The Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games is to return to London’s former Olympic Stadium from 24 to 26 July 2015, Mo Farah announced on Monday.
And from 2016, British Athletics will host a month of athletics in the stadium in an annual “festival” under a 50-year agreement.
The 2015 Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games will include a two-day Diamond League meeting on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 July, with the Sainsbury’s IPC Athletics Grand Prix Final taking place on Sunday 26 July.
Double Olympic 10,000m and 5,000m Champion Mo Farah returned to the former Olympic Stadium on Monday to launch the event, which is due to take place in the iconic venue at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
“It’s fantastic that the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games is planning to return to the former Olympic Stadium this summer and I can’t wait to get back on this track to compete, at what will be a stunning celebration of athletics,” Farah said.
“The atmosphere will be amazing and I’m sure it will bring back the memories of London 2012 and the inaugural Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games in 2013.
“I hope the British public will be as excited as I am about this event, and will come out to support the athletes. I’m sure it will be the best outdoor meet this year and a great send off to the World Championships.”
Tickets are due to go on sale at the end of April and demand is expected to be high. All 65,000 tickets for the 2013 anniversary Grand Prix athletics on 26 and 27 July sold out in just 75 minutes.
“Seeing the likes of Mo Farah return to the Olympic Stadium for the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games will be one of this year’s monumental sporting events,” said Tara Hewitt, head of sponsorship at Sainsbury’s.
On 26 July, Paralympic stars from all over the world are to compete at the stadium and the London Aquatics Centre. The events will coincide with National Paralympic Day and the Mayor of London’s Liberty Festival.
“I am excited to announce that National Paralympic Day will be returning this year with elite sports competitions in both Swimming and Athletics, as well as lots of fun, family-friendly activity on the Park,” said Tim Hollingsworth, chief executive of the British Paralympic Association.
“Over 50,000 people have taken up the chance to come to the Park to be part National Paralympic Day over the past two years and relive the wonder of the London 2012 Paralympics.”
The stadium is currently closed as work continues to transform it into the new national competition centre for British Athletics in 2016 and the permanent home of West Ham United FC.
The stadium, designed by Populous, is currently being reconfigured from its Olympic Games mode to optimise it for hosting several events later this year including the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games and five Rugby World Cup matches.
Under an agreement with British Athletics, the stadium will host athletics competitions for one month of every year from 2016 for fifty years.
“The Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games this summer will mark the start of new athletics legacy at the former Olympic Stadium,” said British Athletics Chief Executive, Niels de Vos.
“For one month a year the Stadium will be the beating heart of athletics in this country and we want the nation to get excited about it and be part of it.
“As well as hosting the best international competitions in the world we need to create a two, three or four-week festival where that stadium is buzzing with athletics and fans every day.”
Tag: Sponsorship
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London to host annual athletics festival starting with 2015 Anniversary Games
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SportAccord Convention welcomes back Repucom as Marketing Research Partner for World Sport & Business Summit
SportAccord Convention has announced that Repucom will once again be the Official Marketing Research Partner for this year’s World Sport & Business Summit taking place from 19-24 April 2015 at the Sochi Expocentre, Sochi, Russia.
“We’re delighted to be partnering with SportAccord Convention for another year; an event that clearly shapes the sports landscape annually.” said Paul Smith, Repucom Founder and CEO. “Equally, Repucom strives to help clients navigate the sports and entertainment sector – through research, analytics and insights – ultimately delivering solutions connected to these three pillars. Being a partner of SportAccord Convention brings us closer to the equation.”
Repucom’s connected solutions allow businesses to better understand and connect with their audiences and customers through media, sponsorship and communication.
Nis Hatt, Managing Director, SportAccord Convention commented, “As the research and consultancy provider for top brands and organisations in the sports world, Repucom is ideally positioned to take the pulse of the industry.”
Over the last year, a key development for Repucom was the work in Government, Tourism and Events, helping their partners to achieve a range of objectives including revenue increases for rights holders.
This year, Repucom are going a step further, and taking a more holistic approach in delivering solutions, supported by more than 30 years of experience and using the tools they have access to globally.
