The South African Olympic Committee is said to be contemplating a country-wide bid for the 2024 Olympic Games, inspired by the IOC’s recent Olympic Agenda 2020 reforms.
“The country now has taken a different view of it, taking more of a country approach than a provincial,” Ivor Hoff, head of sports at Gauteng Province told HOST CITY exclusively.
“Because of the new IOC bidding and hosting criteria, the country will take this into consideration.”
Gauteng Province had been mentioned as a potential contender for an Olympic bid. Durban and Pretoria have also been mentioned as possible candidates.
But now, the South African Olympic Committee is instead said to be reviewing its bid for the 2024 Olympic Games and putting forward a proposal that links a number of host destinations.
“When Sam Ramsamy came back from [the IOC Session in] Switzerland he reported he is going to make a presentation to the South African parliament.”
As South Africa’s parliament is in recess this week, Hoff expects Ramsamy to make the presentation next week.
“Sam will make the presentation and decisions will be taken from there.”
HOST CITY contacted SASCOC but Sam Ramsamy was unavailable for comment.
Agenda 2020 opened up the Olympic bidding process to allow for bids to be spread across more than one city.
“One city was quite a problematic approach, because it could potentially bankrupt that city,” said Hoff.
“A developmental country like South Africa could look at it more comprehensively with several cities – this would be much better for a developmental country like South Africa.”
South Africa has recent experience of hosting a nationwide mega event.
Ivor Hoff was a key figure in hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup, with a particular focus on legacy benefits for health, education and housing.
“Based on a really positive 2010 FIFA World Cup, we’ve got a good understanding of how the country can benefit from hosting major events.”
South Africa has until 15 September 2015 to define its applicant for the 2024 Olympic Games.
So far, Rome and Boston have announced their intention to bid. The host city will be elected at the 130th IOC Session in Lima on 15 September 2017.
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South Africa considers nationwide 2024 Olympic bid
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Baku 2015 celebrity ambassadors announced to boost Games reach
With one hundred days to go until the Baku 2015 European Games, thirteen stars from the world of music, television and entertainment were announced as ambassadors on Tuesday afternoon.
The ambassador programme will boost engagement in the event by tapping into the celebrities’ fan base, while the massive scale of the European Games will help the stars to build their own following.
“I am delighted to celebrate 150 days to go until the Opening Ceremony of the first European Games with the support of these fantastic celebrities as official ambassadors of the Games,” said Mr Azad Rahimov, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Youth and Sports and Chief Executive Officer of Baku 2015.
“I am sure that our celebrity ambassadors will generate great excitement with the young people of Azerbaijan and encourage more people to get involved with the Games.”
The ambassadors include singers Tunzala Aghayeva, Miri Yusif, Roya, and Eurovision winners Eldar Gasimov and Nigar Jamal, comedians Bahram Baghirzade, Rafael and Joshqun, and Tahir and Jabir Imanov, and musician DJ Shock. Well-known presenters Murad Dadashov and Ilkin Hasani will also take part.
The programme will allow Baku 2015 to reach a range of audiences in Azerbaijan and Europe, using the celebrity ambassadors’ star appeal and popularity to share messages about the event.
“Whenever I am on stage I give everything to make it a great performance. In June, it will be Azerbaijan putting on an unforgettable show for the whole of Europe to enjoy,” said singer Ms Tunzala Aghayeva at the launch event at the Mugham Center in Baku.
“As a Baku 2015 Celebrity Ambassador I will be working to encourage people to get involved with Baku 2015 through initiatives such as the volunteer programme, and play a part in creating history for our country.”
Participants will help to promote the Games by visiting Baku 2015 venues, taking part in countdown events, supporting campaigns, and using their own social media channels to reach millions of followers.
“This announcement is the next step in expanding our ambassador programme and continues the great momentum we are generating as we continue our preparations to deliver a spectacular sporting event,” said Simon Clegg, Chief Operating Officer of Baku 2015.
“I would like to thank all of our Celebrity Ambassadors for their support and we look forward to working with them to help promote Baku 2015 in the coming months.”
The Baku 2015 European Games begins on 12 June.
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Glasgow 2014 tops UK ranking; unlucky FIFA 13th
The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games has topped a UK ranking of the impact of the “buzz” of sports events in 2014, the SportIndex 2015 Annnual Report.
“It’s such a fantastic thank you to everyone who put such energy and effort into the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games to know that people across the UK ranked us as their number one positive world sporting experience of 2014,” said David Grevemberg, chief executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation and former chief executive of Glasgow 2014.
