As Pfizer and BioNTech donate vaccines to athletes and their delegations attending Tokyo 2020, Prof. Uğur Erdener, Chair of the IOC Medical and Scientific Commission highlights the wider value of vaccination globally.

“We see the importance of vaccination all around the world,” Prof. Erdener said in an IOC release. “We encourage the athletes and Games participants to take the vaccine whenever possible. Vaccination is an important tool to protect not only themselves, but also their communities.”

Prof. Erderner, who is also President of the Turkish National Olympic Committee and President of World Archery, is speaking at Host City Americas, taking place online on 29-30 June.

Following a meeting with Japanese government, the IOC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Pfizer and BioNTech to donate doses of the companies’ COVID-19 vaccine to Games participants from National Olympic and Paralympic Committees around the world.

“This donation of the vaccine is another tool in our toolbox of measures to help make the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 safe and secure for all participants, and to show solidarity with our gracious Japanese hosts,” said IOC President Thomas Bach.

“We are inviting the athletes and participating delegations of the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games to lead by example and accept the vaccine where and when possible. By taking the vaccine, they can send a powerful message that vaccination is not only about personal health, but also about solidarity and consideration of the wellbeing of others in their communities. We would like to thank Pfizer and BioNTech for this very generous donation to support the vaccination of athletes and Games participants ahead of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020.”

Any doses delivered by Pfizer and BioNTech under the agreement will not be taken out of existing vaccination programmes but will be in addition to existing quotas and planned deliveries around the world.

The IOC and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) are working with the NOCs and National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) to encourage and assist their athletes, officials and Games stakeholders to get vaccinated in their home countries in line with national immunisation guidelines, before they go to Japan.

The offer to donate the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 to athletes and their delegations participating in the Tokyo 2020 Games came about during a conversation between Albert Bourla, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Pfizer, and Suga Yoshihide, Prime Minister of Japan.

“With hundreds of millions of vaccines already administered, and hundreds of millions more to go, Pfizer is committed, together with BioNTech, to doing all we can to help end this pandemic and help return the world to a sense of normalcy,” said Bourla.

“The return of the Olympic and Paralympic Games represents a monumental moment of world unity and peace after a gruelling year of isolation and devastation. We are proud to play a role in providing vaccines to athletes and their national Olympic delegations where possible.”

The IOC has also recently released the second edition of its Playbooks, which give detailed information and guidelines to the various stakeholder groups participating in the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020.

[Source: SportAccord] The IF Forum 2021 has been brought forward to next month from its traditional autumn slot to allow the SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit 2021 to be rescheduled for 7-12 November 2021 in Ekaterinburg, Russia.

The 15th edition of the IF Forum will adopt a fully virtual format with expert speakers from across the global sports movement, including representatives of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), umbrella sports associations and individual IFs, as well as sports industry executives.

The IF Forum will start with a Welcome Address by IOC President Thomas Bach and an Opening Address by Dr. Raffaele Chiulli, President of SportAccord and GAISF (Global Association of International Sports Federations), followed by an Address by Dr. Richard Budgett, Medical and Scientific Director, IOC.

Presentations, updates, case studies and panel sessions will be provided on several vital topics, including ‘Moving Forward, Pivoting and the Lessons We Are Learning’, ‘A Return to Competition and Lessons from the Bubble’, ‘Athlete Mental Health’, ‘Commercial Approaches for IFs in the New Normal’ and ‘The Virtual Experience and its Home within IFs’.

Immediately after the closing remarks of the IF Forum, which will be staged virtually via the Olympic Capital of Lausanne in the Canton of Vaud in Switzerland, a virtual launch celebration from around the world for SportAccord 2021 in Ekaterinburg will take place on the same day, 25 May.

Dr. Chiulli will be joined by dignitaries from Russia in welcoming the international sporting community to the launch event, which will take place less than six months before the start of SportAccord 2021. There will also be further details about the conference programme for sport’s most influential global gathering in Ekaterinburg.

“We are excited to connect with International Sport Federations worldwide for what will be a timely and important IF Forum 2021,” Dr. Chiulli said.