The SportAccord Convention World Sport & Business Summit is a unique opportunity for key decision-makers in sport to engage with business leaders across 25+ industry sectors. The 6-day event features a 3-day Conference, dynamic exhibition, LawAccord, City Forum, the SportAccord Convention Village and Sports Demo Zone, as well as hosting the annual general meetings of governing bodies of world sport.
For more conference information, including the Official Schedule and Conference Programme, or to register as a delegate, visit www.sportaccordconvention.com. -
Sportaccord Convention announces PwC as a Gold Partner for the World Sport & Business Summit
SportAccord Convention has announced that PwC will be a Gold Partner for this year’s World Sport & Business Summit taking place from 19-24 April 2015 at the Sochi Expocentre, Sochi, Russia.
The agreement marks PwC’s third year as a Gold Partner. “SportAccord Convention is important to us as a platform for connecting with sport industry decision makers and speaking with them about the issues critical to their success. It gives us a chance to engage with delegates in an open, constructive atmosphere,” said Robert Gruman, who heads PwC’s Global Sports Mega-Events Centre of Excellence. He continued:
“This year, we are proud that our colleague Hazem Galal, PwC’s Cities and Local Governments Consulting Global Leader, has been asked to deliver the keynote address on Legacy. In connection with that, we also plan to carry out a Sporting Leaders Survey on Legacy in partnership with the SportAccord Convention World Sport & Business Summit organisers.”
The PwC delegation to the Convention includes people from key territories across their global network – from Switzerland to the Middle East, and from the United States to Russia.
“Our Gold Partnership with PwC continues to be of great value to us as an organisation and we are delighted to have PwC deliver the keynote address.” said Nis Hatt, Managing Director of SportAccord Convention. “We are very pleased that the partnership is continuing and that we are able to provide a platform for PwC to meet its business objectives.”
PwC’s Sports Mega-Events Centre of Excellence comprises a network of professionals experienced in bringing value at all phases of the sports mega-events lifecycle.
The SportAccord Convention World Sport & Business Summit is a unique opportunity for key decision-makers in sport to engage with business leaders across 25+ industry sectors. The 6-day event features a dynamic exhibition, LawAccord, City Forum, the SportAccord Convention Village and Sports Demo Zone, as well as hosting the annual general meetings of governing bodies of world sport.
For more conference information, including the Official Schedule and Conference Programme, or to register as a delegate, visit www.sportaccordconvention.com -
Toyota to transport the Olympic Games to 2024
The International Olympic Committee has confirmed that Toyota has joined The Olympic Partner (TOP) programme in a new “mobility” category.
The deal will see the Japanese company supply sustainable transport solutions through to the 2024 Games.
Toyota’s global rights begin in 2017 but the company’s sponsorship rights in Japan are effective immediately.
Toyota joins Bridgestone Group as the second Japanese headquartered multinational to sponsor the IOC since Tokyo was awarded the hosting rights to the 2020 Olympic Games in 2013.
“Long-term partnerships are the backbone of our commercial programmes and they enable the financial security of the entire Olympic Movement,” said Tsunekazu Takeda, the IOC’s Marketing Commission Chairman, President of the Japanese Olympic Committee and Vice-President of the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee.
The IOC’s twelve worldwide TOP partners also include McDonalds, Coca Cola and Visa.
The value of the deal has not been disclosed but domestic Japanese media have cited a figure of US$835m (GB£565m).
The mobility partnership will focus on sustainability, the central principle of the IOC’s Agenda 2020 programme of reform.
“It is the first time in the successful history of the TOP programme that we have had a mobility category, said IOC President Thomas Bach.
“It is in the spirit of the Olympic Agenda 2020 not just in terms of innovation but also in terms of sustainability in mobility.
“Toyota is the world leader in its field and this partnership signifies a strong commitment to the future of the IOC and the Olympic Movement. Toyota and the IOC share the same values and we welcome Toyota Motor Corporation to the Olympic family.”
Toyota will work with the Organising Committees through to 2024 to provide sustainable mobility solutions for hosting the Olympic Games and the legacy of the host cities.
