[Source: IOC] The International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Gangwon 2024 Organising Committee (YOGOC) and the Gangwon-do Province, with the support of the Ministry of Science and Information and Communication Technology (MSIT), announce the launch of a metaverse focused on the Winter YOG Gangwon 2024 as an extension of the Gangwon-do Province’s Metaverse.
This unique virtual world offers a variety of interactive experiences to users all over the globe, helping to make Gangwon 2024 as inclusive and accessible as possible, particularly for young fans.
From virtual tours of the venues to games and challenges where fans can compete against other users in online mini games of ski jumping, bobsleigh and curling, the Gangwon 2024 Metaverse enables fans to engage with the YOG in new and exciting ways.
Users based in the Republic of Korea will also be able to enjoy streaming of sporting events.
The metaverse also provides an opportunity to meet and interact with other fans around the world as well as inspiring visitors to try new winter sports and learn about the Olympic values.
To ensure the metaverse is as accessible as possible, it features automatic translation of six languages (Korean, English, Spanish, French, Japanese and Chinese), while users are also able to create custom avatars for their digital experience.
This includes the ability to choose from 30 different characters featuring a variety of customisation options, such as hairstyles, body shapes and clothing options.
These avatars are also able to express a range of emotions – including joy, love, sadness, surprise and anger – while users are also able to make their character perform a variety of dances: hip-hop dance and a YOG-related dance.
Once they have created their custom avatar, users are able to freely move around the 3D virtual world, where they can visit digital recreations of nine YOG venues including fantastical elements, the Youth Olympic villages, and four tourist attractions in the host region.
Gangwon 2024 will also have a “Metaverse Experience” at the Gangneung Green City Experience Centre, where visitors will be able to virtually experience some of the winter sports with simulators, graphic panels and virtual reality kit.
The Winter YOG Gangwon 2024 will take place from 19 January to 1 February 2024, with approximately 1,900 athletes from 81 National Olympic Committees expected to take part.
Fans who want to see the next generation of potential winter sports stars can now apply for their tickets for Gangwon 2024 on tickets.gangwon2024.org.
Category: Event Management
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Gangwon 2024 launches first ever metaverse experience for Youth Olympics
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Host City joins SportAccord Media Partners to ensure global audiences are primed with latest news
[Source: SportAccord and Host City] SportAccord is pleased to welcome back its longstanding media partners including AFP, FrancsJeux, GlobalData, Host City, SportBusiness and SportsPro. Armed with this dedicated team of experienced media content providers, the quintet will provide outstanding news and content coverage from the World Sport & Business Summit in Birmingham this April.
SportAccord is committed to delivering exceptional content using a variety of formats including breaking news, exclusive interviews, featured articles, video broadcasts, and news bulletins, to ensure global audiences are primed with the latest stories in sport.
Martin Gibbs, Managing Director of SportAccord said:
“Our global audience of leading sports decision makers and influencers really benefit from the unrivalled content and news analysis the World Sport & Business Summit brings.
“International news coverage in several languages enables audiences worldwide, to stay connected and gain insights from key innovators and organisations attending the Summit, with content delivered through our highly networked media partner channels.
“We’re delighted to welcome the return of our media partners who are also involved with the business of sport on many other levels too, involving stakeholders, international federations, leagues, city destinations, and industry.”
AFP – leading news gathering network across 151 countries, covering 6 languages
AFP is a leading global news agency providing fast, comprehensive, and verified coverage of the events shaping our world and the issues affecting our daily lives. Drawing from an unparalleled news gathering network across 151 countries, AFP is also a world leader in digital verification.
Pierre Galy, Head of Sports at AFP said:
“AFP and SportAccord have been partners for many years. AFP is one of IOC’s officially recognised news agencies and a member of the IOC Press Commission. Our commitment to producing quality editorial content throughout the world, about all disciplines, in six languages, in both sporting and non-sporting fields, makes us a benchmark in the world of sports coverage. It is therefore only natural that we should support the IOC, SportAccord and the international federations in their joint discussions through the SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit.
“We are also taking part in a MediaAccord discussion on the attractiveness of innovations such as robotics and artificial intelligence for measuring and increasing the audience for the Paris Olympic Games.”
FrancsJeux – first French-speaking news website dedicated to sport
FrancsJeux is the first-ever French speaking international news website dedicated to the world sports community providing sports leaders with exclusive daily updates taking place in the global industry.
