IOC president Thomas Bach has responded to SportAccord president Marius Vizer’s attack by dismissing his views as personal and not representative of Olympic sports federations.
President Bach also said consultation with SportAccord on matters concerning the Olympic Games was not necessary, as the IOC collaborates closely with Olympic sports federations directly.
“Mr Vizer: thank you very much for your open words which you have been expressing here,” Bach said, addressing SportAccord Convention after Vizer’s confrontational opening speech.
“Also I have to say that following the many discussions I had with many of your colleagues, be it the Olympic summer federations, be it the Olympic winter federations, be it the IOC recognized federations, and the many contributions they made to the discussions on Olympic Agenda 2020, my impression is a little bit that the opinion you have is exclusively yours. Because these people have made constructive proposals which has resulted in even closer collaboration between the IOC and international federations.”
Bach said: “When you say that the IOC and SportAccord have to cooperate in order to have a new model for the Olympic Games, for the organisation and for the generation and distribution of the money then I have to say very clearly, “No.” For different reasons.
“First of all our partners are the Olympic Federations. They are doing the effort. And whenever we have an issue with them, whenever there are ideas we are discussing with them.
“And the same applies to the recognized federations. Whenever a recognized federation has an idea, they know very well that the doors in Lausanne are open and that they are enjoying our support in many ways. And if there are issues that are common to the recognized federations then we speak to the president of the IOC recognized federations. They are recognized by the IOC as are the National Olympic Committees, which are our direct partners.”
SportAccord is the umbrella group for both Olympic and non-Olympic sports federations.
“We prefer to address all the issues in a direct open dialogue as stipulated by Olympic Agenda 2020 and as is being practiced inside the IOC where we are openly discussing and preparing all the discussions and decisions with the representatives of the international federations,” said Bach.
“There the international federations have two seats in the IOC Executive Board and whenever you have a question, because you said you were surprised by some of the decisions, I can only offer that you speak with the representatives of the international federations in the IOC Executive Board and they can fully inform you and advise you what is going on.
“And then you will learn that in the IOC there is an open dialogue, not only among the Members of the IOC EB but we also have as some of you may remember open discussions in the IOC Session in the presence of everybody.”
In his speech, Vizer had accused the IOC of a lack of transparency.
“It was about one year ago here in Sochi when we had such a Session where all the questions by all the stakeholders were openly discussed,” said Bach. “Afterwards many of you contributed to this Olympic Agenda 2020. We received around 40,000 submissions and I thank you all for these contributions.
“In fact nobody who wanted to listen, and nobody who wanted to hear, and nobody who wanted to understand, and nobody who wanted to have some sort of good will, could have missed this discussion and could be surprised by any of the decisions we are taking, including the Olympic channel, which was mentioned here.”
Vizer also said the launch of the Olympic TV channel had not been developed in a transparent manner.
“About the Olympic channel, you could have already read about it in my brochure for campaigning to become IOC President about two and a half years ago,” Bach responded.
“This is not to mention the first time I proposed it was back in 1994, but for this you are way too young to have followed, this is only for elderly people like me to have some nostalgic feeling to come back to this.
“And this Olympic channel is an offer to you and has been discussed again with the international federations and has been discussed with the National Olympic Committees (NOCs) who play an extremely important role.”
The IFs, NOCs and national federations cannot be considered in isolation, Bach said.
“It is just not right to create a discrepancy between the Olympic Movement, the NOCs and the National Federations. Because they are your members, they are your constituents and at the same time they are the constituents of the NOCs.”
Like all the international federations, SportAccord is recognized by the IOC.
“As an IOC recognized federation you are a full member of this Olympic Movement and you have of course access to the Olympic channel,” said Bach.
“This is why are offering you workshops here for you to discuss how this can be done in the very best way and how you can really tap this great potential and how you can ensure that your sport and athletes are enjoying worldwide presence through this channel and how in this way you can grow your sport and make it more popular. And you can promote the values we all share.”
Bach raised further points in his speech, which ran on for longer than the five minutes he had been allocated.