These solutions include intelligent transport systems, urban traffic systems and vehicle-to-vehicle communications systems.
Toyota will also support the Olympic movement through its global promotional reach.
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IOC sponsor Samsung and Generations For Peace renew partnership
Global technology giant and International Olympic Committee TOP Partner Samsung has renewed its regional partnership with Generations For Peace for the eighth year running.
Samsung’s partnership with the NGO is based on shared values. The decision to renew the partnership was influenced by the success of Generation’s for Peace’s programmes and its recent strong performance in a global ranking.
“Since 2008, our partnership with Generations For Peace has been driven by our shared interest in social development through sport and education, and our shared focus on innovation, quality, impact and sustainability,” said Mr. Bumsuk Hong, President of Samsung Electronics Levant.
“We have been especially impressed with Generations For Peace’s recent ranking at #32 in the ‘Top 500 NGOs in the World’, and the results being achieved by empowering youth leaders and teachers to reduce violence, promoting tolerance and responsible citizenship in their communities and schools.”
Samsung’s support is part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme “Hope For Children”.
Generations For Peace, the only peace-through-sport organisation officially recognised by the IOC, runs programmes in the Levant region that use sport to educate, develop and influence the behaviour of young people.
The programmes in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Palestine empower volunteers to address local issues of conflict and violence in their own communities.
HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein, IOC Member and the Founder and Chairman of Generations For Peace, said: “As our longest-serving partner, Samsung’s support is a wonderful example of an Olympic TOP Partner supporting our work at a regional level. In communities and schools, we are using sport to transform conflict and empower children, youth, and teachers.
“We are also using Samsung’s technology to benefit our programmes. Samsung and Generations For Peace are combining our passion and expertise together, to inspire the world and create a better future.”
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Nomura sponsors Tokyo 2020 as securities Gold Partner
Tokyo 2020 has signed Nomura Holdings as a Gold Partner in the category “Securities”.
“I am delighted that today Tokyo 2020 has concluded a Gold Partner agreement with Nomura Holdings, Inc,” said Tokyo 2020 President Yoshiro Mori.
“Naturally, I look forward to the support that Nomura will provide as a Tokyo 2020 Gold Partner, but I also hope that the company will continue the vital role it is playing in the securities market, which forms the foundation of the Japanese economy.”
Nomura provides services to individuals, institutions, corporates and governments through its three business divisions: Retail, Asset Management, and Wholesale (Global Markets and Investment Banking).
“We are proud to support athletes on their journey to the Tokyo 2020 Games,” said Nomura Group CEO Koji Nagai.
“The Olympic and Paralympic Games provide significant economic benefits to host countries and we see the Tokyo 2020 Games as the perfect opportunity to revitalize the Japanese economy.
“By supporting athletes aiming for their personal best and companies adapting to a changing environment, we hope to contribute to the success of the Tokyo 2020 Games while fostering economic growth and social development in Japan.”
As well as helping to fund the delivery of the Games, domestic sponsors are a core component of Tokyo 2020’s marketing programme. They are accorded the rights to use Olympic and Paralympic designations and imagery including emblems, mascots and slogans.
As Gold Partners, the top tier domestic sponsors, Nomura joins Asahi, Canon, Eneos, Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance, Nissay, NEC, NTT and Fujitsu.
In addition to domestic sponsors, the IOC’s Worldwide Olympic (TOP) Partners – Coca-Cola, Atos, Bridgestone, Dow, GE, McDonald’s, Omega, Panasonic, Procter and Gamble, Samsung, Toyota and Visa – also contribute to the financing and delivery of the Games.
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SportAccord Convention signs Filmmaster Events as Silver Partner
SportAccord Convention has announced Filmmaster as Silver Partner to this year’s World Sport & Business Summit taking place from 19-24 April 2015 at the Sochi Expocentre, Sochi, Russia.
Filmmaster is the producer of the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Ceremonies, as well as the Olympic and Paralympic torch relay, and recognised for staging some of the most exclusive sporting and cultural events worldwide. For the last 5 years, Filmmaster has been awarded Best Event Agency.