Alain Mercier, Editor-in-chief of FrancsJeux had this to say:
“First presence for FrancsJeux was at SportAccord 2015 in Sochi; first participation as a media partner was Lausanne in 2016 – a commitment that has been renewed ever since. The facts speak for themselves.
“For FrancsJeux, a leading media outlet in the Olympic movement, SportAccord is not just a must-attend event and date in the diary committed months in advance. It’s much more than that. It’s a unique opportunity to meet the major players in international sport, in the best possible conditions, for discussions and interviews. Birmingham, here we come!”
GlobalData – supports industry giants in making key decisions
GlobalData is a leading provider of data, insights, and analytics for the world’s largest industries so organisations can gain access to exclusive news, and make faster, well-informed decisions on media rights, sponsorship, events, and bidding across the industry.
Sportcal.com is part of a network of 40+ proprietary B2B websites owned by GlobalData with expertise spanning more than 80 markets worldwide. The Sportcal.com channel will publish news stories from SportAccord 2024 to global audiences.
Matt Finch, Head of Sport, GlobalData commented
“We are very excited to continue our partnership with SportAccord for 2024. SportAccord is the premier global gathering for international federations and their stakeholders, all of whom play a vital role in the development and prosperity of sports. Their exclusive World Sport & Business Summit draws over 120 International Federations, who are very much the centre of attention for Sportcal’s news coverage. We eagerly anticipate reconnecting with all our partners in Birmingham in April.”
SportBusiness – global sports intelligence
SportBusiness works with sports organisations around the world to provide them with the intelligence they need to unlock value and grow their businesses. Teams, franchises, leagues and tournaments, sponsors, broadcast companies, agencies, venues, financial institutions, and universities have come to rely on SportBusiness’s information, data and analysis in their decision making.
“We are excited to be a media partner and to be covering this year’s event when the global sports community comes to Birmingham for the first time”, said Paul Rossi, CEO of SportBusiness.
“Our global news service delivers exclusive and breaking news through SportBusiness.com and social media platforms, while our media rights and sponsorship deal trackers give organisations up-to-date valuations and market insights.”
Host City – connecting the owners, hosts and organisers of major events
Host City shares expertise within the community of international sports, business and cultural events. Host City was launched as a bilingual magazine in 2003 for the 2008 Beijing Organising Committee of the Olympic Games; the publisher’s CEO Matthew Astill was awarded the Great Wall Friendship Award by the Vice Mayor of Beijing. The Host City brand now serves all stakeholders in staging international major events, through online publishing and conferences.
Ben Avison, Editorial and Conference Director at Host City said: “We’re delighted to renew our longstanding partnership with SportAccord. It is always a great gathering for sports events, and I look forward to sharing exclusive coverage with our audience of destinations, rightsholders and organisers.”
SportsPro – leading aggregator of knowledge, insights and expertise
SportsPro is a leading media and events company for the business world of sports. Generating nearly six million views annually on Sportspro.com through the latest news, in-depth features, special reports, and exclusive interviews, SportsPro bring their content to life through industry-leading global events and intimate communities. They continue to serve audiences year-round with the addition of the subscription product SportsPro+, a personalised and interactive business tool being used by hundreds of experts across the ecosystem.
Francesca Greane, Head of Marketing at SportsPro said:
“We’re delighted to return as a media partner for SportAccord 2024. As the aggregator of knowledge, insights, and expertise for sports business, SportsPro finds a lot of value in collaborating with those that look to gather sports business professionals together to advance the industry, and SportAccord is the perfect example of this. We look forward to enriching both the SportAccord and the SportsPro audiences through this combined partnership.”
Register for SportAccord
Organisations involved in the business of sport are encouraged to join leading organisations at the unmissable World Sport & Business Summit taking place from 7 – 11 April in Birmingham at the International Convention Centre, to take advantage of all the opportunities on offer. -
Ingmar De Vos sole candidate to run for ASOIF Presidency
The Belgian, Ingmar De Vos, Council member of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF), member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and President of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), will stand for election as the next ASOIF President at the 48th General Assembly on 9 April in Birmingham, United Kingdom. The third term of incumbent President Francesco Ricci Bitti will come to an end on 31 December 2024.