While the ranking does not discriminate between British and international events, those that were hosted in Britain or featured strong performances by British sportspeople inevitably created the biggest buzz.
According to the findings of the report, the FIFA World Cup in Brazil was only the thirteenth most positive sporting event of 2014 for British consumers.
The UK, like several other countries around the world, broke record viewing figures for the opening matches of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. However, audiences in the UK quickly lost interest after England’s exit at the group stage.
The authors of the report also cite the Luis Suarez biting incident as negatively impacting British interest in the World Cup.
The report found that Wimbledon created biggest buzz for an annual event, despite a below par performance by British star Andy Murray.
The FA Cup was the most widely enjoyed football event, with its highest buzz score ever.
The Formula One British Grand Prix had the biggest growth in buzz, on the back of British star Lewis Hamilton’s winning performance.
The SportsIndex 2015 Annual Report, powered by YouGov, analyses the levels of overall recent UK public awareness and news sentiment for 50 leading domestic and international sports events. It measures “peak buzz score”, the net difference between the amount of respondents hearing positive news and those hearing negative news.
“What a great way to mark exactly six months on from an Opening Ceremony which launched a festival of sport and culture which people across the Scotland, the UK, Commonwealth and beyond could feel part of,” said Grevemberg.
“Six months on, the athletes of the Commonwealth who competed, the thousands of volunteers and staff who delivered the Games and the people of Glasgow and Scotland who were the warmest of hosts can feel hugely proud of their achievements, the pleasure they shared and the special place they’ve won in the nation’s hearts.” -
Boston 2024’s public support depends on private finance
The majority of Massachusetts residents support Boston’s bid for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, as long as the bid comes at no cost to the taxpayer.
This is the finding of an independent poll conducted by Sage Consulting on just over 1,600 people in the state of Massachusetts.
While the results of the poll showed overall support for the Games bid, at 55 per cent, it also revealed that a more pronounced majority of 61 per cent are opposed to public spending on the project.
The poll also showed that more people were sceptical about the economic legacy of the Games than those who believed it would bring lasting benefit.
Majority support
The most popular response to the question “how strongly do you support or oppose the bid” was “strongly support”, with 35 per cent ticking this box. With 20 per cent saying they “somewhat support” the bid, the poll showed an overall majority of 55 per cent supporting the bid.
Support for the bid would not necessarily translate into ticket sales, however. Just 45 per cent of respondents said they would either “definitely” or “probably” attend the Games in person.
Economic benefit
Slightly more people believed that Games expenditure was “unlikely” to produce lasting benefit for Boston (46 per cent) than those who said this was “likely” (49 per cent).
In answer to the question about “lasting economic benefit for Boston”, the largest group of respondents (29 per cent) said that this was “very unlikely” while 19 per cent thought it “somewhat unlikely”.
This means 48 per cent of people thought economic benefit was unlikely, as compared to 44 per cent that deemed it to be likely.
“Taxpayer dollars”
The strongest opinions revealed by the poll were in response to questions about the financing of bidding for and hosting the Games.
43 per cent of respondents would “strongly oppose” the use of “taxpayer dollars” to fund the bid. Coupled with the 18 per cent who “somewhat oppose” this, the poll reveals that a clear majority of 61 per cent are opposed to public finance of the project.
Boston’s bid is planned to be financed privately and, if successful, the bid committee has pledged that any infrastructure projects relating specifically to the Games will be entirely privately financed, However, the poll indicated that 55 per cent believe that “financial support for the Olympics will come at the expense of other worthwhile causes,” as compared with the 23 per cent who believe “most costs will be carried by business”.
Positive start
Public support for the Olympic Games is an important metric on which the bid will be evaluated and the overall support for the bid at this early stage will be seen as a positive.
A recent gathering of opponents to Boston’s bid, organised by “No Boston Olympics”, attracted little more than a hundred people.
The US Olympic Committee has been quick off the blocks in announcing Boston as its contender for the 2024 Games, with only Rome the only confirmed competitor.
Germany is expected to put forward either Berlin or Hamburg. A number of other cities and countries are said to be contemplating bidding, including Baku, Budapest, Doha, Istanbul, Paris and South Africa.
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Birmingham USA chosen to host 2021 World Games
The Executive Committee of the International World Games Association has chosen Birmingham, Alabama as the host city of the 2021 World Games.
The decision was announced on Thursday at a press conference in the Mövenpick Hotel in Lausanne,
Birmingham beat off competition from Lima in Peru and the Russian city of Ufa.
The decision was made after the delegations’ final presentations to the IWGA Executive Committee at the International Olympic Committee headquarters.