“The IF Forum will be an outstanding opportunity for our community to come together to discuss best practice ideas as sport explores strategies to accelerate on the road to recovery.

“The SportAccord 2021 virtual launch celebration will also whet the appetite for the most highly anticipated World Sport & Business Summit so far in stunning Ekaterinburg.”

The invitation-only IF Forum 2021 will bring together more than 300 leaders from over 125 IFs, plus other virtual delegates and speakers. For further information, click here or download the brochure here.

Aggreko, the global leader in mobile and modular energy solutions, today announces a new partnership with Host City, the leading magazine and conference organisers for cities, rights holders, organisers, venues and suppliers of major international events.

As part of the new partnership, Aggreko will become the headline sponsor of the flagship Host City 2021 Conference, as well as Official Sustainability Partner of the Host City Americas Conference. Today’s announcement is the latest in a long and successful partnership between the two organisations, with Aggreko having supported Host City since it moved to Glasgow in 2015.

In addition to the partnership, David De Behr, Head of Sales - Aggreko Event Services, has been appointed as Advisory Board Member for Host City. David has worked within the events team at Aggreko for over 20 years, delivering innovative energy solutions for some of the biggest events in the world, including the Olympics and Glastonbury Festival. David’s role as an Advisory Board Member will focus on helping Host City to develop their sustainability efforts.

David De Behr, Head of Sales – Aggreko Event Services, said: “As the energy transition gathers pace, the global events sector continues to take the changing landscape in its stride, with events organisers continually adapting the way they operate to reduce their carbon footprint. As a key player in events, we’re proud to be supporting Host City in its efforts to achieve its sustainability targets.

“As an Advisory Board Member, I look forward to working closely with the Host City team. This partnership brings our two organisations even closer together after many years of successful collaboration, and demonstrates our collective commitment to leading carbon reduction efforts in event energy solutions”.

Ben Avison, Editorial and Conference Director at Host City said: “The topic of how to stage sustainable events gets more prominent every year at Host City and we are pleased to provide a platform for Aggreko to share its leadership in the urgent field of carbon reduction. We look forward to shaping the agenda with David’s expert input, and to welcoming him to the stage alongside other world class speakers in Glasgow and the Americas.”

About Aggreko

Aggreko is a world-leading provider of mobile modular power, temperature control and energy services. We are working at the forefront of a rapidly changing energy market and are focused on solving our customers’ challenges to provide cost-effective, flexible and greener solutions across the globe.

We harness innovation that helps us maintain a global reach and supply portable equipment for a wide range of uses. From unique commercial industrial projects, through to utility provision and humanitarian emergencies.  We bring expertise and equipment to any location, from the world’s busiest cities to its most remote places.

Aggreko specialises in serving eight key sectors: Oil & Gas, Manufacturing, Mining, Petrochemicals & Refining, Business Services & Construction, Events, Data Centres and Utilities.

Across these, our equipment offers maximum fuel flexibility, using gas, diesel (including HFO), and renewable fuel sources. We offer microgrid and storage solutions and are developing our offer to include more tools to help our customers adapt to the energy transition the world is experiencing. What makes us unique is our extensive expertise, experience and values.  This means we put our customers first, innovate and deliver leaner and more efficient equipment quickly.

Since 1962, Aggreko has grown from a small local business to a global energy pioneer. We have more than 6,000 employees, operating in around 79 countries. With revenues of approximately GBP 1.6bn (USD 2.0 bn or Euros 1.8bn) in 2019, we are listed on the London Stock Exchange (AGK.L) and headquartered in Scotland.

Aggreko draws together global expertise and technology development to go further for customers. The ability to provide power, heating and cooling will continue to open-up opportunity and create potential for individuals, communities, industries and societies all over the world.

Together and over time, we believe our services will make a massive difference.

About Host City

Host City is the event and media brand that connects the owners, hosts and organisers of major events.

Through its conference, exhibition and online publishing platforms, Host City shares best practice within the international community of international sports, business and cultural events.

Host City events are renowned for the highest level of speakers, content and networking.