“I was invited to give a five-minute welcome speech but I’ve been a little bit longer as I had a lot to tell you after this friendly welcome I enjoyed here.”
Addressing the audience primarily made up of international sports federations, he said “Our doors are open to each and every one of you. We are making this offer of cooperation and support to each and every one of you. I thank you for having taken it already in the last one year and a half and having contributed to this effort of open dialogue and concerted action within the sport movement.”
Tag: SportAccord
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IOC president Bach ripostes to SportAccord president Vizer
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SportAccord president slams IOC over events
Marius Vizer, the president of SportAccord, the umbrella group of international sports federations, has directly criticised IOC president Thomas Bach and his programme of reform, Agenda 2020.
Agenda 2020 was unanimously approved by IOC members in December 2014, but Vizer said the reforms are not in the interests of sports and international federations.
He criticized the IOC’s decision to launch the new Olympic TV channel, which he said was taken without consultation or transparency.
Speaking at SportAccord Convention in Sochi on Monday, Vizer also complained that the IOC is preventing the launch of new multi-sports Games event.
“After becoming SportAccord President, I always tried to develop a constructive collaboration with the IOC and with President Bach. A collaboration based on respect towards the Olympic Movement, its members and the values in which I believe. Unfortunately, it never became reality,” Vizer said.
“I made a number of proposals in favour and for the benefit of IFs and SportAccord but we have never received a positive reaction. Mr. President, stop blocking the SportAccord strategy in its mission to identify and organize conventions and multi-sport games.
“Do not try to create a theory around which sports are and are not eligible for multi-sport games. Do not try to impose upon the organizers of SportAccord events guidelines on how to distribute funds generated and earned by ourselves. Do not interfere in the autonomy of the sport organizations.”
The primary feature of Agenda 2020 is its reform of the bidding procedure for Olympic Games, which has been changed to reduce the cost of bidding to make it more appealing to cities.
One of the changes brought in was to prevent bidding cities from presenting at SportAccord Convention. “The voting for potential host cities of the Olympic Games is compromised,” said Vizer.
“Key stakeholders are excluded from making informed decisions when selecting Olympic host cities: the bid cities cannot present their candidatures at SportAccord Convention to all stakeholders, IOC members cannot visit bid cities and during the IOC Session, when the vote takes place, IF presidents – who are organizers of the Olympic Games, are obliged to leave the room.”
Vizer said the interests of the international federations (IFs), which SportAccord represents, were not properly addressed.
“The Agenda 2020 hardly brings any real benefit to sport, to IFs, or athletes. It did not bring about more clear criteria, rules and principles,” he said.
Vizer singled out recommendations 9 and 10 of Agenda 2020 as leading to “a destabilizing of the Olympic sports”.
Recommendation 9 manages the scale of the Summer Olympic Games by limiting accreditations to 10,500 athletes competing in 310 events, and the winter Games to 2,900 athletes and 100 events.
Recommendation 10 sets out to structure the Olympic programme around events rather than sports. The IFs are to be involved in regular reviews of the programme and organising committees will be able to suggest adding one or more sports to the programme, but the IOC retains ultimate decision making power over which sports and IFs to include in the programme.
“We must protect the Olympic sports and disciplines currently in the Olympic programme and at the same time we must encourage and support the new sports and disciplines who want to join,” said Vizer.
He also described recommendation 19, to launch an Olympic TV channel as “very surprising”.
“The IOC Members voted in December 2014, in the IOC Session, unilaterally, without a clear business plan, a commercialization plan and project, to reduce the dividends to International Federations in order to establish the Olympic channel. Leaving from the premise that the Olympic Movement has the assets, any business project in the world needs a business plan, investors, professional partners, breakeven points, strategy, consultation with stakeholders – International Federations and to generate a benefit for all stakeholders. Only after the decision it appears that a plan is in process.
“At the same time, the cost of more than 450 million dollars to establish a digital channel seems exaggerated. Do consult us as stakeholders of the Olympic Movement regarding all the proposals, contracts and partnerships that are being signed and make them transparent!”
