Since the original Olympics Games in Ancient Greece, tournament format has remained the same: Round-Robin Groups and Direct Elimination (play-offs). The usage of these formats has caused several issues that organisers have failed to solve. 

One major issue is flexibility in the number of participants and matches. Then there is the existence of low-value or “dead” matches, where teams have nothing to play for because they've already qualified for the next round or have been eliminated. 

Match-fixing is another problem. In London 2012 for instance, eight female badminton players were disqualified from the tournament due to their attempts to lose their matches on purpose to get an "easier" rival in the next round.

Losing or drawing a match on purpose for the benefit of both sides is something that we see in almost every big tournament. In an attempt to address this issue, matches on the last day of group stages are played simultaneously in many big tournaments, such as the UEFA European Championship and FIFA World Cup. This precautionary move, which followed the "Disgrace of Gijon" in the 1982 FIFA World Cup, can be devastating for fans, sponsors and broadcasters and creates further problems.

Having the last two matches of a group played simultaneously means that two stadiums must be used for each group, so teams must travel from one city to another. In a group of four teams the only way to make teams have the same amount of travels, to ensure fairness, is by making all teams travel twice – that is, playing the first match in one stadium, the second in another and a third stadium for the third match. Having all teams travel once is impossible mathematically, and zero travel is not an option when staging matches simultaneously. 

Travelling twice during the group stage can involve a large amount of air travel. For instance, In 2014 FIFA World Cup the United States national team had to travel from Natal to Manaus and then to Recife, a total distance of nearly 6,000 miles.

MatchVision, a company based in Chile, has the solution for this and the associated issue of flexibility in the number of participants in a tournament. In 2003, FIFA expressed an interest in raising the number of participants in the World Cup to 36, but declared it impossible as they couldn't find a fair and simple way to select 16 teams advancing to the Round of 16.

After hearing that declaration, Leandro Shara, MatchVision President and founder, knew he had the solution for it – the POT System ©. Under the POT System © there are no groups; instead, the teams are divided into POTs, depending on the number of matches of the first round. 

For instance, a FIFA World Cup with 36 teams would have three POTs, each one containing 12 teams, based on ranking – POT A would have the strongest teams, POT B the medium teams, and POT C the emerging teams. Each team, no matter which POT it is placed in, would play three matches, one against a team from POT A, one against a team from POT B, and one against a team from POT C. For instance, Germany would meet Argentina from POT A, Croatia from POT B and Jordan from POT C. On the other hand, Jordan from POT C would meet Germany (A), as well as Uruguay (B) and Costa-Rica (C).

The POTs are not groups, instead we will have one General Standing of the 36 teams, and after three match days the best 16 would qualify to the next round, fair and simple. Moreover, in the Round of 16 the 1st would face the 16th, the 2nd would face the 15th, etc. That means that teams would want to finish as high as possible to have an "easier" rival in the next match. 

This will bring a revolution in the strategy of winning tournaments:  the best way would always be, for the first time, to win all matches. It also kills the chances of score manipulations, as teams would not depend just on their match and one additional match (in a four-team group), but on their match and results from the other 17 matches.

Eliminating the possibility of score manipulation would allow all matches in the first round to be played at different times, so spectators around the world could watch all matches live. Additionally, we can ensure that all teams travel exactly once in the first stage and travel the shortest distance from their “home" base. This means that if each host city has another host city within 500 miles or less, than maximum travel for a team would be 500 miles, even if host cities are spread over an entire continent.

The opportunities don't stop there. MatchVision has developed more than 30 solutions giving flexibility to tournaments. So for instance, the Olympic Volleyball competition could have 10 teams instead of 12, with teams still playing five matches in the first round, or to increase the number of teams in the Badminton tournament from 16 to 18, a 12 per cent increase, instead of the usual 50 per cent or 100 per cent increase caused by the rigidity of Groups and Play-Offs formats.

The inflexibility of the traditional tournament formats has created absurd situations, like the ATP World Tour Finals, which is played by eight players, even though the entire world of tennis, including the ATP website itself, talks always about TOP-10. To have a clearer picture of things, the phrase TOP-10 is googled 25 times more than TOP-8. The only reason just 8 players enter the O2 Arena is due to format restrictions, and thus we adjust the reality to the format.

It is time to turn that upside down and adjust format to reality, using tournament formats developed in the 21st century. The format revolution is coming.