Launched in 2014, the annual global Host City conference takes place in Glasgow each November/December. The first Host City Americas takes place online on 29-30 June 2021, following the success of Host City Asia events in 2018 and 2019.

For more information visit www.hostcity.com 

Make no mistake, the rights holders of international events are in the middle of a fight for survival.

“With no ability to travel around the world for international events, it’s an existential crisis for international federations,” said Clare Briegal, CEO of the International Netball Federation.

“We’ve faced major disruption to our events and are revising our international calendar,” said Jim Scherr, CEO of World Lacrosse. “We’re hoping to get thought this immediate Covid crisis but it’s going to change the world forever, the way we govern and administer sports.

“This is going to affect all of us for probably the rest of our careers.”

Facing the same enemy

“We’re all facing the same enemy,” said Damiano Zamana, deputy CEO of the International Motorcycling Federation.

When the going gets tough, the tough get going – and the IFs, IOC, event hosts and national governments have all played their part.

“The Swiss government were quick to put in place tools supporting the international federations. The IOC brokered the position of the IFs very well, so they made partial unemployment for personnel available. There were also funds available from Swiss banks at favourable interest rates.

“We set up several working groups: one dealing with promoters who have main responsibility of organising and hosting the events; and another organising disciplines where we do not have a promoter – working with cities and local clubs.

“For commercial partners with difficulties, we reached ad hoc agreements with them.

“Despite a consistent loss, as everybody, with the support of Swiss government and with cost containment we were able to break even at the end of the year and be a bit more confident facing 2021.”

Event cancellation and postponement creates issues that reach beyond the immediate impact of lost ticket sales.

“We took a set of financial actions in order to cancel the cancellation fees for the rider licenses,” said Zamana. “We were able to keep almost 80 per cent of the Junior Series going, which was important to avoid the ‘Covid gap’ for young athletes. If you are six to eight years old, you cannot be an elite athlete so you can’t train.”

Risk too much to bear

The INF’s junior events were not as fortunate as its World Cup, which took place in 2019 and is due to place again in 2023.

“The Covid gap is a key consideration,” said Briegal. “We took the decision with a heavy heart to cancel our under 21s, as it’s a key pathway event. By the time we get to ‘23 and ‘27 there will be athletes that won’t have had that experience.

“Our approach was to protect the senior events which are more critical for our member countries and where we get most of our exposure and income. That has to be protected, the qualifiers have to be protected – the risk of staging the under 21s was just too much to bear for us.”

2021 remains a year of uncertainty for event organisers. “Some federations have decided not to run events this year. We are one of the federations who hope to run two events this year,” said Joern Verleger, President, International Fistball Association. “We are crossing our fingers and preparing. Let’s see how these things develop.”

Throughout the crisis, the federations have supported their members and communities.

“One of our challenges was to help our national governing bodies return to play. We formed a task force with our chief medical officer,” said Scherr.

“We scuttled about a third of a budget – then reallocated funds to our national members so they could stay in business.”

The INF worked with NETFIT and its members all over the world to provide online coaching, including coaching sessions for young people in Liberia. “When there’s no international netball what are we there for? To keep the international family together,” said Briegal.

“And if you want to think about the power of fans, think about what happened in UK and Italy around the European Super League. The fans are very much still there. We need to capture and amplify this.”

Supply chain stretched

The event supply chain has also been massively hit by the crisis, affecting some sports more than others.

“Our sport depends on suppliers – you need a motorcycle!” said Zamana.

Despite Covid, motorcycle sales were up 13 per cent last year – but not everyone has been able to access the equipment they need.

“In Australia, if you need to order a motorcycle the production and distribution time has become so stretched you have to wait four years. Fortunately this is not the situation in Europe, which is closer to the source of production.

“This is having an impact, so we need to modify our planning. The plants are back to normal production and we hope that this gap will be absorbed completely within 24 months.”

On a different scale, fistball also requires specialist equipment. “The ball is very important, and so is our relationship with sport equipment manufacturers,” said Verleger. “We’re interested to establish more connection with service providers.”