Vizer took over as president of SportAccord in May 2013, before which he was president of the International Judo Federation. He is faces no challenger in the presidential election due to take place at the SportAccord Convention.
Read the full transcript of the speech here. -
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.
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SportAccord president’s views are not ours, say Olympic IFs
The leaders of 17 international Olympic sports federations have signed a letter saying statements made by SportAccord president Marius Vizer yesterday do not represent their views.
The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF) and World Archery went so far as announce that they are leaving SportAccord.
In his opening speech at SportAccord Convention in Sochi on Monday, Vizer criticised the IOC for not acting in the interests of sports federations. IOC president Thomas Bach then denounced this criticism and the leaders of 17 Olympic sports federations have been quick to rally behind him.
The presidents of the international federations for sports including swimming (FINA), modern pentathlon (UIPM), triathlon (ITU), archery (WA), equestrian (FIE), football (FIFA), badminton (BWF), athletics (IAAF), shooting (ISSF) and hockey (FIH), cycling (UCI), volleyball (FIV), World Rugby and World Archery co-signed the letter which stated that Vizer’s views do not represent those of international federations.
“We the undersigned members of the SportAccord Association are expressing to the SportAccord leadership our disagreement on the opinions expressed this morning by the SportAccord president during the opening speech, which do not reflect the views of the international federations,” the letter said.
“We also express our strong support to the International Olympic Committee and to the Olympic Agenda 2020, which has been adopted under the leadership of the IOC president Thomas Bach in consultation and agreement with all the international federations.”
The signatories, from just under half of all the 35 Olympic sport federations, represent some of the most influential names in world sports, including Sepp Blatter, president of FIFA and IOC member; Ugur Erdener, president of World Archery and an IOC board member; Bernard Lapasset, the president of World Rugby who ran against Vizer for SportAccord presidency in 2013; and Lamine Diack, president of IAAF.
In a letter sent to Vizer yesterday, the secretary general of World Archery, Tom Dielen said: “We hereby declare that the World Archery Executive Committee based on what happened this morning at the General Assembly took the decision to suspend our membership of Sportaccord until further notice with immediate effect.
“We will put this on the agenda of our next Executive Board in July 2015 for a final “decision.
“We will discuss with Sportaccord – DFSU unit on what this means with our current contract but in the interest of both organisations, we suggest that the contract is ended at the end of this year.”
Amid the turmoil, Vizer was re-elected unopposed as president of SportAccord. In an address to the SportAccord Convention, Russian president Vladimir Putin congratulated Vizer, saying “Russia has worked very well with SportAccord and we are happy that the election has taken place in our sports capital.
“Sochi has given us the platform to organize big events and exhibitions. I hope that you will have a chance to enjoy all that is on offer,” president Putin told delegates.”
In a call to heal the rift between the IOC and SportAccord, Putin said: “Let me emphasise that the support of SportAccord and IOC means a lot to us. We will continue to work together and promote peace and sport. I am convinced that the sports movement should be united and not divided by contradictions.”
It was also confirmed that the SportAccord Convention will take place again in Sochi next year. Vizer said “I thank all stakeholders for participating in the Convention this year. Next year we hope to organise logistics better with chartered flights for participants from European destinations.” -
Wrestling and taekwondo suspend SportAccord membership
Wrestling and taekwondo and wrestling have joined five other Olympic sports in suspending their membership of SportAccord, amid tension between the umbrella organisation for sports federations and the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Taekwondo has also pulled out of SportAccord’s World Combat Games after a unanimous vote by the council of the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF).
“Taekwondo is more than a sport; it is a philosophy,” said WTF president Chungwon Choue at the federation’s general assembly on Monday.
“It is a philosophy based on self-discipline, integrity and respect and at the WTF we believe we have an obligation to stay true to these values.
“It is with regret that taekwondo will not participate in the World Combat Games.
“However, we will continue to promote taekwondo and the Olympic values around the world and develop our sport for our athletes and our millions of fans worldwide.”
