPTANCE
NEW SERVICE ON STREAMEurovision’s new pay-to-view streaming serv-ice provides a platformfor sports federations,rights owners and eventorganisers to deliverlive online coverage ofpremium sports eventsto broadcasters acrossthe globe.
“Eurovision is wheresports and broadcastingmeet,” Sara Alonso,Eurovision Sports Services Manager,said at the SportAccord Convention.
The Eurovision network carries over20,000 hours of multilateral sports pro-gramming every year. Its extensive cov-
erage of sporting events from the FIFAWorld Cup to the Tour de France ren-ders it a medium in-touch with themodern world’s appetite for sportsentertainment. ■
I had the peculiar distinction of havinginvented a hitherto unknown form of thegame of cricket. You will have heard ofTwenty20 cricket: this was Fifty20.
Three hours of cricket in 50 degreescentigrade, followed by 20 pints of coldbeer.
The Old Emersonians Cricket Club(named after Emerson, head barman ofour local alehouse in Dubai) broughttogether a score of veteran cricket enthu-siasts from a dozen countries. We playedon any patch of ground whose ownerswould have us (not that many, in truth).
No doubt the International CricketCouncil, headquartered in Dubai, wouldhave frowned upon the irregular nature ofthe Fifty20 game. The British MedicalAssociation would have disapproved onhealth and safety grounds.
It was a game unlikely to be found inthe pages of cricketing “Bible” Wisden,but possibly in the annals of the Journalof Mental Illness Manifest.
It is safe to say that this was one gameinvented by the English that will not beembraced by others around the world, oreven around the corner.
Unlike most of the great sports like
cricket, rugby and, above all, soccer thatare such a passion around the world andwhich bear the legend “Made inEngland.”
It remains a mystery why the denizensof our island should have been responsiblefor inventing the classic games thatinform the lives of so many. Alas, the ori-gins are lost in the mists of time.
In the case of cricket, the odd ancientlinguistic reference has led some to claimthat the game was a French invention.
The evidence is against it. It is not agame played today in France and a 40-minute lunch break would never beacceptable in the land of gastronomie.
Lord Mancroft said: “Cricket is a gamewhich the English, not being a spiritualpeople, have invented in order to givethemselves some conception of eternity.”
Proof positive, perhaps. The modern Olympic Games is a far
cry from the original. But the modernsports fan would probably not be thatinterested in a lot of oiled and nakedGreek athletes doing a spot of running,wrestling and discus throwing (and not a
woman allowed in the stadium). So it is with the great sports invented
in England. We have a habit of inventingthem and then allowing others to turnthem into something grand. If the inven-tion of the wheel had occurred inEngland, there is a chance that it wouldhave been triangular and required othersto perfect it.
Only recently the Twenty20 form ofthe game emerged from this land, only tobe whisked off to India, where it has beentaken to a stratospheric form. And the
medieval lads who long ago kicked astuffed sheep’s bladder around in the orig-inal form of soccer would have gazed inwonder at the majestic form of today’sgame as found in Latin America.
We are an island nation, with a some-times insular disposition, given to creat-ing sporting diversions for ourselves. Weare then disposed to let others around theworld realise the potential of our inven-tions.
Gosh, I think we may have inventedglobalisation as well. ■
LONDON CALLING...10.8M YOUNGARE INSPIREDThe London Organising Committee of the OlympicGames and Paralympic Games has announced in theweek of SportAccord Convention that InternationalInspiration, its international legacy programme, hasreached 10.8 million children and young peoplearound the world.
Lord Coe, Chair of LOCOG, said: “I am thrilledto announce that the International Inspiration pro-gramme has reached over 10 million children andyoung people. This is a fantastic achievement andmeans that more than 15 months out from theLondon 2012 Games we are well on our way toachieving our vision to reach 12 million childrenand young people in 20 countries.
”I have been lucky enough to meet some of theyoung people being reached through InternationalInspiration and to have seen how the programme isproviding them with more opportunities in life.Sport can be a real change for good and I'm veryproud that London 2012 is enabling this to happento millions of young people around the world.”
International Inspiration is bringing to life thepromise made by the London 2012 bid team, whichpledged to reach young people all around the worldand connect them to the inspirational power of theGames so they are moved to choose sport.
The programme works with local communities,teachers, coaches and governments to improve chil-dren’s lives and give them the chance to take part insport and play. Through sport, young people learnhow to become leaders, be positive role models andinspire their peers. ■
PLAY UP! AND PLAY THE GAME (BUT INVENT IT FIRST)
As the countdown to the 2012 London Olympics nears the one-year mark, the emphasis is now stronglyon operational planning, says the London Organising Committee (LOCOG).