Dear friends of football, 

FIFA has faced unprecedented difficulties this year in a crisis that has shaken global football governance to its core. We are now moving through a period of necessary change to protect the future of our organisation. 

We maintain that the majority of those working in football governance do so in the right way and for the right reasons, but it has become clear that root-and-branch reform is the only way to deter future wrongdoing and to restore faith in FIFA. For these reasons, this year and the immediate years to come will be among the most important for FIFA since it was founded in 1904. 

A new FIFA President will be elected at the Congress in February, offering the opportunity to start a new chapter. It is vital to recognise that this will be only the beginning. We will need to work hard together over the coming years to win back the trust and respect of fans, players, commercial affiliates and all the many millions of participants who make football the world’s most popular sport. 

We are confident that the new reform measures approved by the FIFA Executive Committee in December, alongside the separate actions of the Swiss and US authorities, will lay the foundations for a stronger, more transparent and more accountable and more ethical governing body of football. 

We call on all of FIFA’s member associations to fully support, implement and abide by the new reforms. The future of FIFA and the global development of football depend on our full commitment to embracing a change in culture from top to bottom, through the following key reform points: 

• A clear separation of powers between the political side of global football and the day-to-day financial and business operations of FIFA, such as organising competitions and football development investments, will help to protect our integrity and avoid conflicts of interest. All financial transactions will be monitored by a fully independent body. 

• Member associations must mirror the above structure and comply with principles of good governance, such as establishing independent judicial bodies. They will also be accountable for the conduct of their entire team and any third parties that they work with. 

• Strict term limits for senior positions within FIFA of three four-year terms will ensure that no single person can wield too much power or influence. 

• An explicit commitment in the FIFA Statutes to develop women’s football and to promote the full participation of women at all levels of football governance, including a minimum of one female representative from each region in the new FIFA Council. 

• Central integrity checks by an independent body for all appointments to FIFA bodies and senior management. 

• Members of the new FIFA Council must be elected by the member associations from each respective region under new FIFA governance regulations and monitored by the new, independent FIFA Review Committee. 

• More independent and properly qualified members of key committees such as finance, development, governance and compliance to provide a stronger layer of neutrality and scrutiny. 

• More involvement from the football community (players, clubs, leagues, member associations, etc.) in decision making. 

• A statutory commitment by FIFA to uphold and protect internationally recognised human rights in all its activities. 

There may be further challenges ahead, and it will take time for these reforms to take effect, but our resolve to rebuild FIFA for the better remains steadfast. Our aim is to establish a secure, professional and fully accountable sports organisation by the time of the 2018 FIFA World Cup™ in Russia. 

We are confident that this is a realistic target, and we look forward to returning our full focus to FIFA’s primary mission of promoting and developing football everywhere, and for all. 

The hundreds of millions of fans, players, coaches and others dedicated to football around the world deserve nothing less from those of us with the incredible responsibility and privilege of governing and guiding global football. 

Yours faithfully, 

Issa Hayatou Acting FIFA President

Markus Kattner Acting FIFA Secretary General 

“It’s important to draw a distinction where you actually can use mediation or an alternative dispute resolution method other than litigation. 

“Competition rules and doping offences are not areas where you can mediate, negotiate and so on; these have clear rules and they have to be respected for the integrity of the sport. 

“What you do need, when it comes to competition rules, is a solid internal procedure to have the possibility to appeal to a higher instance than the competition jury – they can make mistakes, so that needs to be verifiable.

“And then you also need the commitment that there will be an appeal possibility to the Centre for Arbitration of Sport (CAS), as the overall instance to check externally that your internal regulatory procedures are working in the correct way.

“From my perspective, as far as anti-doping offences are concerned, it’s a similar situation: an International Federation has to uphold the WADA rules. Then you have to defend those in an internal doping panel procedure and if there is an appeal, again can be appealed externally to CAS; that’s what is given in the code. 

“Then the areas where we have a certain experience where there could be room for negotiation concerns disputes – we’ve had dealings in two particular areas. One has been with a couple of serious accidents that have taken place in international competitions, which are organised under the FIS rules, that are overseen by the technical delegate appointed for the assignment by FIS. 

“Then there have been out of court discussions and negotiations, of course together with the insurance company who plays an important role there. In the one case we found a very good solution that involved supporting a foundation set up by the family in the athlete’s memory dedicated to supporting youngsters in his sport and improving safety measures. 