The President is elected by secret ballot for a term of four years in the year of the Summer Olympic Games and takes up the position on 1 January of the following year.
The nomination of Mr De Vos was the sole candidature received by the official deadline of 25 March. In line with the ASOIF Statutes, Full Members may nominate one of their executive body members for the position of ASOIF President.
Ingmar De Vos has served as FEI President since 2014 and as ASOIF Council member since 2019. An IOC Member since 2017, he is part of the IOC Coordination Commission for LA28, the Legal Affairs Commission, and the Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commission. He is also a SportAccord Executive Committee member, ASOIF representative on the WADA Executive Committee, member of the Board of Directors of the Belgium Olympic Committee, and a UN International Gender Champion.
The 48th General Assembly will be organised during the SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit, which takes place from 7 to 11 April in Birmingham, United Kingdom. It will be fully livestreamed on YouTube. Click here to learn more about the agenda. -
Wiz-Team provides smart event management system for SportAccord 2024
[Source: SportAccord] SportAccord is thrilled to announce Wiz-Team, an independent, leading provider of comprehensive Events and Games management solutions, as Official Supplier for the World Sport & Business Summit in Birmingham – the West Midlands, on 7-11 April 2024.
Next month, sport’s most influential gathering will bring together more than 1,500 delegates, including leaders and key decision makers from over 120 International Federations (IFs), the International Olympic Committee, host cities and organisations involved in the business of sport.
In the run-up and during the Summit, Wiz-Team will support SportAccord and the local organisers with important solutions and services based on its all-in-one event management platform “Event-Works”, which will ensure smooth event delivery, from the registration of participants to the management of arrivals, departures and accreditations, to accommodation and access control, to name just a few.
SportAccord 2024 – #WhereSportMeets
In addition, Wiz-Team’s Delegate Mobile App, which has been custom branded “SportAccord”, will support the key purpose of SportAccord – networking and facilitating meaningful connections between the delegates, speakers and exhibitors. Delegates will have instant access to the event’s full programme, speakers listing, information on local cultural activities, as well as all relevant social media streams and other useful information. Thanks to the App, attendees will also be able to include their preferred sessions directly into their own agendas and use their personalised QR code to access the event venue.
Martin Gibbs, Managing Director of SportAccord said: “Wiz-Team is internationally recognised for their innovative event technology, smart data management and seamless event delivery services – all crucial to help ensure an excellent delegate experience. We are absolutely delighted we can count on them as our official supplier for SportAccord 2024.”
“Wiz-Team has long-standing links with SportAccord and the International Federations it unites. Supporting the return of the Summit, long awaited by so many, is a matter close to our hearts,” said Tim Goethals, COO of Wiz-Team. “We are looking forward to meeting many old and new friends all in one place next month in Birmingham, a city we know well through our work with the Commonwealth Games, and supporting the continued success of this unique event.”
Delegates can meet Wiz-Team at their booth number 17 in the exhibition space.
About Wiz-Team
Wiz-Team delivers cutting-edge technology and support services to the world’s greatest events across sport, institutions, hospitality, and entertainment. An industry-leading independent solution provider since 2012, it designs and delivers comprehensive Events and Games management solutions and services, including internationally renowned all-in-one event management platform “Event-Works”. Designed by event managers for event managers, Event-Works provides a suite of customisable tools aimed at flexing and scaling to the changing needs of event operations and delivery. Wiz-Team’s innovative platform empowers event professionals across industries to manage various event types, sizes and demands, from major sports competitions like the Commonwealth Games and World Cups, to high service level meetings, such as Congresses, Summits, and General Assemblies. -
SportAccord 2024 – MediaAccord is ‘rare opportunity’ to meet before Paris 2024
[Source: SportAccord] Join us at MediaAccord (Day 4 – Thursday, 11 April) to hear from Olympic Broadcasting Services and Agence France-Presse – leading global news agency and long term SportAccord Media Partner – on the most technologically complex and visually stunning Olympic Games in history.
Paris 2024 – unique in so many ways
Paris 2024 will be showing the world the best France has to offer in just 140 days, transforming world-famous monuments into magnificent competition venues – from the Eiffel Tower and Trocadéro to Roland-Garros Stadium and Château de Versailles.
