[Source: Glasgow 2018] Scottish businesses account for 70 per cent of registrations for future procurement opportunities through the Glasgow 2018 European Championships with more than 538 registrations to date.
During the next few months, a further 17 tendering contracts each with a value of over £50,000 will be available to businesses who have registered with www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk, covering a range of services including ground transport, media operations, audio visual systems and sports equipment.
The number of businesses already registered on www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk for future opportunities include 386 Scottish companies classed as micro or small buwsinesses and 127 Glasgow-based businesses.
The multi-sport event has already awarded nine procurement opportunities covering a total value of £16,500,000.
To be staged every four years, the Glasgow 2018 European Championships will combine the existing European Championships of Athletics, Aquatics, Cycling, Gymnastics, Rowing and Triathlon along with a new Golf team championships. The first edition will be held in August 2018, between 2 and 12 August, in a unique sporting partnership between Host Cities Glasgow and Berlin. Tickets are now on sale at www.glasgow2018.com
Glasgow 2018 European Championships have been working the Supplier Development Programme (SDP) to maximise opportunities for businesses in the city and Scotland. SDP works closely with suppliers to get them tender ready so they have the best possible chance of winning contracts by offering free information, support and information events.
Minister for Public Health and Sport Aileen Campbell said: “This new multi-sport event is the next big thing on the events calendar for Glasgow and Scotland following the best ever Commonwealth Games in 2014.
“Scotland’s visitor economy is worth £11 billion. Staging the 2018 European Championships aligns perfectly with and builds upon Scotland’s national events strategy, Scotland the Perfect Stage.
“We are committed to ensuring this major event provides opportunities for businesses in Glasgow and across Scotland by opening up new audiences and markets.”
Councillor Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “The Glasgow 2018 European Championships is already providing big opportunities for businesses in the city and across Scotland – and that will continue over the next year and right up until the start of the event.
“Staging Glasgow 2018 will also undoubtedly boost the city’s global profile as a visitor destination, at a time when almost 30,000 people are employed in tourism and related industries. In 2014, the Commonwealth Games helped attract 2.7 million visitors to Glasgow, generating £687 million for the local economy.”
Sponsorship opportunities that will give businesses the right to associate with the event and receive a rights and benefits package are available. Businesses interested in sponsorship opportunities can find out more by visiting www.glasgow2018.com or contacting the sponsorship team at info@europeanchampionships.com
For more information about Supplier Development Programme (SDP), please visit https://www.sdpscotland.co.uk
[Source: Glasgow 2018]
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Glasgow 2018 European Championships highlights opportunities for businesses across Scotland
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IOC hails Tokyo 2020’s “remarkable” plans
On 28 to 30 June the International Olympic Committee (IOC)’s Coordination Commission met with the organising committee of the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games (Tokyo 2020) to visit venues and discuss hosting plans.
The IOC gave a very positive appraisal of Tokyo’s budget, Games infrastructure and ability to reach new audiences.
Budget efficiencies
Earlier this year, Tokyo responded to pressure to minimise the cost of hosting the Games by reducing the budget from US$18.1bn to $12.9bn, comprising US$5.6bn for the organising committee and further expenditure by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Japanese National Government.
During meetings with the Coordination Commission, these organisations affirmed their commitment to work with the IOC to find further opportunities to reduce cost. The Coordination Commission also noted Tokyo’s 2020’s ability to generate revenue.
“Planning is going extremely well; it is exceptionally detailed and precise; and Tokyo’s commercial programme is remarkable,” said IOC Coordination Commission Chair John Coates. “We do not have any concerns about this.
“We continue to work with the Organising Committee, led by President Mori, and all of the local stakeholders to ensure that the Games are a force for good. We encourage our Japanese friends to engage with young people and inspire their citizens, while also identifying additional efficiencies to reduce the overall Games budget.”
New audiences
The IOC said in a statement the Coordination Commission was “impressed with the Japanese host city’s plans to bring the Games to new audiences.”
These efforts include projects to engage the whole country in the build up to the Games and a renewed focus on gender balance, youth and urban events in the sports programme.
“The Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 will not only inspire the world during 16 days of competition but will bring new audiences to the Games and their values in the lead-up”, said Coates.