It is focused on the massive operational challenge of finalising and putting in place the many pieces ofplanning involved in venue operations and all the other core programmes for the delivery of the Olympicand Paralympic Games.
Operational planning has moved to the next stage following confirmation of the venue masterplan,accommodation allocation plan and especially the sports competition schedule by the IOC Executive Boardearlier this year.
Several key programmes have been launched, including ticket sales. The ticketing programme representsthe single biggest slice of revenue still available to LOCOG.
The Olympic Park, the centrepiece for the Games, is now more than 80 per cent complete. TheVelodrome is finished, along with the showpiece Olympic Stadium, while construction of the remaining per-manent new venues, including the Aquatics Centre, will be completed over the spring and summer. TheOlympic Village, the single biggest construction project, is due for completion early next year.
The Olympic Games in numbers:26 sports, 39 disciplines34 venues 8.8 million tickets10,500 athletes 302 medal events21,000 media and broadcasters3,000 technical officials205 National Olympic Committees7,500 team officials.
Paralympic Games in numbers:20 sports, 21 disciplines17 venues plus road courses 2 million tickets 4,200 athletes 500 medal events 6,500 media and broadcasters
1,200 technical officials170 National Paralympic Committees2,300 team officials
The Olympic Park:•The Olympic Park is the size of 357 foot-ball pitches• 80,000 – seat capacity at the OlympicStadium (reducing to 25,000 post-Games)• 200-plus – km of electrical cablesinstalled in two 6km tunnels built underthe Park• 300,000 plants being added to theOlympic Park’s wetlands areas• 8.35km – total length of waterwayswithin or close to the Olympic Park, muchof which is being restored
• 90% – proportion of materialreclaimed from demolition within theOlympic Park that can be reused orrecycled• 338km – length of the power cable con-tained within the Olympic Stadium• 11 – number of residential blocks withinthe Olympic Village, containing 17,000beds• 10,000m2 – the size of the new lake atBroxbourne White Water Canoe Centre• 1.3 million – tonnes of soil washed to getrid of contamination• 10,000 – number of temporary toilets• 200,000 – number of temporary seats• 220,000 – m2 of temporary tents• 400 – number of temporary generatorsrequired ■
From the copper roofs of the historic Chateau Frontenacto its many parks and reputation as the most sustainablecity in Canada, Québec City looks green and lives green.It’s also the venue for the SportAccord Convention nextyear, when delegates will have a chance to visit and workin a conference centre that prides itself on its record ofgreen initiatives.
“The Québec City Convention Centre has been com-mitted to sustainable development and responsible envi-ronmental conduct since its opening in 1996,” says chiefexecutive Michel Bouchard. “Over the years we haveimplemented energy-efficiency measures, a residual wastemanagement system, sound water utilisation and variousenvironmental protection processes.”
Bouchard and his team enjoy the support of a green-thinking local government. “We’re government-fundedand are lucky to have a progressive and forward-thinkingstate backing us in our green initiatives,” he says. “Forexample, our recycling and waste-disposal efforts wouldbe wasted if the city didn’t offer proper facilities.”
The convention centre’s green infrastructure ismatched by an eco-friendly attitude to the events that ithosts. “To start with, we guarantee our customers a levelof sustainability that is rare in our industry,” Bouchardexplains. “Then, if they want to go further, they can takepart in our eco-friendly event programme, which
SPORTACCORD CONVENTIONGOES FROM GREEN TO GREENER
includes assistance in the form of advice from a qualifiedadviser. We plan soon to raise awareness among visitorsby broadcasting live during their events the results ofparticipating clients’ efforts.”
The centre features a host of measures designed toreduce energy consumption, eliminate the use of envi-ronment-damaging materials and maximise the well-being of users. Energy management is computerised,allowing central control of lighting, air-conditioning,heating, ventilation and air quality in each room.Polluting fuels are avoided as far as possible, lighting isenergy-efficient and lighting fixtures mercury-free. Waterconsumption is electronically optimised, and the air inmeeting rooms exchanged between six and ten times anhour.
Recycling is second nature, with standard proceduresbuilt into the way the centre operates. There is a collec-tion system for waste and residual materials, includingorganics, and all-purpose fixed and mobile recycling“islands” can be found throughout the facility.