“It’s not only the athletes who will have to be at the top of their game in Paris: this is the ultimate test for media companies. MediaAccord is a rare opportunity for all the stakeholders in sport to come together, listen, discuss and learn about the latest trends and developments,” explained James Pearce – award-winning sports journalist & broadcaster, covering eight Olympic Games – and MediaAccord’s moderator.
Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) will be taking broadcast coverage of Paris 2024 to an entirely new level, with more coverage than ever before and innovative technologies being used – the stage is set for a spectacular Games in Paris that will redefine how viewers experience this global event.
Yiannis Exarchos, Chief Executive Officer of Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) and Executive Director of the Olympic Channel explained: “Technological enhancements like UHD HDR, immersive sound and AI integration contribute to our commitment to capture the essence and emotions of athletes. With a desire for more human interaction post-pandemic, Paris 2024 coverage will provide more content than ever before and behind-the-scenes material for a deeper connection to the Games experience.”
Paris 2024 – breaking news with tech twist
In Paris, across France and in Tahiti – where surfing will be staged – the editorial coverage will be immense, and this time with a technological twist.
“At MediaAccord, we’re looking forward to discussing the attractiveness of innovations including robotics and artificial intelligence for measuring and increasing the audience for the Paris Olympic Games editorially,” explained Pierre Galy, Head of Sports at Agence France-Presse, International Olympic Committee (IOC) officially recognised news agency and member of the IOC Press Commission.
Immersive technologies – transforming sports fan experiences & content design
MediaAccord also has two fascinating tech-focused sessions looking at how immersive technologies are converging with artificial intelligence to create brand new experiences for sports fans around the world.
Join Andy Miah – Chair in Science Comms & Future Media at University of Salford, Manchester – for his Towards a World of Immersive Experience session.
Want to know how AI and wider tech impacts how media content is designed? Meet Ellie Roach – Digital and Data Services Lead at InCrowd Sports, and Ross Tanner – Director at Magnifi, for the Data, AI, OTT: Navigating Digital Opportunities session.
“The importance of data in driving engagement and creating connections between sports organisations, brands and fans is undeniable,” said Roach. “I’m looking forward to sharing thoughts on the best data technology stacks to help deliver more cohesive, immersive and personalised digital experiences.”
“The sports media industry is evolving at a rapid pace, and keeping up is a challenge for Federations – I will be sharing my insight on how new technologies, especially in AI, are giving new opportunities for fan growth and associated revenues,” explained Tanner.
SportAccord 2024 – join world’s leading sports industry experts
Meet renowned global experts in sport, industry and academia and join over 1,500 delegates and exhibitors at SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit on 7-11 April at the award-winning International Convention Centre (ICC) in Birmingham – West Midlands.
Register now: https://register.event-works.com/sportaccord/birmingham2024/e/ce/
Partners
SportAccord2024 is supported by a number of partners and suppliers:Gold Partner: Sport Event Denmark
Silver Partners: EventScotland, Explore Edmonton, Tourism & Events Queensland
Bronze Partner: Sport Liverpool, Sports Authority Thailand
Official Suppliers: DB Schenker, Wiz-Team
Host City is a media partner of SportAccord -
Birmingham welcomes the world as SportAccord 2024 kicks off
[Source: SportAccord] The global sports movement’s most influential decision-makers have arrived in Birmingham, West Midlands, for the return of sport’s No.1 global gathering
The SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit 2024 opened in Birmingham, with more than 1,500 delegates from over 100 countries meeting in the West Midlands for the highly anticipated return of sport’s most important industry summit.
Key figures from across the international sports movement have embarked on five days of networking from 7-11 April, with high-level meetings, a bustling exhibition, and a packed conference programme under the umbrella theme of ‘The Power of Sport’.
World-class speakers will include sports leaders such as Mark Rein, Vice President and Co-Founder, Epic Games; UK Sport Chair Dame Katherine Grainger; Rob Alberino, Vice-President of Content and Production, Kansas City Chiefs; and many more.
SportAccord Managing Director Martin Gibbs praised the team effort of Birmingham City Council and the West Midlands Growth Company in embracing this powerful event and bringing it to the heart of the UK.
“We are delighted with the enthusiastic response of the global sports movement in coming back to SportAccord and the atmosphere in the city is fantastic,” Gibbs said.