“With the support of Tokyo 2020, we recently added 15 events to the Olympic programme, delivering greater gender equality and more of an urban and youth focus, while reducing the overall number of participants. Our discussions this week have highlighted several ways in which this significant step forward will benefit the athletes and allow Tokyo to involve people who might not necessarily have been interested in the Games before.
“The ongoing work on an urban feel in the waterfront zone, pre-Games engagement activities, and Tokyo 2020’s athletes first focus means that we leave Tokyo excited about what the future holds for these Olympic Games.”
Ways of involving Japanese citizens in preparing for the Games include donating old electronic devices to be used to create medals, and participating in a nationwide flag tour.
Games infrastructure
At the Olympic Village, the Coordination Commission members were briefed on the “uniquely Japanese experience” that the athletes will receive in 2020.
The IOC noted that planning and construction for the National Stadium are proceeding on budget and on track for completion in November 2019. At 72,400 sq m, this is Tokyo 2020’s largest competition venue construction project, set to have 3,000 workers on site at the height of construction.
The IOC said “Tokyo 2020 has been able to benefit significantly from the recommendations of Olympic Agenda 2020. This is reflected not only in the modernisation of the Olympic programme, but also in the ability to help it to invest as efficiently as possible in the organisation of the Games, such as the approximately USD 2.2 billion of savings from the revised construction budget.”
The itinerary included a stop at the downtown Aomi Sports Cluster, where by sport climbing, skateboarding, and Paralympic Football 5-a-side athletes hoping to compete in Tokyo 2020 expressed their excitement at being a part of the Games.
“It was my first visit to the venue site for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020,” said IFSC Climbing World Championship bronze medallist Akiyo Noguchi. “Today’s visit made me feel that this is becoming a reality, and I am now totally determined. I would love to climb the wall right here three years from now.”
“I have never taken part in a skateboarding contest in a venue this size – the audiences are going to be huge,” said 15 year-old skateboarder Nishimura. “I think it will be a good opportunity to show everyone what kind of sport skateboarding is. I am looking forward to it.”
Responsibility to athletes
Other areas of Games preparations discussed included services to athletes, National Olympic Committees, International Federations, the media and spectators; marketing; and the Paralympic Games.
“We had very productive discussions at the Coordination Commission meetings this week,” said Yoshiro Mori, President of the Tokyo Organising Committee. “I’d like to express my deepest gratitude to the members of the Commission for their valuable advice.
“The young rising athletes who came to meet us on Wednesday at the Aomi Sports Cluster, where their sports events will take place in three years, told us with such excitement about their dreams and expectations for Tokyo 2020. It reminded me of all the other young athletes around the world who are working very hard towards their dreams. I felt once again the importance of my responsibility to them. We will continue to strive to deliver successful Olympic Games, and display the value of sports to the world.” -
Host City brings cities and events closer – Sir Craig Reedie
The owners, organisers and hosts of major events need to keep talking and Host City conferences are playing a crucial role in this process, according to Sir Craig Reedie CBE, President of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and former Vice President of the International Olympic Committee.
The fourth Host City conference and exhibition – Host City 2017 – takes place in Glasgow on 28 and 29 November. The first Host City Asia conference takes place in Beijing on 18 October.
Sir Craig Reedie said: “Host City is a really good conference involving cities that want to host events. Anything that can be done to put sport and cities together at an early stage is a good idea and I look forward to this happening in Glasgow and Beijing.
“The Glasgow event is getting bigger and bigger each year – that shows that there is a need for it.
“I expect Host City Asia in Beijing will show what a different market is like. China is full of large cities and there are lots of options within the country. For sports that are big in China – badminton for example – there is always a bidder for a major event.
“So, it will be interesting to see what lessons are learned from the Host City event in Beijing; because in the rest of the world it’s a question of encouraging cities to bid.
“Communication is vital in both the bidding phases and the delivery phase. The IOC appear to be looking at changing the Winter Games bidding process going forward, to make that process more comprehensive and start even earlier.
“On occasions costs ended up to be too high and that was the really limiting factor in terms of new bids. The IOC has to understand this and do something about it, to sit down with the cities who are interested well in advance and find out if we can work together.”
Event rights holders including international federations, national Olympic committees, bidding and organising committees comprise a substantial and growing part of the Host City audience.