Green matters were close to the top of the agendawhen Bouchard sat down to talk terms for next year’sSportAccord Convention. “There were high expectationsin relation to sustainability,” says Bouchard. “I thinkQuébec City Convention Centre was able to live up tothem.” ■
Before our trip to see the famous templesof Angkor in northwest Cambodia, wehad visited with Wat Chun Ranhad, theSecretary General of the CambodianNOC, based in the capital of PhnomPenh. He advised us to look closely at thebas-relief sculptures found on the walls ofthe Angkor Wat temple. Here you can seecombat scenes that are living proof whythe Khmer (which means Cambodian)claim to be the forefathers of the popularfighting style associated with SoutheastAsia. It is here where you find out whatsport means to Cambodia, and why it isstill so controversial.
“Everyone in Cambodia identifies withthe traditional style of Khmer boxing,” hesays. “It represents the soul of the oldKhmer empire and is the sport of ourancestors. This is something that has deepsignificance to the Cambodian people andmakes us proud of our history and ourposition in this region. This is especiallyimportant in light of the hardships ourcountry has endured in recent history.”
Fighting has been a part of SoutheastAsia since ancient times, and the evi-dence from the temple walls shows thatKhmer style fighting existed as far back asthe 9th century. At that time, the king-dom of Angkor dominated and controlledmost of Southeast Asia (Cambodians
claim this is due to their superior fightingstyle), and the Khmer influenced much ofThai and Lao culture. This leadsCambodians to believe all SoutheastAsian forms of kickboxing started withthe early Khmer people, pre-dating MuayThai, or Thai Boxing, which is Thailand’swildly popular version of fighting.
During the brutal reign of the KhmerRouge in the late 1970s, traditionalKhmer boxing was banned and began toslide into oblivion. Many boxers wereexecuted or forced into the work camps.But the martial arts scene in Cambodiahas experienced a comeback and isreturning to its former status.
In 1995, Cambodia proposed to offi-cially rename Muay Thai to somethingcloser representing “Southeast AsianBoxing”. But Thailand would not com-promise, claiming that their sport isuniquely Thai and only Thailand wasresponsible for making its kickboxing aninternational sport. At the 2005Southeast Asian Games, Cambodia didnot enter the Muay Thai event in protestof the name used to refer to the sport.This debate continues to rage on, and theCambodians stand firm and proud oftheir sporting past. For the Cambodianpeople, the answers lie in the walls ofAngkor’s ancient temples. ■
WHY SPORT MATTERS ONTHE WALLS OF ANGKOR WATJohn Siner is the owner of “Why Sport Matters”, a media company which focuses on the unique impact sporthas on society and culture around the world. Along with video testimonials during the sessions and onSportAccord TV, each day here in the Daily newspaper John also gives us a personal account from some ofhis global travels. More information is found on his website www.whysportmatters.com.
John Siner at work convincing all that Sport Matters.
In almost exactly 8 months, the inauguralSportAccord World Mind Games willtake off in Beijing. 8 December 2011 willsee the colourful Opening Ceremony.
Five mind sports will be on the pro-gramme: Chess, Bridge, Draughts, Go andChinese Chess. “We want to offer theseinternational federations a platform topromote their sports,“ says HeinVerbruggen, President of SportAccord.“The sports will be presented in a veryattractive way. In Chess, for example, wewill have blitz, rapid and blind competi-tions. And each of the sports will have apair or a team element.”
José Damiani, President of theInternational Mind Sports Association,said: “The elite of these five mind sportswill come to Beijing. In Bridge and Chesswe expect the reigning Chinese WomenWorld Champions to be present.” He added
that they are giving their full support to theSportAccord World Mind Games.
Two weeks ago, the first TechnicalMeeting took place. SportAccord andrepresentatives of the five participatingsports met with the Chinese organisers tobring further progress to the event prepa-rations. The TD was appointed and thenumbers of the participating athletes aswell as the venue was fixed. Around 160athletes, men and women, will competefor the medals. The Beijing InternationalConference Centre was selected as com-petition venue. “This venue is perfect forstaging such an event. It is right next tothe athletes’ hotel,” says Verbruggen.“And in the next weeks, we expect fur-ther important steps to be made. Forexample, the LOC will reveal the logo ofthe Games within the next weeks and themascot is currently being developed.” ■
The International Federation of SportClimbing (IFSC) is reaching for new heightsafter signing its first global partnership agree-ment with artificial climbing wall manufactur-er Top 30 ES.
The move is part of the IFSC’s plan toincrease its presence and visibility in thesporting world.