Antonio Albete, CEO of Filmmaster Events commented: “Filmmaster Events is a leading global event agency that over the years has produced the main international sports events. This is going to be a big year for us, since we are involved in several sport and institutional events around the world and we will work at the production of Rio 2016 Olympic Ceremonies and Torch relay. We are really proud to be here for SportAccord Convention and would not miss this important event in the sport industry.”
With 35 years experience and offices in Rome, Milan, Dubai, London and Rio, Filmmaster takes care of every phase including the creation, planning and production of events.
Nis Hatt, Managing Director, SportAccord Convention noted, “Filmmaster creates unforgettable events and moments people treasure. Their flair and brilliant mastery are hallmarks of their brand and we’re delighted to welcome Filmmaster to the SportAccord Convention World Sport & Business Summit.”
The SportAccord Convention World Sport & Business Summit is a unique opportunity for key decision-makers in sport to engage with business leaders across 25+ industry sectors. The 6-day event features a 3-day Conference, dynamic exhibition, LawAccord, City Forum, the SportAccord Convention Village and Sports Demo Zone, the SportAccord Sport Awards, as well as hosting the annual general meetings of governing bodies of world sport.
To register as a delegate visit www.sportaccordconvention.com. For further facts and insights on this year’s Convention, see The Preview. -
Samsung throws US$92m lifeline to PyeongChang 2018
Samsung Group on Monday signed as domestic sponsor of the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games.
Samsung will support the PyeongChang Organizing Committee for the 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (POCOG) with a sponsor package valued at KRW 100 bn (USD 92m) to become a domestic partner working in various business areas across the Samsung group.
The domestic sponsorship is in addition to the Worldwide TOP Partnership with the IOC, which Samsung recently renewed until 2020 and which includes the provision of wireless communications equipment, tablet PC, notebook computer and desktop PCs.
“We are happy to have Samsung support in addition to the TOP partner agreement with POCOG,” Cho Yang-ho, president of POCOG said. “We are confident that this sponsorship agreement will encourage other Korean companies to join as sponsors for the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.”
POCOG has also signed domestic sponsors agreements with Samsung Group, Korean Air, KT, Youngone Outdoor (The NORTH FACE Brand), Pagoda Education Group and Samil PricewaterhouseCoopers, but has so far only achieved 41 per cent of its sponsorship target.
According to AFP, POCOG anticipates reaching 70 per cent of its sponsorship target by the end of 2015.
“Samsung Group is thrilled that Korea has won the right to host the Olympic Winter Games. The Corporation demonstrates its support by extending the domestic marketing rights for PyeongChang 2018 that are already in place through the TOP (The Olympic Partner) contract with the IOC,” said Park Sangjin, president of corporate relations at Samsung.
“Indeed, Samsung has made a meaningful decision to provide additional support for the PyeongChang 2018 organizing committee to contribute to the successful Olympic Winter Games. This sponsorship agreement furthers our efforts to commit to social responsibility as a corporate representative of Korea.” -
SportAccord Convention signs IAAF as Bronze Partner
SportAccord Convention announced today that the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) had signed up as a Bronze Partner for this year’s World Sport & Business Summit taking place from 19-24 April 2015 at the Sochi Expocentre, Russia.
As part of its sponsorship, the IAAF will be holding a live Kids’ Athletics demonstration on Tuesday, 21st April (12:00-14:00hrs) in front of the Expocentre. Created in 2005, Kids’ Athletics is a worldwide sports development programme with the mission to make Athletics the number one physical activity in schools, and since 2012 has been partnered by “Nestlé Healthy Kids”.
The demonstration event will be attended by IAAF President Lamine Diack and two 800m running greats, Denmark’s 3-time World champion Wilson Kipketer and Russia’s 2004 Olympic champion Yuriy Borzakovskiy.
“The IAAF is thrilled to be a Bronze Partner for this year’s SportAccord Convention. This is an exciting time for Athletics, the number one Olympic sport, and there is no better opportunity in 2015 to showcase our flagship school/youth programme to leading figures in the world of sport,” said Nick Davies, IAAF Deputy General Secretary and Communications Director.