“The other area has been with non-competition regulations: interpretation of regulations connected to commercial branding and visibility; is a manufacturer a manufacturer or is it a commercial entity; what’s allowed and what isn’t allowed? That is also quite closely connected to Olympic rules.”

This exclusive interview was conducted by HOST CITY at LawAccord during the 2016 SportAccord Convention

Appointing a new president and amending statutes are important steps for FIFA but a change of culture will be essential for significant transformation, the independent chairman of the 2016 FIFA reform committee Dr François Carrard told HOST CITY.

“By passing the reform of its statutes at the Congress in February in Zurich, I think FIFA has achieved a very important step towards substantial reform. In my opinion, together with the election of the new president, this it is to be considered as the starting point of a reform process,” Carrard told HOST CITY at SportAccord Convention in Lausanne.

“But I think it’s a starting point also for what is essential in my opinion, which is a change of culture.”

Carrard also spoke on a panel with FIS Secretary General Sarah Lewis at the LawAccord conference during SportAccord Convention, where he shared his experiences of working with FIFA throughout criminal investigations. 

“I have been observing from inside in the last months the ‘schizophrenic’ work of the various institutions involved in the FIFA scandals. There were the internal institutions – I started working under president Blatter, when I wanted to report to him the police were there, then I had Ayatou, then I finished with Infantino.”

HOST CITY asked Carrard if he believed FIFA members had voted the right way in electing UEFA secretary general Gianni Infantino as president. 

“As independent chairman I haven’t been involved deeply in FIFA organisational structures before, but my personal experience of president Infantino is such that he is the right man,” he told HOST CITY.

“I think with a new leadership, with adjusted statutes, the path is now there to achieve but any reform process takes time. 

“You cannot expect that in a couple of months you solve everything. But at least now the door is open for progress.”

[Source: IOC)] IOC Honorary Members Beatrice Allen, Sir Craig Reedie and Ung Chang, as well as Andrzej Kraśnicki, the former President of the National Olympic Committee of Poland, were today awarded Olympic Orders in a ceremony held during the 141^st IOC Session in Mumbai, India. All awardees were introduced by HSH Princess Nora of Liechtenstein, Delegate Member for Protocol.

Beatrice Allen, from Gambia, was an IOC Member from 2006 to 2020. An expert in international development and gender issues, Mrs Allen enjoyed a long and storied career in her native Gambia as well as internationally within the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Mrs Allen also occupied numerous positions within sporting institutions in Gambia as well as being a member of several IOC Commissions.

Presenting her with the Olympic Order, IOC President Thomas Bach said: “You have dedicated your life to making the world a better place through sport and to improving the lives of our fellow human beings.” Emphasising Mrs Allen’s role as a tireless advocate for gender equality, President Bach continued: “Promoting women in and through sport has been a central theme throughout your career. Whether as the Head of the Gambia Softball Association, as Chair of the ANOCA Women and Sports Commission, whether as Vice President of the World Baseball Softball Confederation or as President of the Gambian NOC – you have made it your mission to advance the role of women on and off the field of play. For over a decade, the IOC has been able to count on your great experience, especially the many IOC Commissions where you actively contributed with all your expertise, knowledge and insight. With your vision, your energy and exceptional personality, you have made your mark in the Olympic Movement and for this we will always be grateful.”

Sir Craig Reedie joined the IOC membership in 1994. A keen sportsman, Sir Craig began his sporting career as a national and international badminton player. After retiring from competitive sport, he went on to make a name for himself as a leading sports administrator. His early foray into sports administration was within his own sport as Chair the Scottish Badminton Union. He subsequently rose to become President of the International Badminton Federation, where he led the successful campaign to include badminton on the Olympic programme. He chaired the British Olympic Association for over a decade, during which he played a key role in London's successful bid for the Olympic Games 2012. He was a key figure in the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

Praising Sir Craig’s contribution to the IOC and the Olympic Movement, President Bach explained: “He joined the IOC in 1994, bringing his expertise to bear in numerous IOC Commissions, and later on as well as a member of the IOC Executive Board and IOC Vice-President.” Addressing him directly, President Bach said: “Dear Craig, as the third President of the World Anti-Doping Agency, you had to go through some of the most difficult periods of this organisation. But with all your diplomatic skills, your good sense of humour and your openness, you finally managed to navigate the rough waters and finally steadied the ship.”