“All the bids we received were of very high quality, and it was not easy for us to reach a decision,” said José Perurena, President of the International World Games Association.
“We have to deliver nothing less than outstanding World Games. We are convinced that Birmingham will exceed these expectations.
“We are happy to showcase our sports in Birmingham in July 2021, and we are sure that we will be offered optimal conditions for our sportsmen and women there.”
Perurena also hailed Birmingham’s organisational skills and the support of the city administration and the National Olympic Committee.
Birmingham Council President Johnathan Austin said “The city of Birmingham will make the World Games 2021 the best World Games that you all have seen.”
The decision is subject to “successful negotiation of contractual conditions” and the agreement with the host city will not be signed until the close of the Annual General Meeting in April 2015.
Birmingham, the largest city in Alabama, has never hosted an international multi-sports event before.
The Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau is anticipating that hosting the 2021 World Games will bring an economic benefit of more than US$250m from visitors to the city.
The cost of hosting the Games has been forecast to be US$75m, which will raised from public and private sources.
The World Games is a quadrennial and multidisciplinary sports event under the patronage of the IOC, showcasing more than 25 sports including Gymnastics, Squash, Tug of War, Sumo and Roller Sports. About 4,500 athletes and officials from approximately 100 countries take part.
The 2021 World Games will the 11th edition, following the 10th World Games in July 2017 in Wroclaw, Poland.
The World Games has not been to the USA since the inaugural edition in 1981 in Santa Clara, California.
The bidding process for the 2021 World Games began in early 2014. The host city selection process is restricted to Executive Committee members, according to Inside the Games. The IWGA is reported to be reviewing the bidding process going forward to engage sports federations in the evaluation and selection processes. -
IOC opens new invitation phase for 2024 Games bids
The International Olympic Committee has launched its reformed bidding procedure with a new invitation phase, during which National Olympic Committees can discuss their plans “at their earliest convenience” before the application deadline of 15 September.
This new consultative approach, launched four weeks after the adoption of Agenda 2020, will help NOCs to ascertain the viability of bidding for the Games before committing in full.
These early discussions with the IOC have the potential to reducing the cost of bidding and organising the Games for cities – one of the key aims of Agenda 2020.
The concept of “shaping the bid process as an invitation” has been central to the Agenda 2020 review right from its inception.
Another key aim of Agenda 2020 with regard to bidding process is to strengthen the evaluation of bid cities to more clearly highlight key opportunities and risks.
Until now, the bidding process for the Olympic Games has been split into two phases – the “applicant” and “candidature” phases, which will now follow the invitation phase.
In the applicant phase, cities send in an application file which is studied by an IOC working group, who assess the bid for the IOC executive board. If approved by the board, the bid then progresses to the candidature phase, which requires much more detailed plans in the form of a candidature file and site visits.
Interested NOCs and cities will now be able to receive “various levels of assistance and feedback” between now and the 15 September deadline for officially committing to a bid.
“Bidding for the Games is not a tender for a franchise, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution,” the IOC said in a statement.
“The bid process is about making proposals and offering solutions that will deliver excellent Games, with no compromise on the field of play for the athletes while also meeting the needs of the city and region to ensure the Games leave a positive, long-term, sustainable legacy.”
Cities considering bidding for the Games are encouraged to place greater emphasis on the use of existing, temporary and demountable venues.
During the invitation phase, the IOC will inform interested parties of the “core requirements” necessary to organise the Games in order “to assist interested cities and their NOCs to develop a project that best meets each city’s unique long-term development needs.”
The IOC also expressed its satisfaction with the “strong interest” in hosting the 2024 Olympic Games, with the NOCs of Germany, Italy and the United States already indicating their intention to bid. -
Power networks upgraded for Baku 2015, Aggreko contracted
Aggreko will provide temporary power to the inaugural European Games to be hosted in Baku, Azerbaijan in June 2015, the company informed HOST CITY.
The leading supplier of temporary power and temperature control services will supply 34 MW of power for the opening and closing ceremonies, International Broadcast Centre (IBC) and 13 competition venues.
The announcement comes as Baku’s state energy operator, Bakielektrikshebeke, pledged to upgrade its infrastructure to cope with the demands of hosting the Games.
“Baku will host the first European Games in 2015. This is a historic event for our country, and we are carefully preparing for it,” Tanriverdi Mustafayev Bakielektrikshebeke’s head of press, told local media.
“Old transformers will be replaced with those with large capacity wherever necessary, including stadiums and hotels.”
Power outages were commonplace in Baku until recently and the city still suffers from occasional outages.