Sir Craig Reedie has immense experience leading all these types of organisations, from bringing badminton into the Olympic Programme and presiding over the sport’s international federation to chairing the British Olympic Association and the London 2012 bidding and organising committees. Until 2016 he was Vice President of the International Olympic Committee and is currently President of the World Anti-Doping Agency.
A full transcript of the interview with Sir Craig Reedie will be published in the Autumn issue of Host City magazine.
For more information about Host City visit www.hostcity.com -
SIGA Sport Integrity Forum to address latest sport scandals
[Source: SIGA] The Sport Integrity Global Alliance (SIGA) today announced a stellar line-up of global sport experts for the upcoming SIGA Sport Integrity Forum in Lisbon, Portugal on 26 July.
The second edition of the Forum will bring together more than 100 leaders from the world of sport, government, finance, business and civil society to address the most pressing governance and integrity issues facing the sports industry.
Following the huge success of the first ever Sport Integrity Forum in London earlier this year, this edition will feature lively, interactive and highly-informed panel discussions from the following influencers and experts:
Cindy McCain – Founder, the McCain Institute
Michael Robichaud – Senior Vice President, Global Sponsorships, MasterCard
David Luna – Senior Director, US State Department / Chairman, OECD Task Force on Countering Illicit Trade
Hans Erik Tuijt – Director, Global Sponsorships, Heineken
Michael Hershman – Group CEO, ICSS
AG Burnett – Chairman, Nevada Gaming Authority
Brian Lewis – President, Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC)
Pedro Machado – Partner, PwC
Joao Paulo Almeida – Director General, National Olympic Committee of Portugal
Densign White – CEO, International Mix Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF)
Ian Smith – Commissioner, eSports Integrity Coalition (ESIC)
The SIGA Council said:
“Following our first ever Forum earlier this year, it is clear that urgent reform and collaboration is needed more than ever to tackle the serious governance and integrity issues facing sport. There is a huge amount of work to be done. And it is for this very reason that we are again bringing together high-profile, leading experts to collaborate and share intelligence, new innovations and solutions to benefit the entire global sports movement.”
Additional panellists and keynote speakers will be added to the highly influential line-up that will highlight the issues and challenges ahead, sparking lively cutting-edge discussions on the following five big themes:
Good Governance in Sport: From Rhetoric to Effective Reforms;
Following the Money! The Pathway into Financial Integrity in Sport;
Sports Betting Integrity: Global Solutions to Global Threats;
Youth Development and Protection of Minors in Sport; and
Sports Business, Brand Value and Reputation.
The SIGA General Assembly will take place the day after the Forum at Palácio Foz, Lisbon, Portugal on 27 July.
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ITU extends partnership with SEL Sport & Events Logistics
The International Triathlon Union has extended its partnership with SEL Sport & Events Logistics (SEL) to serve not only as the global logistics partner for ITU but also the travel solutions partner, offering “360 degrees” services.
“We are delighted to further develop our relationship with SEL, which has proven itself to be delivering and adding value to ITU to the highest standards”, said Marisol Casado, ITU President and IOC Member.
“We are thrilled that a company such as SEL Logistics, which has more than 25 years of experience in major events, will be delivering not only the logistic services they’ve been providing for more than a year, but will also take care of all ITU travel solutions as an international sporting federation with multiple events across the world.
“The delivery of our branding elements from race to race all over the world, and the travels of all ITU staff, Technical Officials, and Executive Board are now centralised and organised to the best quality standards.”
SEL Sport & Events Logistics will now provide logistics and freight forwarding for the ITU to all World Triathlon Series (WTS) events in 2017 and extend this service to all 15 World Cups, Paratriathlon World Series and Paratriathlon World Cups.
And as part of its “360 degrees” services, SEL will implement its travel solutions to centralise workloads and increase productivity around the available resources.
“Triathlon is a sport for all – for all ages, for all levels of competition – truly global. So for us to have the opportunity to support ITU in its quest to broaden its reach, we are excited said Pier Bottero, Chief Executive at SEL.
“We shall always endeavour to optimise solutions and services for ITU, and all stakeholders.”