Both Mrs Allen and Sir Craig should have received their Olympic Orders in 2021 and 2022 respectively, however with the global pandemic and the associated restrictions, the IOC chose to wait to award them for a time when it was possible to celebrate them in person among friends and colleagues.

A third Olympic order was awarded IOC Honorary Member Ung Chang of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), who joined the ceremony by video link. In his absence, the Order was collected by his son, John Chang.

Addressing the assembled audience, President Bach explained: “For decades, Ung Chang has been a driving force to promote the role of sport in the Democratic Peoples’ Republic of Korea. [He] was always the bridge connecting the Olympic Movement with the Olympic community in the DPRK. Throughout his illustrious career in sport, whether at the National Olympic Committee, at the Olympic Council of Asia, as IOC Member and as an active member of many IOC Commissions, Ung Chang was above all a trusted advisor, who always built bridges of friendship and understanding through sport and its values. He continues to do so today even as IOC Honorary Member, ensuring that the DPRK athletes will always be a part our Olympic community.”

Addressing Mr Chang directly, President Bach said: “My dear friend, even before my election as IOC President, I could always turn to you for your advice and your wisdom. This trustful connection even deepened, and this proved to be invaluable in addressing the often complex challenges that we faced together.” He continued: “Ahead of the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018, you again played an essential role when it came to the negotiations about the participation of the NOC of the DPRK in PyeongChang. Again, you were the bridge connecting the DPRK to the wider Olympic Movement in the discussions leading to the Lausanne Declaration – the agreement that made the participation of the athletes of the DPRK in PyeongChang possible. […] you made a great contribution which ultimately led to the unforgettable Opening Ceremony, when the athletes from the Republic of Korea and the DPRK marched together as one team behind one flag, the Korean Unification Flag, sending a powerful message of peace to the world. For this, we will always be grateful to you.”

The final Olympic Order of the Session was awarded to Mr Andrzej Kraśnicki, the former President of the National Olympic Committee of Poland. 

Describing Mr Kraśnicki’s contribution to sport, President Bach said: “The strong standing of Polish sport in the world today is the result of a long journey of modernisation. The person who took this modernisation to new heights is Andrzej Kraśnicki – a highly respected leader. Highly respected by the athletes, the Olympic community in Poland but also highly respected by the world of politics, business and culture in his country. He put all these great relationships at the service of sport in his country. It was under his leadership – and thanks to the respect that he also enjoyed at the European level – that the European Games were awarded to Poland. As IOC President, I am very grateful that he strengthened the Olympic Movement in Poland – always defending and promoting the autonomy of sport – and for being such a reliable partner of the IOC.”

Addressing Mr Kraśnicki directly, President Bach said: “I always knew that you were a person with a big heart, which you always showed to me and to so many of your friends. But it was during the difficult times that your big heart and especially your compassionate human side shone most brightly. Your humanity was plain for all to see when the Polish NOC under your leadership received countless athletes and members of the Ukrainian Olympic community who were fleeing their county after the Russian invasion. In this time of their greatest need, you offered shelter and assistance, you opened the facilities of Polish sport to them. You stood by their side in their darkest hour and it is acts of solidarity like these why we all admire you. Not only as a great sports leader but as a true humanitarian. You really have made the world a better place through sport, my dear friend.”

Among the other personalities honoured during the Session were Mr Mamadou Ndiaye of Senegal, who was elected to the membership in 2015. Although he is stepping down at the end of 2023, Mr Ndiaye will remain a member of the IOC Commission for the Coordination of the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad Paris 2024 and will be closely involved in the 4^th Summer Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026.

The Olympic Order is the highest award of the IOC, given for distinguished contributions to the Olympic Movement.

Ed: Sir Craig Reedie GBE is the long-standing chairman of Host City, having spoken at every edition since its launch in 2014.

[Source: ITTF] On 17 October 2023, at the 141st International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session held in Mumbai, India, Petra Sörling, President of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), was elected as a Member of the IOC.   

Notably, Petra Sörling is the first President of the ITTF to ascend to the esteemed position of an IOC Member, marking a historic chapter for table tennis. With dedication and unwavering commitment, both President Sörling and the ITTF are poised to actively contribute to the Olympic Movement and the global community.  
In response to her election, Sörling expressed, “I am deeply humbled and grateful to have been elected as a member of the International Olympic Committee. This is not just an honour but also a significant responsibility that I am ready to embrace.   