“Our hosts are not only building on the legacy of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, but they are also putting Birmingham and the West Midlands firmly at the centre of the sporting world over the coming days, with an event that will bring together the sport economy’s most influential decision-makers. There is no other event where you find in one place so many International Federations, the International Olympic Committee, rights holders, cities and regions as well as sports business leaders.”
Aside from the main Plenary Conference, there will also be dedicated HealthAccord, LawAccord, CityAccord and MediaAccord conference streams, as well as various workshops and a Speakers’ Corner, with experts from across the industry offering unmissable insights.
With numerous events planned in and around the International Convention Centre over the coming days, attendees can take advantage of a compact set-up to maximise networking opportunities, reconnecting with old friends and establishing new connections.
“We have various resources available so that delegates can make the most of their time in Birmingham, including an official event app, a digital event guide and our on-site newspaper, The Daily, which will cover all of the most important developments,” Gibbs added. “We are also really grateful for the support of the dedicated team of volunteers who have been assisting attendees, to ensure their stay in Birmingham is as productive and enjoyable as possible. Their enthusiasm and friendly welcome is really making a difference.”
Host City Director Ben Avison is moderating the CityAccord roundtable at 10:30 on Tuesday 9th April: More than just sport – Creating a more engaging, inclusive event which appeals to fans, residents and athletes alike. Just how far can ‘Festivalisation’ go? -
Events sector gathers for Scotland’s National Events Conference 2024
[Source: EventScotland] Held for the first time in four years, the conference entitled ‘Resetting the Perfect Stage for Events’ covered a range of themes across the programme including Scotland’s future events ambition and global status, international perspectives, responsible events, community engagement, workforce development, Artificial Intelligence (AI), measurement and evaluation including the importance of social impact, and much more.
The day started with an insightful keynote address from the Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development, Kaukab Stewart. In her address, she recognised the important role the events sector plays in Scotland and how it delivers across a number of key Scottish Government ambitions. She highlighted the importance of continued collaboration and how the forthcoming refreshed National Events Strategy will provide focus for the whole events sector, bringing everyone together to deliver a relevant, refreshed and shared ambition.
Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland Director of Events, reflected on the industry’s journey over the last 20 years, celebrating the unparalleled global success and impact Scotland has had on the events landscape. He also discussed recent global impacts and innovation, as well as the role of the upcoming refreshed National Events Strategy in maintaining Scotland’s global events status.
Representatives from the Event Industry Advisory Group (EIAG) discussed the important role the EIAG has played in the industry’s recovery from the pandemic. Discussion centred on their role in the development of the refreshed National Events Strategy, as well as the challenges and opportunities facing the sector.
The morning session was brought to a close with two keynote addresses from Susan Sawbridge and Gordon Johnstone. Susan, Managing Partner at New Zealand based company Daylight LTD, brought an international perspective to the conference as part of her presentation. She highlighted the similarities between New Zealand and Scotland’s approach to events in delivering social impacts and lasting change for people from major events. Gordon, Communications and Events Manager at the Scottish AI Alliance, helped navigate the wide-ranging and complex debate on artificial intelligence drawing on the challenges and opportunities for the events sector.
Afternoon breakout sessions provided delegates with valuable insights on a range of topics covered by panellists drawn from across the UK. The sessions included:
• A deep dive into the upcoming revised national events strategy, Scotland the Perfect Stage
• Developing the Events Workforce
• Events & the Visitor Economy?
• Event Impacts, Measurement & Reporting?
• Events & the Journey to Net Zero?
• Community, Diversity & Events
Closing the conference, a panel session on ‘Life Changing Events’ provided the audience with both personal and professional experiences from Stuart Cassells (The Macallan Estate), Amy Akino-Wittering (Young V&A at the Victoria & Albert Museum), and Eilidh Doyle, (double Olympian and Scotland’s most decorated track and field athlete) who all reflected on how events can deliver impact and change lives.
The conference was co-hosted by celebrated British broadcaster and author, Gemma Cairney. She was joined by Briadh Parker and Jemma Totty, two representatives from Jupiter Artland’s ORBIT Youth Council, an outreach programme that provides opportunities for young people aged 16-18 to use their creativity to have an impact and make a difference. The young co-hosts showed the audience at the sold-out event the future is bright, as well as the reinforcing the importance of providing a platform for future generations.
Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland Director of Events, said: “Scotland’s National Events Conference 2024 was a fantastic day and there was a real buzz in the room as industry came together for the first time since 2019. “The discussions and presentations from a diverse range of speakers covering all aspects of the events industry ensured it provided a great springboard for the sector as it embarks on the journey towards 2035 under the revised strategy. “Thank you to all the delegates, speakers and exhibitors who made it such a fulfilling and rewarding day.”
Culture Minister Kaukab Stewart said: “We know that great events help make great memories. The National Events Conference provides us with a space to hear about some of the incredible work being undertaken by organisations of all sizes from across the event sector in Scotland. It helps us all understand just how interconnected all the parts are and how vital it is that we all continue to work together in order to continue to make Scotland the Perfect Stage.”
Delivered by VisitScotland’s Events Directorate, the National Events Conference is the flagship industry conference for the events sector in Scotland. It is produced for all those working to create, deliver, and support Scotland’s cultural, sporting and business events. -
Birmingham’s SportAccord 2024 hailed as “best ever”
[Source: SportAccord] The SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit 2024 wrapped up yesterday after an inspirational week that will shape the future of sport and leave a transformative legacy in Birmingham and the West Midlands.
More than 1,700 attendees from 65 different countries travelled to the UK from across the globe for a packed agenda of high-level meetings, conferences, exhibitions, networking, and social events at the International Convention Centre.
Against the backdrop of what many described as the busiest SportAccord exhibition ever, high-calibre participants in the conference programme included Olympic champions and leading industry figures such as Epic Games Vice President and Co-Founder Mark Rein; UK Sport Chair Dame Katherine Grainger; Olympic Broadcasting Services CEO Yannis Exarchos; Rob Alberino, Vice-President of Content and Production, Kansas City Chiefs; Wayne Barnes, Former Rugby World Cup referee and many more. Topics of discussion and debate ranged from sustainability, innovative technology, fan engagement and new event models to governance, esports and athlete wellbeing.
Important items during the official meetings included the election of the next Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) President Ingmar De Vos, and presentations from the Organising Committees for Paris 2024 and Milano Cortina 2026.
“On behalf of SportAccord, I would like to express our sincere thanks to our hosts for delivering a superb event bringing the international sports family back together in the heart of their vibrant and diverse city,” SportAccord President Prof Dr U?ur Erdener said.
“An engaging agenda of networking events, supported by the passion of the local volunteers in a state-of-the-art venue in a region steeped in sporting heritage, provided a perfect platform for forging connections, strengthening relationships and exploring new ideas.
“Birmingham and the West Midlands have given sport an ideal platform for gathering International Federations, the International Olympic Committee, rights holders, businesses, cities, and regions – the whole sporting family.”
SportAccord has been supported by the Commonwealth Games Legacy Enhancement Fund (CWGLEF), administered by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA). In addition to the WMCA, SportAccord’s regional delivery partners include Birmingham City Council and the West Midlands Growth Company.
Neil Rami, Chief Executive of the West Midlands Growth Company, said: “SportAccord has been a triumph for the West Midlands – this is about return on influence for us, as well as return on investment. This was the natural next step from the success of the Commonwealth Games, as we brought world leaders of sport together in Birmingham at SportAccord to enhance our reputation across the global sports industry and forge crucial relationships with sporting federations.
“Significant announcements made at SportAccord included the release of the government’s official report of £1.2 billion economic impact of the Commonwealth Games, to Tom Wagner’s investment in Birmingham City Football Club and the purchase of Bordesley Park, as well as the creation of the Sports Quarter which is expected to generate 3,000 local jobs.
“There’s been no better endorsement than when SportAccord President Prof Dr U?ur Erdener has congratulated us and hailed Birmingham as the best SportAccord ever.” -
“Festivalisation” divides opinions at SportAccord
In this age of constant access to entertainment, sports events are under pressure to become ever more entertaining and offer more activities within the schedule. But is this phenomenon of festivalisation – part of the DNA of mega events – a good thing for smaller events?
“It’s definitely a good thing for promoting and reaching out to new target groups and bringing communities together and entertaining them,” says Georg Spazier, who brought several events to the Region of Tirol following heading up marketing and communications at the 2012 Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee Company. He is now running his own agency, ITS GR8, with which he organises Europe’s biggest mountain bike festival.
“But for organising committees it’s additional work, additional budget, additional staff and coordination and so on. You probably need an extra team running it. If it’s the one organising committee, doing everything can be overwhelming in many ways.