“Competition Climbing is continuing tosee growth on most continents, and we are
BIG COUNTDOWN TO THE SPORTACCORDWORLD MIND GAMES
CLIMBING NEW HEIGHTSmaking great progress with the developmentof our organisational structure and planning.Reaching this agreement with Top 30 is a tes-tament to that progress,” said IFSC PresidentMarco Scolaris.
“Top 30 has long been a great supporter ofSport Climbing,” he added. “We are confi-dent that with Top 30 we will continue to seemore development of our sport around theglobe.” The company recently co-ordinatedthe IFSC World Cup in Amman, Jordan.
Top 30 CEO Alberto Marcos warmly wel-
comed the agreement with the sport’s govern-ing body. “Top 30 has long been involved as asupplier but in recent years we have realisedthat this sport has huge potential. We want tobe involved, and we are delighted to be sup-porting the IFSC in its next phase of growth,”he said.
“We will work hard with the IFSC and thesport’s national federations, technical officialsand athletes to make sure we continue tomake the sport attractive to its participantsand spectators.” ■
EUROSPORT REVEALS NEW BRAND IDENTITYThe Eurosport Group unveiled a new brandidentity at the SportAccord Convention, whichevokes the sensation of live sporting action.
After an 18-month branding review theEuropean multimedia company has launchednew on-air graphics, new musical identity and a“soft” evolution of its logo.
Laurent-Eric Le Lay, CEO Eurosport andGroup Chairman, said: “We believed the timewas right to modernise and energise our brand
to reflect our posi-tion as the leadingprovider of livesports in Europe.
“Live sports gener-ate powerful emo-tions for sports and sports fans, and we wantedto create an environment centred around theseemotions, putting the fan at the heart of theaction.” ■
Representatives ofJapanese sport yesterdaythanked delegates to theSportAccord Conventionfor their contributions tofunds helping theirnation recover fromMarch’s devastatingearthquake and tsunami.
A collecting box hasbeen in place beside theregistration desk and
SportAccord has alsocontributed as an organi-sation.
SportAccord CouncilMember Fumio Morookaand Japan OlympicCommittee Vice-President Masato Mizunovoiced their appreciationfor the sporting commu-nity’s “heartwarming sym-pathy and support
towards Japan. “The power of sport is
necessary for recovery,”said Morooka. “I experi-enced that fact at aCambodian refugeecamp in 1980. Pleasecontinue to supportJapanese sports federa-tions to save athletesand children in north-eastern Japan.” ■
■ What is your favouritesport?Volleyball.■ Why is this your favouritesport?Because I started to play vol-leyball when I was young and Istill love it. I’ve stopped play-ing since I became Mayor butall my friends are still playing,and I miss it!■ What is your earliestsporting memory?When Paul Anderson scoredthe winning goal in overtimein the ’72 ice hockey serieswhen Canada played againstRussia. It was showing when Iwas at high school, so theystopped school and brought aTV in for us all to watch thegame.■ What is your greatestsporting moment?
I remember when in theprovince of Quebec we hadtwo hockey teams – Montrealand Quebec – and there was abig rivalry. I remember a play-off when we beat Montreal,and that was just so sweet.■ Who is your sporting hero?That’s a tough question.Maurice Richard – he was thebest hockey player ever, butalso a role model for sports.■ Why does sport matter?Well, it’s important for somany people. It’s a really special way of bringinghumanity together.■ What is your greatesthope for sport in the future?Clean sports. Because how canwe set an example to theyouth of today unless it isclean? If it is not clean it isvery dangerous. ■
It’s destination London for sports fans nextyear as preparations for the OlympicGames enter their final stages. But fanswith an appreciation of the history of theModern Games may make a pilgrimage toWenlock.
The small market town of MuchWenlock in Shropshire, England, occupiesa special place in the Olympics story and itis hoping that it will reap spin-off benefitsfrom London 2012.
Thanks to local doctor and philanthro-pist William Penny Brookes, the WenlockOlympian Games were founded in 1850 forthe “moral, physical and intellectualimprovement” of local people.
Brookes’ initiative attracted the interestof Baron Pierre de Coubertin, who visitedthe town, where a special meeting of theWenlock Olympian Games was arranged inhis honour.
Well, the rest is (Modern Games) histo-ry, as they say, but the Wenlock OlympianGames continues to this day.
The role played by Wenlock was recog-nised in the symbolic planting of oak treesbetween the town and the Stratford site ofLondon 2012.
And local people are hoping that theattention that the Olympic Games will
attracted will spin off to Wenlock, accord-ing to Jim Johnston of Advantage WestMidlands, a government agency chargedwith attracting inward investment.