“This is even more momentous as this is the first time for the International Table Tennis Federation to see its President become an IOC Member, making this a historic chapter for our sport as well. As I step into this new role, I am driven by my passion for sport. I grasp the magnitude of this role; I am committed to undertake the responsibilities it brings, and to dedicate myself every day to make a meaningful contribution to the Olympic Movement and our global community.   

“I want to express my heartfelt thanks to President Thomas Bach, to fellow members of the IOC, the IOC Executive Board, the IOC Members Election Commission, and the table tennis community for their unwavering support. Together, we will work to strengthen the Olympic Movement, promote sustainability, champion diversity, and continue to inspire the next generations with the Olympic values. Let us make the world a better place and foster positive changes with sport.”   
President Sörling's distinguished career is rich with remarkable achievements and leadership roles.  

In the realm of table tennis, she achieved a historic milestone in 2021 by becoming ITTF President, making her the first woman to attain this prestigious position. Prior to this, she served as Vice-President of ITTF from 2009 to 2013, before taking on the role of Vice-President Finance from 2013 to 2021. Outside of ITTF, Petra served as the Deputy President and Board Member of the Swedish Table Tennis Association (2003 – 2013), before serving as President of the Swedish TTA (2013-2022). 

Furthermore, she held the position of Vice-President of the European Table Tennis Union (2007-2009). These roles underscore her profound commitment to advancing the sport of table tennis. 

Her contributions to the Olympic Movement include participation in the International Olympic Academy (IOA) Young Leader Programme (2002) and her current role as a Member of the IOC Gender Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee (2022-). Beyond table tennis, Sörling contributes her expertise to the Swedish National Olympic Committee (NOC) as a Board Member since 2021. She also serves as an Executive Committee Member of the International Masters Games Association (IMGA) since 2022. In 2023, she added to her portfolio by joining the Board of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Foundation and becoming a Member of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) Council. 

Her election comes after the IOC Executive Board proposed eight new IOC Members on 8 September 2023, following the recommendation of the IOC Members Election Commission.

[Source: IOC] The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Deloitte today announced a decade-long, five-Games TOP partnership through 2032. Deloitte will serve as a Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner for the following Games: Paris 2024, the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026,  Los Angeles 2028, the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games 2030 and Brisbane 2032.

As a Worldwide Olympic Partner, Deloitte will apply its deep expertise in management and business consulting to help enhance and secure the IOC’s digital ecosystem supporting the Olympic Movement.

Deloitte and the IOC have formed a “partnership with purpose” that leverages Deloitte’s considerable business acumen to help the IOC realise the possibilities of its strategic roadmap for the future, Olympic Agenda 2020+5, and its vision to build a better world through sport. In partnership with the IOC, Deloitte will provide a global team with wide-ranging management and business consulting capabilities to deliver meaningful impact to the National Olympic Committees, billions of fans, and the thousands of athletes who make the Olympic Games possible.

Deloitte will utilise its environmental, social and governance services expertise to assist the Olympic Movement in driving progress on critical challenges identified in Olympic Agenda 2020+5 related to corporate governance, strategy, sustainability, diversity, equity and inclusion, and athlete support and well-being.

“We are living through one of the most consequential moments in history. The Olympic Movement plays a vital role in uniting the world through friendship, solidarity and fair play, and never has this been more important than now. Together, Deloitte and the IOC aspire to make an impact that matters – to strengthen, enhance and create a long-lasting and positive impact on society through the Olympic Movement,” said Punit Renjen, Deloitte Global CEO.

“We are delighted to be working with Deloitte and excited by the opportunity this partnership presents for the entire Olympic Movement. Deloitte’s initiatives to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals align with the IOC’s philosophy of further change and transformation as expressed in the IOC’s Olympic Agenda 2020+5 strategic roadmap for the future,” said IOC President Thomas Bach.

“Having worked with Deloitte for several years now, the IPC is enthusiastic to explore with Deloitte how its expertise and wide range of services can benefit the wider Paralympic Movement as we aim to use sport as a tool to drive social inclusion,” said International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons.

Enabling the transformation of the Olympic Movement

Deloitte will support the IOC with its digital transformation strategy. It will utilise its digital expertise to help advise in such areas as personalising the fan experience and enhancing digital services, connecting fans around the world and extending the appeal of the Olympic Games between editions.