At the WTF assembly, IOC sports director Kit McConnell gave a presentation about Olympic Agenda 2020 and taekwondo within the Olympic Movement.
The Kosovo Taekwondo Federation was also granted full WTF membershipn at the assembly.
United Worldwide Wrestling (UWW), the international federation for wrestling, said it has also suspended its membership of SportAccord due to relations with the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF).
“Our decision, which is based on our full commitment to the Olympic Movement and its leadership, implies that for the time being, United World Wrestling shall refrain to participate in the activities and games organised by SportAccord, until the relations with ASOIF has improved to the latter’s satisfaction,” said UWW president Nenad Lalovic.
UWW and WTF join the international federations for archery, athletics, boxing, canoeing, shooting in withdrawing their membership of SportAccord in the current climate.
The moves follow SportAccord president Marius Vizer’s public criticism of the IOC at the SportAccord Convention.
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ASOIF president brands SportAccord redundant and confusing
The Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) president Francesco Ricci Bitti on Monday told SportAccord – the union of federations for both Olympic and non-Olympic sports – that it is not necessary for Olympic sports.
According to a report by Olympic news site Around the Rings, Ricci Bitti wrote to SportAccord president Marius Vizer and ASOIF’s members on Monday, describing SportAccord as “redundant and confusing” and confirming that ASOIF will suspend its participation in ASOIF meetings.
The move is a reaction to Vizer’s outspoken verbal attack on the International Olympic Committee at SportAccord Convention in April.
Since then, nine international federations have suspended their association with SportAccord, with the International Triathlon Union the latest to do so.
“If we could find a positive side to what happened in Sochi, it is that you have triggered a clarification process that was both necessary and long overdue regarding the relationship between our associations vis-a-vis our common members,” Ricci Bitti told Vizer in the letter.
The letter goes on to make it clear that ASOIF members do not need SportAccord membership.
“What has never been felt necessary or desirable by the preponderance of our association is for there to be an additional ‘umbrella’ organisation that pretends to speak, often without consultation, on behalf of our members collectively.
“To put it plainly, the reality is that the concept of a second collective umbrella organisation is considered redundant and confusing and unwanted by our membership.”
ASOIF will continue to work with other groups of international federations, the letter says, “because we acknowledge a need for all of us to work together in some specific activities that can bring added value such as the SportAccord Convention where ASOIF, as a major shareholder, is ready to play its full part.”
Ricci Bitti’s letter also asks SportAccord Convention, which is a distinct organisation to SportAccord, “to confirm that it will respect the role of the shareholders by following principles of good governance including their participation in the decision-making process through appropriate engagement and consultation.”
ASOIF will no longer participate in the SportAccord Council, Ricci Bitti said, withdrawing the participation of its two members “pending a full formal review leading to clarification and agreement on the future role, mission and constitution of SportAccord.”
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ASOIF stands by its letter as SportAccord seeks unity
As relations between SportAccord and Olympic sports federations continue to deteriorate, SportAccord’s president Marius Vizer has requested meetings with the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) and the president of the International Olympic Committee, Dr. Thomas Bach.
The meeting requests are a response to a letter from ASOIF president Francesco Ricci Bitti sent Vizer yesterday, in which he said ASOIF was suspending relations because SportAccord is not necessary for Olympic sports.
“In order to define the way forward and relieve pressure from the IFs, I have decided to confirm meeting dates with ASOIF and have launched a meeting proposal with President Bach, a meeting which I believe needs to be held for the benefit and the unity of the Sports Movement,” Vizer said in a statement.
HOST CITY contacted ASOIF’s director Andrew Ryan, who confirmed that a meeting with Vizer is being considered.
“We have had a response proposing dates; we’ve got to now see which dates we can find time to get together,” Ryan told HOST CITY.
“We suspended our relations with them and now we have to sit together and discuss what the future holds.
“The letter makes the ASOIF position very clear; we can’t in any way make it more clear. At the moment there’s nothing more to say. Everything that needs to be said was put in the letter yesterday.”