“Baku develops year by year, and the number of subscribers increases as well. It means that we should continue increasing the capacity of the power grid. In the past eight years, it increased by 90 percent,” Mustafayev said.
“Recently we have established three substations each with a capacity of 110 kW and nine substations each with a capacity of 35 kW. In general, Bakielektrikshebeke has established 26 substations each with a capacity of 110 kW and 70 substations each with a capacity of 35 kW since 2006.”
The news follows a successful year in the major events sector for Aggreko in 2014, when they provided services to the FIFA World Cup, Glasgow Commonwealth Games and the Ryder Cup.
At the FIFA World Cup in Brazil, Aggreko supplied temperature control services and 50 MW of temporary power for the IBC and 12 stadiums.
The Scottish-headquartered company also provided 103 gensets for the 2014 Commonwealth Games and a further 17 MW of power for the 2014 Ryder Cup.
For London 2012, Aggreko provided 260 MW of power using over 500 gensets. -
Glasgow 2014 awarded US$1bn of contracts, mostly local
Contracts totalling more than US$1bn (£669m) were awarded in relation to hosting the 2014 Commonwealth Games, Glasgow City Council announced on Friday.
The majority of these “Tier One” contracts were awarded to companies and organisations from Glasgow, which won over US$636 (£423m) of business.
More than three quarters (US$766m, or 510m) of the total value of contracts was awarded to Scottish firms.
As part of regeneration initiatives in Glasgow, Games-related contracts included community benefit clauses that created employment and business opportunities for local people and companies and led to the long-term unemployed and school leavers winning places on high-profile construction projects across the city, the Council said.
“It’s enormously heartening to read these hugely impressive figures about the jobs, apprenticeships and contracts gained by Glasgow people and businesses as a result of our Games,” said councillor Gordon Matheson, Leader of Glasgow City Council.
“We also retain the skills, facilities and enhanced international reputation that ensures we will continue to attract world-class events in the future.
“The world knows that Glasgow delivered the best Commonwealth Games there have ever been. But the Games were always about much more than 11 spectacular days of sport and cultural festival, however wonderful and memorable. What matters most are the lasting benefits for the people of Glasgow.”
In the run-up to the Games, the council and its partners engaged with the city’s communities and businesses through the Get Ready Glasgow programme, advising on Games-time operations and how local firms would maximise the opportunities available.
Glasgow City Council also provided supported for a huge range of organisations working on the Games through one-to-one sessions, specialist seminars and mass ‘Meet the Buyer’ events.
To bid for a Games-related contract, firms and organisations had to register on the Glasgow Business Portal. Over 22,500 registrations were made on Portal, with over 4,400 from Glasgow.
To ensure the long term sustainable legacy of these outcomes, the Glasgow Business Portal merged with the Scottish Government’s Public Contract Scotland (PCS) during November 2014, with the merger providing more efficient service for suppliers by ensuring all opportunities and sub-contracts for public bodies are advertised on one dedicated site.
The city council says it is now seen as a model in awarding public sector contracts. The £1.13bn Glasgow City Region City Deal, signed in August 2014, is viewed as another chance to deliver significant community benefit for Glasgow and the surrounding areas.
The council says its ambitious Commonwealth Apprenticeship Initiative has found Modern Apprenticeship places for almost 3,600 Glasgow school leavers over the past five years.
784 graduates have gained employment through the council’s Commonwealth Graduate Fund, 917 previously unemployed people living in the city have secured jobs through the Commonwealth Jobs Fund, and 321 people found jobs through the Commonwealth Youth Fund.
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CH2M HILL and Mace to build 2020 Expo Dubai site
Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) has appointed a consortium of CH2M HILL and Mace to deliver the Dubai Trade Centre Jebel Ali development, the site that will host Expo 2020 Dubai and act as focus for events beyond 2021.
In a rigorous procurement process, the joint venture of US firm CH2M HILL and UK-based Mace had to compete with other leading global firms with mega-event experience.
In winning the tender, CH2M HILL-Mace is now responsible for providing full-service consultancy, real estate programme management, design, construction and operations management for the end-to-end development and delivery of Dubai Trade Centre Jebel Ali and the Expo 2020 Dubai site.
Dubai Trade Centre Jebel Ali development is the master district that will host Expo 2020 Dubai within a secure gated area from October 2020 until April 2021.
“In CH2M HILL and Mace we have a proven partner that we feel confident will enable the delivery of a state-of-the-art home for Expo 2020 Dubai,” said Ahmed Al Khatib, Director – Real Estate, DWTC.