Advancing the IOC’s purpose and efforts to address global challenges

As a leader in purpose-led organisational initiatives, Deloitte will bring that expertise to support and advise the IOC in the development of strategies that will help it achieve its vision of building a better world through sport.

Deloitte will work with the IOC on the development of programmes, legacy projects and playbooks on initiatives such as athlete support and mental health, diversity, equity and inclusion, sustainability and the reduction of the Games’ carbon footprint.

In recognition of the importance of good governance and transparency, as expressed in Olympic Agenda 2020+5, a “Centre of Excellence” will be developed through this partnership relating to best practices in administration and management operations for participating National Olympic Committees.

Michele Parmelee, Deloitte Global Chief People and Purpose Officer, said: “This partnership brings together two iconic global brands who share a passion for driving positive societal impact.  We see this spirit embodied in the Olympians and Paralympians who work for Deloitte and inspire us to see the possibility of what Deloitte and the IOC can accomplish together.”

Jiri Kejval, IOC Marketing Commission Chair, stated: “Deloitte’s relationship with the Olympic Movement is a clear example of how the Worldwide Olympic Partner Programme continues to attract the most renowned names in business. Deloitte’s commitment to providing world-class expertise to the Olympic Movement demonstrates the unique opportunity that the TOP Programme provides.”

This is Deloitte’s first global partnership with the IOC and is the culmination of Deloitte’s many years of support for various parties in the Olympic Movement. The new global partnership complements Deloitte’s ongoing agreement with the Olympic and Paralympic Games Los Angeles 2028, as well as with the Canadian Olympic Committee, German Olympic and Paralympic Committees, Irish Olympic Committee, Polish Olympic Committee, and United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, where Deloitte’s member firms provide support to thousands of Olympians and Paralympians.

[Source: ASOIF] The Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) today released a position paper titled “The solidarity model of organised sport in Europe and beyond - A stable platform for collaboration”, aimed at contributing to a better understanding of the role International Federations (IFs) play in the global organisation of sport, and to a more informed debate on its future.

Primarily addressed to public authorities in Europe and beyond, sport organisations and the business sector, this paper was developed against the backdrop of ongoing discussions at European level on how to best safeguard values-based sport while IFs regularly face challenges to their operations, including proceedings and lawsuits in various territories. In particular it aims to provide a proactive and constructive response to the Resolution on the key features of a European Sport Model recently adopted by the European Union’s Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council. The Resolution asks the sport movement to support the key features of a European Sport Model which reflects the worldwide solidarity model of organised sport. It also calls upon the sport world to further explore and continue ongoing discussions with all stakeholders and acknowledge the diversity of approaches and new developments across different types of sport, in line with values-based organised sport.

ASOIF President Francesco Ricci Bitti said about the new position paper: “In our ever-changing world, the relevance of sport keeps growing. Every day, new stakeholders become involved in the sport sector. That is not necessarily a bad thing, but it renders the role and activities of IFs, and the Olympic Movement at large, more complex. This situation also makes it more urgent to safeguard the values of the solidarity model of organised sport while still embracing progress and new ideas. I am convinced that the two can go hand-in-hand.”

He emphasised: “However, public authorities, sport organisations and the world of business must all work together if we want to tap the full potential of sport. Our paper aims to go beyond declarations, setting out solutions that we believe are fast, solid and sustainable.”

The document explains the role and diversity of IFs as worldwide governing bodies of their respective sports; it outlines the solidarity model of organised sport and details its key features; and it looks at other models of sport organisation, recent trends and developments which keep transforming the world of sport, providing both opportunities and challenges. The proposed framework at the end of the paper contains clear commitments on how IFs, public authorities and commercial entities can work together efficiently, expanding on the recent reflections of the European institutions and beyond.

Click here to download the document.

I was fortunate enough to produce several fantastic international conferences in 2021 with incredible speakers highlighting huge challenges and opportunities for the major events and technology regulation sectors.

The biggest challenges both sectors faced in 2021 will keep rolling through 2022. For the major events sector, recovery from the pandemic continues to be unpredictable and hugely variable from one country to another.

Big Tech continues to grow: Apple is now worth more than the GDP of all but four countries. Governments are taking different approaches to managing the size and influence of these companies and the technologies they own.

Both these challenges – the pandemic, and tech regulation – are being tackled on a national, or at best regional, level. And yet they are global challenges. Neither viruses nor technology can be fully controlled by national borders, and even if they could, would we want to live in a world where ideas and people cannot travel?