Whether IOC president Bach will want to meet with Vizer, who criticised him publicly a month ago at SportAccord Convention in Sochi, remains to be seen.
“We read Mr. Vizer’s comments and press release in the media. The IOC President has responded directly to this letter before making any public comment,” and IOC spokesperson told HOST CITY.
In his statement, Vizer said “I look forward to open and honest discussions which are for the benefit of sport. I hope to have positive discussions which will lead to tangible solutions.”
Since SportAccord Convention, ten summer Olympic sports federations and their primary representative body, ASOIF, have suspended their engagement with SportAccord.
Despite the exodus of Olympic sports federations, Vizer said the number of applications for SportAccord membership has actually increased over the last month.
SportAccord is the union of Olympic and non-Olympic international federations.
“SportAccord continues and will continue to provide services to empower the International Federations and to defend their interests,” Vizer said.
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IOC suspends recognition of SportAccord
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) suspended its recognition of SportAccord on Sunday, saying it is ready to discuss restructured representation with the organisation’s stakeholders.
The IOC had recognised and worked with SportAccord, the “umbrella group” for Olympic and non-Olympic sports federations, for many years.
Relationships between the two organisations have deteriorated since SportAccord president Marius’ Vizer’s criticism of IOC president Thomas Bach’s Agenda 2020 programme of reform at SportAccord Convention in April.
Many international federations (IFs) of Olympic and non-Olympic sports have since left SportAccord.
Despite Vizer’s resignation last week, the IOC has withdrawn its recognition of SportAccord.
“The IOC will continue its ongoing and direct relationship with the IFs and other members of the Olympic Movement,” the IOC said in a statement issued during an executive board meeting in Lausanne.
“We encourage and support them in all the initiatives being taken to restructure their representation following the serious internal problems of SportAccord.”
“We have been in contact with many of the IFs and their representative bodies in the last days and we have been advised that they want to take some measures in this respect.
“We would like to invite the representatives of different groups to further discuss this issue and to come to an agreement among all stakeholders.
“We will first wait for their deliberations and consultations to conclude, and we are ready to support them and ready to invite the representatives of the different groups, including the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) and the Association of International Olympic Winter Sports Federations (AIOWF), the Association of Recognised International Sports Federations (ARISF), the Alliance of Independent Members of Sport Accord (AIMS) and the International World Games Association (IWGA), to discuss the restructuring of their agreement for a common approach.”
SportAccord has historically provided support to IFs to ensure the integrity of their sports – a role that the IOC will take up directly during SportAccord’s current circumstances.
“In the meantime, we do not want the clean athletes to suffer in any way from this vacuum. We are offering the IFs concerned all the services and advice in the fight against doping which have been offered so far by SportAccord and financed by the IOC and WADA.
“We will be making the same offer with regard to good governance as well as on match-fixing and related corruption, and the IOC is ready to provide this support directly. We must ensure that there is not a vacuum during this ongoing process.
“Like many members of SportAccord, we are suspending our recognition and we will withhold our funding until these questions are answered and an agreement between the stakeholders has been reached.
“We are awaiting the outcome of the consultations and, when the time is right, we would like to invite these stakeholders here to discuss how services can best be provided in the future to the above-mentioned organisations.”
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SportAccord Convention opens Host City application process for 2017 and 2018
With Lausanne recently confirmed as the location for the next SportAccord Convention, set to take place 17-22 April 2016, the organisation has now officially opened the application process for future host cities of the Convention in 2017 and 2018.
Held in a different city every year, the annual SportAccord Convention is a unique opportunity for key decision-makers from sport and industry to meet, network, and strategically shape global, regional and national agendas. As the premier event connecting sport and industry, approximately 90% of the participants are high-profile leaders, who seek to further the development of sport in an intimate and exclusive environment. In turn, this garners much attention and places cities firmly in the spotlight.