The site, designed by architectural firm HOK and engineering company Arup, contains precincts that are being programmed specifically for long term use beyond the Expo.
The Dubai Trade Centre Jebel Ali development is being planned as a new focal point of global business tourism for the region, reinforcing the UAE’s established position as an international destination fostering thought leadership across key sectors for economic development and a business networking hub through trade fairs, mega-events and conferences.
The site is also being planned as an inclusive environment that inspires the region’s young people while fostering cultural learning, cooperation, creativity and business.
The vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai is to create a smart destination for ‘purposeful innovation’, with a core focus on youth and culture to establish Dubai as a global city of the future.
“The success of the development is critically linked to its timely and efficient evolution to the planned legacy of Dubai Trade Centre Jebel Ali, and we look forward to seeing this partnership with CH2M HILL-Mace support DWTC and Dubai in fulfilling this long-term commitment,” said Al Khatib.
CH2M HILL-Mace have previously joined forces on several occasions in the sports and events industries, most recently for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
CH2M HILL has also played a strategic consulting role on Rio 2016. Mace is programme manager for the Qatar Public Works programmes and has provided strategic advice to the organising committee of Astana Expo 2017.
Both companies have a strong presence in the Middle East. In the UAE they have independently delivered major private sector and government projects including Jumeirah Beach Residences, Mall of the Emirates, Business Bay Development, Media City, Silicon Oasis, the Abu Dhabi STEP Programme, ENEC Nuclear Programme and Masdar City.
“As a world leader in programme management, we will bring our track record of delivery excellence, sustainability and innovation to this programme, a benchmark for major events,” said Joseph Danko, senior vice president and operations director, urban programmes at CH2M HILL.
“We are excited to take on this amazing opportunity and contribute to the ever increasing global role of Dubai, its leadership and people.”
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Tokyo 2020 signs NTT and Asahi as Gold Partners
Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT) Corporation and Asahi Breweries have both signed as gold partners of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, within the space of two days.
On Monday, the Tokyo-based NTT Corporation signed as Official Telecommunications Services Partner.
NTT Corporation will provide telecommunications services for hosting the Games.
On Tuesday, Asahi Breweries was announced as the second Gold Partner in the “Beer & Wine” category.
The world’s highest earning telecommunications company, NTT also worked on Japan’s three previous Olympic Games: Tokyo 1964, Sapporo 1972 and Nagano 1998.
“NTT has a long and distinguished history of connecting people across the length and breadth of Japan, and it is my earnest wish that we will be able to work together to further strengthen bonds between people and ensure that we deliver a successful Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2020,” said Tokyo 2020 President Yoshir? Mori.
In today’s world, security is a major function of the telecommunications partner.
“With the rapid evolution of ICT (information and communications technology), the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics require telecommunications convenience to be accompanied by safety more than ever before,” NTT said in a statement.
“In addition to helping make the Games’ telecommunications safe, secure, and welcoming, NTT is taking advantage of the Group’s telecommunications related security technologies and its telecommunications service infrastructure inside and outside Japan, endeavouring to act as a ‘value partner’ in providing an unprecedented level of hospitality to the Tokyo 2020 and other relevant organisations, as well as competitors and guests from Japan and overseas.”
The second Gold Partner to sign, Asahi Breweries, is already a Gold Partner of the Japanese Olympic Committee.
“As becoming the Tokyo 2020 Gold Partner (Beer & Wine), we are greatly looking forward to support not just the Japanese national team, but also every single athlete competing in the Games, allowing them to perform beyond their limits, and convey the message of the magnificence of having hopes and dreams to the children who bear the future,” said Akiyoshi Koji, president of Asahi Breweries.
“Asahi Breweries has an excellent slogan, which translates roughly as ‘Let’s share the emotion,’” said Mori.
“This slogan very much echoes the efforts of the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee to support athletes in their endeavours and to provide a stage where that emotion can be shared.
“During the Games, the whole of Japan will be raising their glasses and cheering on the athletes, and we are looking forward to working closely with Asahi Breweries to share the emotion of the Tokyo 2020 Games.”
The Tokyo 2020 organising committee is reported to be targeting $1.1bn of sponsorship revenue to fund staging the Games, with the top tier gold category said to be valued at $128m. At these prices, Tokyo 2020 could already be 30 per cent of the way towards its sponsorship revenue target.
The domestic sponsors of the organising committee are distinct from the International Olympic Committee’s global TOP sponsorship programme, which also makes a major contribution to hosting the Games while supporting the Olympic movement worldwide and includes Japanese companies Bridgestone and Panasonic.