Digital reorganisation

Like all organisations, the IFs have faced governance challenges, with closed offices, remote workers and virtual congresses. “We’re a very friendly sport, used to meeting to celebrate the sport,” said Briegal. “The challenge is how to make these online conferences enjoyable for delegates!”

Scherr said “We had to do a complete pivot, all of a sudden working remotely. We worked hard to make sure we all have the same connectivity, moving to cloud storage – and then making sure volunteers had the same. We settled on zoom for external and teams on internal for functionality and privacy. Our biggest concern is that now people are using their own hardware, how do we manage GDPR?

“We are trying to aggressively build digital and social media following for the sport on the back of our events.”

Digitalisation has proved less of a barrier to World Obstacle, whose globally disparate membership has meeting virtually for years. “We have General Assemblies by Zoom since 2015, so we are used to having these kinds of meetings,” said Michel Cutait, deputy Secretary General of World Obstacle (FISO).

“It suits our structure – we have a committed team, a young federation, but we are very connected with young people and we think we have a great future. We have ambitious plans for our World Series and World Championships involving AR and VR, partnering with technology companies – and a very natural location for broadcasting and streaming.”

Brighter later

No matter how dark the climate is right now, the future is surely much brighter in comparison.

“The vaccination is going on with different results in different areas of the world – moving on quite well in Middle East, UK, and US, but slow in other parts of Europe,” said Zamana. “I hope the vaccination will continue with speed to give us a bit more freedom of movement while respecting the protocol.”

The progress of protection against the virus impacts how long it takes federations to recover.

“It depends on how 2022 will go,” said Zamana. “We’re already switching to our ‘plan B’ budget for this year.

“If for 2022 we go back to 100% of activity, we’ll recover in 5-8 years to where we were before, in terms of investment, sports developments, junior development and commitment to antidoping.”

Access to insurance is an issue for all event organisers. “The majority of IFs don’t have shareholders; they are not for profit. I’m struggling to renew a simple insurance policy – they are asking for a lot of financial information, because the insurance companies are not willing to take a risk on a small federation. We ask the insurance industry to support us: I understand the concerns, but please understand who have in front of you – we are not Nestle or Novartis!”

Scherr said “We have to navigate the world of liability – to manage the risk to the athletes, the spectators. What we do know is there is still demand from the public to consume sport. We need to work together to face this new world.”

A quick rebound is possible, said Briegal, responding to a question from Andy Bough of Cube International. “There’s a lot of pent up money. Licensing and merchandising are important to us, after ticketing and broadcasting. It’s a big growing area – a lot of our fans love to shop.”

Major events don’t always make the most of this retail opportunity, she said. “Organising committees have been conservative about the investment they are prepared to make up front and, in all cases, we’ve sold out in two days.

“Let’s hope the 2022 Commonwealth Games is a good retail opportunity. We encourage organising committee to look at the commercial opportunities of merchandise. I’m very positive – I think there’s demand out there.”

Even when events can’t take place, retail is an important source of income for federations. “If they can’t go to events, people want to demonstrate support for their teams in other ways. International fans can’t go to the Olympic Games, so how are people going to celebrate? In fan sites in their own countries. There are always opportunities.”

A challenge the sector faces is uncertainty around the recovery of international tourism. “You’ve got to make people feel comfortable travelling – it’s a big problem we’re going to have to solve together,” said Briegal.

Michiel Aulbers, Commercial Head for Global Business and Partnerships, ATPI said “We are an international travel association. In our marine and energy division we’ve had mission-critical travel, moving staff from oil rigs home – we’ve learned a lot.

“The big challenge for the sports world will be availability – a lot of the airlines have downscaled on flights and staff. We want to find connections to your event from airlines.”

Get with the Olympic programme

Looking further in the future, Los Angeles is hosting the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Could lacrosse, which originated in North America from indigenous peoples, be part of the programme?

“We hope we have an opportunity to join LA28. It’s been in five Olympic games,” said Scherr, who was CEO of the US Olympic Committee from 2003 to 2009. “Given the sports selection process we think there’s an opportunity. There’s a tremendous amount of competition, but we think it would great for the LA28 Games. It certainly should be a great game changer for the sport of lacrosse around the world.