“It will focus on the expertise of WestMidland companies, some of whom havebeen involved in London 2012,” he said.“And I think it will attract a lot of peoplewho are interested in the history of theOlympic movement.”
If you want to know “Why SportMatters,” look no further than MuchWenlock. ■
OLYMPIA,LONDON 2012…AND WENLOCK?
7 QUESTIONS OF SPORT WITH RÉGISLABEAUME, MAYOR OF QUEBEC
Sport and entertainment are rapidly con-verging. And while major sports currentlyhave the advantage in making use of broad-casting, it can provide great opportunitiesfor smaller sports to grow their audiences.
That was one of the messages from theSportAccord Convention conference ses-sion on ‘Why sport matters to the enter-tainment industry’ yesterday.
Smaller sports might have to producenew formats and be more innovative tobreak into the market, but if they could doso, it was potentially the way to attractmuch larger numbers, said Mark Read,CEO of WPP Digital.
Boel Ferguson, Vice-President andGeneral Manager of the Disney Channelin the UK and Ireland, said: “Sport mattersto us because it matters to our audience.It’s as basic as that.” Disney had recentlylaunched its “boy-focused, girl inclusive”XD channel. Boys had told Disney therewas no channel catering for them and“they’ve also told us how important sportsare to them”. Sport helped build young-sters’ self-esteem and shape their identities.
Speakers made the point several timesthat ‘Sport IS entertainment’. Frank
Supovitz, Senior Vice-president of the USNational Football League, revealed thestartling statistic that nine of the 10 most-watched programmes in US TV historyhad been the annual Superbowl match.
He added that there was a new trend instadia where fans were bringing their iPadsto watch instant television replays of whatthey had just seen on the pitch:“Ultimately, people will be able to getreplays or different camera angles ondemand.”
Peter Kenyon, Managing Partner, CAASports and former Chief Executive at twoof the UK’s biggest soccer teams,Manchester United and Chelsea, notedthat sport had a “unique ability to createloyalty in its fan base” and that ultimately“that loyalty translates into [fans] spendingmore money with you”.
The final word went to Supovitz, whoargued that modern audiences’ love of real-ity television was reflected in sportingbroadcasts, whether those were shown ontelevision or other platforms. “Sport is theultimate reality show. Its end is unknown,it’s unscripted and people come back dayafter day to see what the cast are doing.” ■
Recession may be bad for the economybut it’s still not hurting the top end ofBritish professional soccer, theSportAccord Convention conferenceheard yesterday.
Talking about how sport has respondedto the continuing global crisis, London-based financier and football deal-makerKeith Harris said: “Economic downturncreates unemployment, and for many peo-ple unemployment means having theleisure to watch football. So Premiershipattendances are as high as ever, and so aresubscriptions to Sky Sports satellite TV.”
Joining Harris on the panel was SirDigby Jones, former government trademinister and director of theConfederation of British Industry. He saidthat while revenues for corporate enter-taining at top UK sport events were hold-ing up, the national associations were
ECONOMY’S MISFORTUNE ISBIG SPORT’S OPPORTUNITY
pushing players to turn out more oftenthan was good for them.
He cited the English cricket XI, whichwon the Ashes in style, only to fail badlyin the World Cup after five gruellingmonths of touring. “The downturn hasmade the national associations hungry formore revenues, so they’re sweating theplayers. It’s short-sighted – they mightmake more to begin with, but then theplayers wear out, get injured, particularlyin contact sports like rugby, and underper-form..
The players also came in for their shareof Jones’ strictures. Commenting on theinflated finances of the leading soccerclubs, he said: “The players have tounderstand that they don’t walk on water,that they are part of a business and thatthey need to pitch their wage demandsaccordingly.” ■
GREAT CHANCE TO LETSMALLER SPORT GROW
Yesterday’s SportAccord Convention conference sessions looked at the impactof the recession on our industry and our relationship with entertainment WELCOME WINTER ADDITIONS
A cluster of new events will make theirdebut at the 2014 Sochi WinterOlympics, after being approved by theInternational Olympic Committee thisweek.
Among those excited by the develop-ment is Sarah Lewis, Secretary-Generalof the International Ski Federation(FIS) and Association of InternationalOlympic Winter Sports Federation dele-gate to the SportAccord Convention.
Skiers will have women’s ski-jumpingand ski half-pipe for men and womenadded to the roster of events.
Others are the biathlon mixed relay,team figure skating and luge team relay.
Lewis described them as “the biggestaddition to the Olympic winter pro-gramme since time immemorial. Allthe FIS events are very much designedfor youth appeal, which was a key ele-ment of the decision.” ■