The rapid rollout of vaccines in 2021 was an incredible feat that has enabled many economies to get back on track. But many populations still have next to no immunity, and this gives Covid scope to mutate. If 2021 was the year of local recovery, 2022 must be the year of global recovery, with wealthier nations increasing their support for global vaccination programmes. The international major events sectors will be one of many to benefit from a world where Covid is managed globally.

Similarly, regulations to tackle technology came on apace throughout 2021. With various Acts moving through Washington, Brussels and Beijing, 2022 will no doubt be a big year for such legislation. But as technology transcends national borders, only a coordinated global approach to the Regulation of AI, the Internet and Data (RAID) will be truly effective in making it work best for humanity.

Perhaps the most significant event of last year was COP21 in Glasgow, tackling the biggest threat of all: climate change. Never has global alignment been more challenging and more critical. Climate change of course raises huge questions for the international events sector, and technology is playing a vital and fascinating role in the evolution of travel and the experience economy.

As overwhelming as the challenges to our industries and societies might seem, I am extremely optimistic. If there is one thing that makes humans unique, it is our ability to communicate and collaborate, and we have it in our power to apply this skill with the level of urgency required. International major events would be impossible without global governance structures – perhaps governments could learn from sports.

We look forward to more world-changing conversations at Host City and RAID events in 2022. Let’s make it a year of global recovery.

[Source: SportAccord] SportAccord will bring together political leaders and governmental decision-makers from around the world for the inaugural MinisterAccord at the SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit 2021 in Ekaterinburg, Russia.

MinisterAccord, on the afternoon of Thursday 11 November 2021, will be an exclusive gathering of Ministers from sport and tourism, designed to discuss and examine the most pressing and relevant issues for countries and regions within the international sport movement.

MinisterAccord will provide nations, leaders and ministries with a unique opportunity to work together to develop the future of sport and consider how to engage with International Sport Federations and ultimately drive growth opportunities within sport and sport tourism.

In addition, the gathering will allow for key governmental decision-makers to share best practices and explore how sport can break down barriers for the development of a healthy society and economy by inspiring people to live an active and healthy lifestyle.

MinisterAccord will feature a Welcome Address from SportAccord President Dr. Raffaele Chiulli and a Host Nation Address from Russian Federation Minister of Sport Oleg Matytsin, as well as further speeches, and an open and interactive discussion session followed by a lunch gathering.

“MinisterAccord is an exciting addition to the programme for SportAccord 2021 as it will strengthen co-operation between nations to ensure the continuing development of sport and sport tourism around the world,” SportAccord Managing Director Nis Hatt said.

“MinisterAccord will be an opportunity to build bridges for the betterment of society and sport by sharing best practices and discussing essential topics. We look forward to welcoming leaders, ministers and decision-makers to Ekaterinburg for this new and exciting initiative.”

Speaking at the recent Virtual Launch Celebration for SportAccord 2021, Russian Federation Minister of Sport Oleg Matytsin said: “Sport and government must work together. In order for us to recover stronger, we must act like players on the same team.

“There will be areas that require the skills of sports players, and other areas that require the skills of government players, especially concerning Ministers of Sport. For this reason, I am very happy to see MinisterAccord introduced to SportAccord in Ekaterinburg.”

MinisterAccord will sit alongside SportAccord’s other established conference streams, offering delegates clear signposts to specific areas of interest during a busy week of meetings and networking opportunities in Ekaterinburg, from 7-12 November 2021.

The annual World Sport & Business Summit is a six-day event attended by leaders of the global sports community. As the only global sports industry event attended by all International Sport Federations and their stakeholders, SportAccord also brings together organising committees, hosting cities and regions, governments and administrations, rights-holders, agencies and athletes, as well as top-level experts and organisations from the sports media, technology, investment, medical and legal sectors.

Registration is open for the SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit 2021 in Ekaterinburg, the 19^th edition of SportAccord’s flagship annual event. Organisations interested in becoming an official partner or exhibitor can contact SportAccord to discuss these investment opportunities by emailing sales@sportaccord.sport, with SportAccord also offering an interactive exhibition floorplan and 3-D flyover of the SportAccord 2021 exhibition space.

You can follow SportAccord’s portfolio of events via Twitter @sportaccord or keep up-to-date via LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, Flickr, VK, and Instagram.