“There is a threat that sport moves out of the spotlight. We have to look at it more from a holistic entertainment perspective.”
The 2023 Olympic and Paralympic Games will incorporate a number of different cities beyond Brisbane, the nominal host. “I think it’s great thing because I think it just gives more cities more opportunity,” says Alana Vought, Program Manager, City of Gold Coast’s Olympic and Paralympic Games Brisbane 2032.”
Involving wider regions can help to involve more diverse communities and in events, especially those communities that lack sports infrastructure, Vought says. “The Pacific islands have no training infrastructure at all. So to be able to bring some training camps into the country, to Australia, into the Gold Coast and have them train – it’s a great opportunity for them and it’s also a fantastic opportunity for our athletes to share.”
Birmingham, in the UK’s West Midlands, hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2022. “Festivalisation was good for Birmingham because it suited what we wanted to do with the Games, and that was could we involve more communities and different types of audiences,” says Nicola Turner MBE, CEO, United By 2022, who was Director of Legacy for the Games.
Birmingham 2022 wrapped a cultural and festival event around the Games for six months. “We eventually sold more tickets for the cultural and arts festival than we did for the Commonwealth Games itself, and actually then the community decided to put on Festival 23 the next year because they liked it so much.”
Triathlon is a sport which has seen huge rise in in popularity, and the events are getting bigger and bigger. This brings challenges as well as commercial opportunities, according to Kris Gemmell, Head of Marketing and Commercial, World Triathlon.
“There was an opportunity to give sponsors more bang for their buck, and they had more time to activate, but it was taxing for them to be in one place for a greater length of time,” he said.
“The question is, how big is too big?” -
EOC plans to be “on top of” AI developments by Istanbul 2027
On the day of signing an MoU with the hosts of the Istanbul 2027 European Games, Spyros Capralos, President of the European Olympic Committees (EOC) highlighted AI as a “useful tool” for delivery of the mega event in Europe’s largest city.
He also highlighted the economic success of the previous edition of the Games, with talks with prospective hosts for 2031 set to begin soon.
“We know that artificial intelligence is an area which brings exciting opportunities and, in line with the Olympic artificial intelligence agenda, we’ll explore how it can help us to optimise plans for the 2027 European Games,” said Capralos.
“AI is something that’s new in our world and I think that there are many developments in sport, but also developments in other in other areas,” he told Host City during a press conference.
“Every Games has its challenges, and AI could be an extremely useful tool to help ensure efficient logistical planning in areas such as accommodation, transportation.”
The innovations that AI can bring to sport will be high on the agenda of the EOC General Assembly in Bucharest in June, he said.
“I think that going forward in the next three years, there are going to be lots of developments and we’ll be on top of that.”
Bids for 2031 European Olympic Games
Following the General Assembly, the EOC will enter into discussions with prospective hosts for the 2031 European Olympic Games.
“We’ve had some cities that have expressed an interest” said Caparalos, referring to parties who were “not ready” to bid for 2027 but are now looking at 2031 instead.
“I think it’s what is a very positive on this front is that, before we’re looking for a host, we have concluded and agreed with our Turkish friends more than three years before the Games.
“So I think this is very good and it shows the success of the Games”
He cited a Deloitte report evaluating the previous Games in Kraków-Ma?opolska in 2023, which demonstrated that the benefits far outweighed the costs that associated with the Games.
“In today’s world every government and every municipality is afraid of what the taxpayers will say, and from the report of Deloitte, we realised that the positive financial aspect of the Games was such that by sharing this with other cities, that will increase the interest.”
Caparalos also confirmed that Istanbul was building no new permanent venues for 2027 Games, “in line with IOC Agenda 20+5”, and focusing on upgrading existing venues.
“An event of this size relies on people having the expertise to ensure a successful event. Istanbul has proven itself in this respect throughout its hosting of several events; it has the people with the skills, the experience and the passion to host fantastic events.
“The EOC looks forward to working together to deliver a memorable Games, and a Games with innovation at the forefront.”
Capralos’ comments were made in a press conference in Rome marking the occasion of the European Olympic Committees, the Turkish Olympic Committee and the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality signing a Memorandum of Understanding for the 2027 European Games.
The Games are likely to take place in the last 10 days of June in 2027, he said, with qualifying opportunities to the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 available in a number of sports.