ITU and SEL said they will continue to develop the partnership towards 2020 and beyond as they seek to improve efficiency for LOCs, athletes and fan experiences at ITU events worldwide. -
European Championships will have super-charging effect on our sports and athletes – Paolo Barelli
“In my role as President of the Ligue Européenne de Natation, it has been a pleasure to enjoy two excellent major aquatics events so far this summer – the European Diving Championships in Kiev, Ukraine, and the European Junior Swimming Championships in Netanya, Israel. And still to come is the FINA World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
“It was fantastic to see Kiev host an elite European Championships in Aquatics for the first time. The event was a great success, with sold-out sessions and a great atmosphere.
“Of course, our diving continental showcase will be staged next year within the European Aquatics Championships – part of the Glasgow 2018 multisport European Championships. While co-chairing the most recent Glasgow-Berlin 2018 European Championships Board meeting in June, it was reassuring to hear from the Glasgow organisers that ticket sales are going very well for all sports – not least for our aquatics events.
“Indeed, one of the key objectives for LEN is to develop our disciplines such as swimming, synchronised swimming, open water swimming and diving by reaching out to as wide an audience as possible. Thus it was great to learn that there is such an appetite to watch these disciplines when they take place at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre, Scotstoun Sports Campus, Loch Lomond and Royal Commonwealth Pool.
“Of course, each stakeholder has some of their own individual objectives, but there is an overriding common vision that we all share: the European Championships as a new generation multisport event for European sports that will be an 11-day celebration staged every four years with a super-charging effect on our participating sports and our athletes.
“Together we are creating a must-watch and must-attend experience that elevates the Champions of Europe. We aspire to unite our sports, the public, athletes, nations; to be diverse in showcasing our sports and demonstrate that being a European Champion is a fantastic achievement; to inspire the next generation of champions and encourage the public to get involved in sport; and to continue the rich tradition of our sports so they have a long-lasting, positive impact on the sporting world-stage.
“In short, it is the ultimate multi-sport event to promote our sports on the continent.
“During our recent aquatics events, I have been speaking with our Member Federations about what a special event the European Championships will be for the athletes, and I have been reassured by the positive response of the aquatics family.
“It is our job to work with the athletes who will be competing in Glasgow to ensure they are aware of the enormity of the event. Now that the Championships are starting to be recognised, I am sure many of our European participants in Budapest will be endorsing the European Championships and giving it their full support.
“Indeed, there are so many special qualities connected to the European Championships. We must remind our sports men and women (important to say we have an almost equal gender split!) that between the participating sports – aquatics, athletics, cycling, golf, gymnastics, rowing and triathlon – there are 450 years of history surrounding our respective European Championships. We need to remind them also that to be the best at something out of a continental population of 750 million people is a pretty special achievement!
“Their achievements will be celebrated not only by the fans attending the events in Glasgow and Berlin but also by those watching on television. Our seven major sports have joined forces based on their existing power to attract broadcast viewers which will be further enhanced by packaging them together.
“One of the most important benefits for our sports is that we will benefit from an enhanced offer from our Broadcast Partner, the European Broadcasting Union – up to 1.3 billion television viewers, with many more viewers across multiple digital platforms.
“With one year to go approaching, we are all working hard to promote the inaugural event in Glasgow and Berlin – two of the most iconic sporting and cultural cities in Europe. The European Federations, the Host Cities, and the EBU are fully focused on achieving collective success, pushing the ground-breaking concept and educating everyone within our own communities and beyond.
“We aim to create an awareness and engagement amongst sports and main eventers across Europe – and we see the enormous power of social media as presenting the biggest opportunity to engage these audiences. We want everyone to share in ‘The Moment’ – our tagline that celebrates an event that will be the defining moment for European Champions for 2018 and beyond.”
Paolo Barelli, LEN (Ligue Européenne de Natation) President and co-chair of the 2018 European Championships Board
[Source: 2018 European Championships] -
Susan Sawbridge joins New Zealand Major Events to lead new prospecting unit
Susan Sawbridge has joined the New Zealand Major Events team at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment to head up a new unit focused on event prospecting.
The New Zealand government has established a new Major Event Prospecting Secretariat and independent panel, which will see the country’s government agencies working together to drive a proactive major event prospecting programme.
Led by Susan Sawbridge and housed within the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, the Major Events Prospecting Secretariat will work closely with central government agencies, local government and sector bodies to ensure New Zealand continues to attract and develop significant international events.
Susan previously managed event prospecting and bidding for the city of Auckland.