IAAF / Nestlé Kids’ Athletics, which has now been rolled out to over 130 countries, aims to introduce young people to sport and educate them in a fun way about the lifelong benefits of physical activity.
A year ahead of the Rio Olympic Games and, with the IAAF World Championships, Beijing 2015 taking place in the world famous Bird’s Nest stadium from 22 to 30 August, Athletics is in the spotlight. The IAAF is eager to take that opportunity to showcase its inspiring youth development programme to the world.
Commenting on the Partnership, Nis Hatt, Managing Director, SportAccord Convention said: “The Sports Demo Zone is an integral part of the SportAccord Convention and having the support and involvement of the IAAF is significant, as we continue to promote and educate both the youth, and indeed adults, about the benefits of physical activity for health and well-being.”
As part of its Bronze Partner status, the IAAF will also be sponsoring the daily morning runs. On Wednesday, 22nd April, Kipketer and Borzakovskiy will be offering a fortunate group of runners the opportunity to take in the sights by leading them on a short run around the Olympic Park. The aim of the sponsorship is to show that the IAAF is not only about elite performance sport but has a huge role to play to encourage physical activity amongst the wider public.
The International Association of Athletics (IAAF) created in 1912 is the world governing and rule making body for Athletics, the Olympics number one sport. Today the IAAF encompasses track and field, race walking, road, cross country and mountain running. Boasting 213 national Member Federations, it has a global reach greater than that of the United Nations. The biennial IAAF World Championships, whose nine days of competition attract 2000 athletes from over 200 countries and are broadcast to an accumulated 6 billion TV audience worldwide, are the world’s third largest sporting event after the Olympic Games and football’s World Cup.
For further details about the SportAccordConvention World Sport & Business Summit, or to register as a delgate, visit www.sportaccordconvention.com.
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Qatar Olympic Committee returns to SportAccord Convention as Silver Partner
SportAccord Convention has welcomed Qatar Olympic Committee as a Silver Partner for this year’s World Sport & Business Summit taking place from 19-24 April 2015 at the Sochi Expocentre, Sochi, Russia.
“The Qatar Olympic Committee is pleased to be partnering the SportAccord Convention again this year,” said Sheikh Saoud Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Secretary General, Qatar Olympic Committee.
“The Convention always provides an excellent platform for the sporting community to discuss important issues and the QOC looks forward to strengthening existing associations and building new relationships as part of our commitment to international sports development.”
The Qatar Olympic Committee is the overall supervising body for all sports and events in Qatar. This includes supporting its National Federations in the development of their sports and the organisation of world-class events, promoting community participation and enjoyment of sport, and developing sport at every level.
Nis Hatt, Managing Director, SportAccord Convention said, “We are delighted to have Qatar Olympic Committee taking part in the SportAccord Convention. Their return, as a Silver Partner, reinforces the value seen by governing sports bodies and federations, and we are sure the QOC and all sports organisations will further benefit from the opportunities gained, as the Convention grows in stature to the World Sport & Business Summit.”
With a busy sports calendar both nationally and internationally for 2015, including the World Boxing Championships and IPC Athletics World Championships, which are both taking place in Doha in October, the Qatar Olympic Committee is also actively promoting opportunities for women in sport, and the Qatar Women’s Sport Committee was established in 2000 to encourage greater female sports participation.
At this year’s SportAccord Convention, the Conference Programme includes a Panel Session entitled: When Inequality IS the Legacy and will discuss the challenges that still exist for women and girls, even playing sport at all levels, in some parts of the world, as well as the legacy being left behind for girls starting out in sport today.
The SportAccord Convention World Sport & Business Summit is a unique opportunity for key decision-makers in sport to engage with business leaders across 25+ industry sectors. The 6-day event features a 3-day Conference, dynamic exhibition, LawAccord, City Forum, MediaAccord, the SportAccord Convention Village and Sports Demo Zone, as well as hosting the SportAccord Awards, and the annual general meetings of governing bodies of world sport.