Speaking about the host city opportunity, Mr. Nis Hatt, Managing Director, SportAccord Convention commented:
“The SportAccord Convention is an important event in the sporting calendar for industry, International Sport Federations and organisations worldwide, so the earlier we start the bid process for the involvement of future cities, the better. The Convention provides an ideal platform to get business done – much is achieved in a short space of time – and for many organisations, the same opportunities may not present themselves as easily throughout the year.” Hatt went on to say:
“We are inviting cities to apply to become a host city in 2017 or 2018, and take advantage of the opportunities gained by being involved in this unique event”.
Further information can be found on the website at https://www.sportaccordconvention.com/about/bid-city-information-2017-an… includes the Bid City Application Information Pack, the Host City Bidding and Selection Process, as well as the Bid City Application Form.
The place Where Sport Meets, the SportAccord Convention is an exclusive 6-day event and attended by 2000 delegates. It is host to annual general meetings, a themed conference including City Forum, LawAccord and MediaAccord, as well as a Plenary Conference. An Exhibition is also held within the Official Programme and is represented by industries, sport organisations, government offices, cities, event services, media, and many more. International Sport Federations also take part in the Sports Demo Zone, and the Convention additionally provides a strong cultural and social programme for all participants.
Cities interested in bidding to host the Convention in 2017 or 2018 should contact Nis Hatt, Managing Director, SportAccord Convention, nis.hatt@sportaccordconvention.com to register their interest by Thursday, 28 January 2016.
For media enquiries, please email Jenny Edmondson, Media Relations Officer:
jenny.edmondson@sportaccordconvention.com
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Lausanne confirmed as Host City for SportAccord Convention 2016
SportAccord Convention is pleased to announce Lausanne as Host City for the 2016 Convention. Returning to the Home of International Sport, the Convention will take place from 17-22 April 2016 at the Swiss Tech Convention Centre which offers state-of-the-art congress facilities.
On becoming Host City to the next SportAccord Convention, Mr. Marc Vuilleumier, Lausanne’s Municipal Councillor in charge of Sport commented: “What a wonderful way to close an exceptional year for the City of Lausanne. 2015 marked the IOC’s Centenary in our city, and last July we became the host of the 2020 Winter Youth Olympic Games. The SportAccord Convention will once again witness the entire world of sport gather here, for the first time since we hosted the second Convention in 2004. Lausanne truly is the “Olympic Capital”, today more than ever!”
With close to 50 sports organisations based in Lausanne and the surrounding region of the Canton of Vaud, including many international sport federations, the city is an idyllic location for this premier event. On hearing the news, Thomas Bach, President, International Olympic Committee (IOC) said: “What better place could SportAccord Convention have chosen to hold its annual event than Lausanne, a city which is made for sport. For a century now, Lausanne has been the IOC’s home. More than thirty international sports federations and sports organisations have also found in Lausanne the ideal setting to develop and strengthen the place of sport in society.”
Held in a different city every year, the annual SportAccord Convention is a unique opportunity for key decision-makers from sport and industry to meet, network, and strategically shape global, regional and national agendas. An exclusive 6-day event comprising 2000 delegates, the Convention is host to annual general meetings of governing bodies, and once again, will welcome a delegation from the International Olympic Committee.
Now in its 14th edition, Francesco Ricci Bitti, President, ASOIF and SportAccord Convention remarked: “We are delighted that Lausanne has taken up the baton once more and will be hosting the next SportAccord Convention. As a major event in the international sporting calendar, Lausanne provides a favourable location for sport and business leaders to meet, given its strong commitment to sport and industry. With the warm hospitality shown to visitors and delegates in 2004, we can expect to deliver a Convention that meets the needs of our Stakeholders, Partners and delegates.”
The Convention comprises: a themed conference including City Forum, LawAccord and MediaAccord, as well as a plenary conference; an exhibition represented by industries, sport organisations, government offices, cities, event services, media, and many more; a Sports Demo Zone; as well as a social and cultural programme.
For further information on the benefits of attending the SportAccord Convention, visit: www.sportaccordconvention.com
For media enquiries, please email Jenny Edmondson, Media Relations Officer: Jenny.edmondson@sportaccordconvention.com