“LA28 have almost all their venues built already, or existing venues. There’s quite a bit of overlay to do. It’s a great Games, they’ve announced two founding partners on the sponsorship side, it’s an interesting proposition. The IOC Agenda 2020+5 and the question of cost and complexity of the Games might change how all federations fit into the Games.

“We’re looking forward to a fantastic Games in LA in 28 and hope we can be part of it.”

[Source: SportAccord] Dmitry Chernyshenko, Russian Federation Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the SportAccord 2021 Organising Committee, Igor Levitin, Aide to the President of the Russian Federation, and Minister of Sport Oleg Matytsin have hosted a positive meeting with SportAccord President Raffaele Chiulli and Managing Director Nis Hatt.

Dr. Chiulli and Mr. Hatt were welcomed less than seven months before the rescheduled SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit 2021 takes place from 7-12 November in Ekaterinburg, Russia.

Mr. Chernyshenko said: “The Summit is one of the largest international sporting events. The preparations are being carried out on behalf of Russian President Vladimir Putin. We make every effort to ensure that this event is held at the highest level.”

Mr. Chernyshenko went on to say: “Particular attention will be paid to the preparation of a cultural and business program for participants and guests of Russia. Today, representatives from more than 50 countries have already been registered, such as Argentina, Australia, Japan, Malaysia, France, Germany, Singapore, etc.”

The commitment to ensuring the highest level of safety and security of delegates was reiterated with special attention being paid to the various measures that will be put in place in the context of Covid-19. Amongst others, one option being explored is making complimentary vaccines available for registered delegates.

Numerous other topics have also been discussed in recent days, including the support foreign participants at SportAccord 2021 will receive with visa processes, as outlined by Mr. Chernyshenko during an Organising Committee meeting in Ekaterinburg earlier this week.

Mr. Levitin said: “The participation of Russian President Vladimir Putin in the event will significantly increase its level and significance. Preparation is going on at the highest level.”

He also noted: “Sport needs to adapt to challenges such as the pandemic. And we can discuss, including at the site of the SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit in Ekaterinburg, with our scientists, the issues of protecting the health of athletes and vaccinations.”

The SportAccord delegation has seen first-hand the on-the-ground preparations for sport’s most influential global gathering this week in Ekaterinburg, where they also met with Sverdlovsk Region Governor Yevgeny Kuivashev regarding the impressive preparations to date.

“There is no doubt that Ekaterinburg is ready to host SportAccord and it was especially important to reconnect with Mr. Chernyshenko, Mr. Levitin, and Mr. Matytsin and to have their full support,” Dr. Chiulli said.

Dr. Chiulli went on to say: “We are also grateful for the continued backing of the Organising Committee, the Sverdlovsk Region and the Russian Federation for the outstanding preparations that have taken place and that the vision of delivering the most important 2021 event in Russia – the SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit in Ekaterinburg.”

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 19th 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.

[Source: IOC] The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will partner with five International Sports Federations (IFs) and game publishers to produce the Olympic Virtual Series (OVS), the first-ever, Olympic-licensed event for physical and non-physical virtual sports.

Taking place ahead of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, the OVS will begin on 13 May, continuing through to 23 June 2021. The Olympic Virtual Series will mobilise virtual sport, esports and gaming enthusiasts all around the world in order to reach new Olympic audiences, while also encouraging the development of physical and non-physical forms of sports in line with the recommendations of the IOC’s Olympic Agenda 2020+5.

IOC President Thomas Bach said: “The Olympic Virtual Series is a new, unique Olympic digital experience that aims to grow direct engagement with new audiences in the field of virtual sports. Its conception is in line with Olympic Agenda 2020+5 and the IOC’s Digital Strategy. It encourages sports participation and promotes the Olympic values, with a special focus on youth.”