“This is a really exciting time for us and we are incredibly fortunate to have secured Susan’s talent to champion the government’s approach to prospecting,” said Devorah Blumberg, Manager of New Zealand Major Events.
Susan Sawbridge said, “New Zealand’s major events capability is now very well established, so it’s a perfect opportunity to move prospecting into an even more collaborative and strategic space – both from our perspective and also for events rights holders.”
New Zealand Major Events is a member of the International Association of Event Hosts and a participant in Host City 2017. -
Predictive technology, smart data vital to future of sport security: ICSS CEO at INTERPOL World 2017
[Source: ICSS] During a keynote speech on smart cities and the future of sport safety and security, Michael Hershman, Group CEO of the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) highlighted the vital role that predictive technology will play in securing future major sport events and encouraged more host cities and nations to integrate smart data systems within their safety and security planning.
Speaking during the INTERPOL World 2017 conference – which brought together some of the world’s top law enforcement, government bodies, academia and international security professionals from across the public and private security sector – the ICSS Group CEO acknowledged the growing and significant security challenges facing many major sport event hosts and gave several insights into emerging trends and technologies currently being developed that could help predict potential threats and safeguard host cities and nations in the future.
Michael Hershman, ICSS Group CEO, said: “The challenge of securing high-profile international sporting events has never been greater and the security threats now facing host cities and nations around the world are now hugely complex, sophisticated and organised.
“In order to combat and prevent growing threats like cybersecurity, terrorism and hooliganism, it is important that there is a step-change in future public and private security efforts and it is vital that we urgently look at how emerging smart technology can be proactively used to support and safeguard major sport events in the future.”
During his keynote speech, Hershman highlighted examples of how emerging artificial intelligence and predictive technology can help automate, accelerate and enhance the ability to predict potential security threats, as well as emphasising how smart data and analytics can be used to identify and forecast emerging trends and risks.
He said: “As part of the ICSS’s ongoing mission, we are committed to sharing our expertise to benefit sport and, alongside key partners and organisations around the world, are working to identify new and pioneering ways to help protect and safeguard sport.
“This is why, alongside several key partners, we are in the process of developing the ICSS ARMED™ Data-Fusion System (DFS) – a comprehensive security resilience and predictive analysis platform designed to collect, integrate and analyse data to help event organizers, emergency services and law enforcement agencies predict potential threats and deliver safe and secure major events.
“As we have seen recently, technology that is used in the right way can play a pivotal role in protecting and securing large-scale major sporting events. At the ICSS, we believe strongly that there is now a clear need to help strengthen the smart data and security capabilities of major events and law enforcement agencies, as well as proactively enhance their situational awareness in the high-demanding security situations.”
Hershman concluded: “At a time where technology is playing an increasingly significant role in the lives of many people around the world, it is vital that we use it as a force for good and to enhance technical capabilities of those who secure and safeguard major international sport events.”
For more information on the ICSS and if you are interested in exploring how the ICSS ARMED™ Data-Fusion System (DFS) can help secure your major event, please visit http://www.theicss.org or contact info@theicss.org -
IOC approves awarding 2024 and 2028 Games hosts simultaneously
The membership of the IOC on Tuesday unanimously approved the proposal to award the hosting rights of both the 2024 and 2028 Games at the next IOC session in Lima in September.
The unprecedented decision means both cities currently bidding for the 2024 Games – Los Angeles and Paris – are set to become Olympic host cities, subject to agreement from the respective cities and national Olympic committees over which city will host which edition.
IOC President Thomas Bach described the IOC decision a “golden opportunity” for all involved.
“We are ready to work with them on this ‘win-win-win’ approach,” said Emmanuel Macron, President of France who attended the IOC session in Lausanne.
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said: “I am fully committed with the Paris team to putting all my energy, our creativity and my resolve into reaching an agreement for Paris to experience once again this Olympic adventure that it has been longing for for 100 years.”
Prior to this decision, Paris has ruled out hosting the Games in 2028, while Los Angeles had not dismissed this possibility. The city that hosts the 2028 Games is expected to ask for concessions from the IOC.
“In Olympic history there’s only been 37 times in which there has been a tie for a gold medal. Maybe today is the 38th,” Los Angeles Mayor Garcetti said. “For Los Angeles, it’s a golden opportunity, one that we don’t take lightly.”
The IOC proposal approved by the IOC membership is as follows: “Recognising the exceptional circumstances and unique opportunities presented by the candidatures of Los Angeles and Paris for the Olympic Games 2024, the International Olympic Committee takes the following decision:
1. To authorise the IOC Executive Board to conclude a tripartite agreement with Los Angeles and Paris and their respective NOCs for the simultaneous election of the host cities of the Olympic Games 2024 and 2028 during the 131st IOC Session in Lima;
2. Should such tripartite agreement be concluded, the 131st IOC Session will ratify the tripartite agreement, thereby electing one city for the Olympic Games 2024 and the other city for the Olympic Games 2028. To that effect, the 130th IOC Session hereby waives the seven-year deadline set out in Rule 33.2 of the Olympic Charter; and
3. Should such tripartite agreement not be concluded, the 131st IOC Session will proceed with the election of the host city 2024 in accordance with the current election procedure.”
Earlier in the day, the delegations of Los Angeles 2024, led by Mayor Garcetti, and Paris 2024, led by the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, made outstanding and emotional presentations at the 2024 Candidate City Briefing.
“Ensuring the stability of the Olympic Games for 11 years is something extraordinary,” the IOC President said later at a press conference with the two mayors and leaders from the two candidatures.
“That is why we say this is a great day for the Olympic Games and the Olympic Movement, and it’s a great day also for these two wonderful cities, these two great Olympic cities.” -
Exclusive: IOC agreement on 2024 and 2028 host cities will “take some time”
The IOC and the bid committees of Los Angeles and Paris have agreed to work together on what the IOC President and LA Mayor have both described as the “golden opportunity” of awarding 2024 and 2028 Games simultaneously.
However, there is no guarantee of securing a host for 2028 before the next IOC session in Lima in September.
Speaking from the Extraordinary IOC Session in Lausanne, former IOC Vice President Sir Craig Reedie told Host City: “The IOC, having had issues with a shortage of candidates for previous Winter Games, now find themselves in a situation of having two outstanding candidates for the Summer Games of 2024.
“The Session decided that it would allow the creation of a tripartite solution involving the IOC and both of the cities, LA and Paris, to see if an agreement could be reached whereby one would agree to organise 2024 and a different city to organise 2028.
“This tripartite agreement is likely to take some time. If not successful, there will be a contest in Lima to award the 2024 Games. This solution was unanimously accepted by the IOC Session.”
The LA2024 bid committee welcomed the IOC decision with this statement: “This is a proud day for Los Angeles and the Olympic and Paralympic Movements in America.
“We’re thrilled with the IOC’s decision today, which is a major step forward in making LA’s Olympic dream a reality.
“Today, two of the world’s greatest cities, with outstanding but different proposals, stand ready to serve and advance the Olympic and Paralympic movements and their values. We look forward to working with the IOC and Paris in the weeks ahead to turn this golden opportunity into a golden future together.”
Paris mayor Anne Hildago tweeted: “#Lausanne marks the beginning of a great story between Olympic family, #Paris and #LosAngeles. Thanks to the members of the IOC.”
IOC member and co-president of Paris 2024 bid committee Tony Estanguet tweeted: “Today is day one of a new chapter. Three partners working together to strengthen Olympism.”
But not everyone is convinced that the IOC’s move is a result of positive factors. One delegate at Major Events International Summit on the Olympic park on Wednesday told Host City: “This is not a sign of strength but of weakness. They only have two candidates.”
In a wide-ranging interview to be published in the next issue of Host City magazine, Sir Craig Reedie gave an upbeat assessment of the bidding process for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games.
“Looking at the Winter Games that’s where there may be an indication of reason for hope. There is a potential bid from Stockholm, which is hopeful because if ever a country deserved a Winter Olympic Games it’s Sweden. They are a leading Winter sports country that have never hosted the Games.
“There is a good candidate in Switzerland from Sion and potential Innsbruck from Austria. Calgary are looking at it again, so perhaps we are moving out of the phase that the IOC had where, particularly in Europe, politicians seemed to be very loath to take on the major multisport Olympic events on the basis of their inability to control costs.”
Sir Craig Reedie is speaking at Host City 2017 in Glasgow on 28 and 29 November.