David Lappartient, Chair of the IOC’s Esports and Gaming Liaison Group (ELG), and President of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), said: “On behalf of the ELG, as well as the UCI, I am delighted to be involved in the launch of the first-ever Olympic Virtual Series. A number of IFs have well established virtual sports initiatives; and thanks to the cooperation between the IOC, the IFs and the publishers, the OVS is an exciting step forward for the virtual sports world and the Olympic Movement”.

The following International Federations and gaming publishers will be part of the Olympic Virtual Series:

- World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) – eBaseball Powerful Pro Baseball 2020, Konami Digital Entertainment

- Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) – Zwift, Zwift inc.

- World Rowing - Open format

- World Sailing - Virtual Regatta, Virtual Regatta SAS

- Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) - Gran Turismo, Polyphony Digital

The OVS creates a stage to connect the physical sporting world with the virtual and simulation sports gaming community, providing an opportunity to engage with the Olympic Movement. Each IF will offer its corresponding event in a format that maximises online mass participation and prioritises inclusivity and participation through the OVS. The mass-participation Series allows participants around the world to compete from home or their training facilities in order to generate excitement in the build-up to the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.

All five OVS events will differ in form and concept, and will operate via the sport’s respective publisher platform where participants will be able to take part. Fans will have the opportunity to engage and follow the events on the Olympic Channel. Additional information on how to participate, as well as prizes included with select events, will be announced soon. Information will also be available online at www.olympicchannel.com

In line with Recommendation 9 of Olympic Agenda 2020+5, which states “Encourage the development of virtual sports and further engage with video gaming communities”, the launch of the first-ever OVS supports the IOC’s Digital Strategy and aims to leverage the growing popularity of virtual sport to promote the Olympic Movement, Olympic values and sports participation and grow direct relations with young people. It supports the IFs in further establishing virtual and simulated forms of sports as a discipline within their regulations and strategies. Building on the success of their respective events, both the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), along with other International Federations such as the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and World Taekwondo (WT) have confirmed their excitement and commitment to exploring inclusion in future editions of the OVS.

Sarah Lewis OBE OLY has announced her candidacy for President of the International Ski Federation (FIS - Fédération Internationale de Ski), the world’s largest winter sports governing body.

The official candidacy nomination has been submitted to FIS by the Royal Belgian Ski Federation, of which she is a member.

The candidacy could ultimately make her the fifth – and first female – President in the 97-year history of FIS, founded in 1924 and whose disciplines now represent over half of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games programme.

Lewis is pledging to transform FIS into a global movement for world skiing and snowboarding as part of her FIS Piste Map - the blueprint for the future of the organisation. 

She will further integrate the 135-member ski and snow sport National Associations and the athletes into the governance, drive a digital transformation to strengthen commercial potential and introduce crucial governance reforms to future-proof FIS.

She is also pledging to implement a Covid Recovery Fund for National Associations, renounce a presidential salary and introduce financial efficiencies notably in these unprecedented times. Boosting gender diversity, athlete, youth and emerging member nations initiatives, strengthening the all-important symbiotic relationship between ski, snow sport and tourism, and focusing on sustainability, the environment and legacies for the mountain regions hosting global events are also important priorities.

FIS, whose current President Gian-Franco Kasper stands down after 23 years, will see its first contested and virtual election in its history, on 4 June 2021.

New era

Lewis was Secretary General of FIS for twenty years until last October, when her departure was announced – she is now running for President in this “new era” of FIS. 

She had always stated that she would not declare a candidacy to run as President before the conclusion of the FIS World Cup and Championship season, to maintain complete focus on the sport and athletes.

“We are entering a new era for FIS and global sport - an era that requires FIS to tackle its role in a changed, more inclusive and demanding society, and an era that FIS must embrace for growth, a healthy future for our sport, with our athletes at the centre,” she said. 

“We have been presented with a unique opportunity - to elect a 21st Century President, whose full focus is to work hand-in-hand with the National Associations and stakeholders, leading FIS on a strategic transformation to become a global movement for world skiing and snowboarding.

“I have devoted myself to our sport as an Olympian, to FIS and our community, and to the Olympic Movement as a participant, manager and a leader. 

“I am now making this journey for one reason - to work together to build a FIS that is fully representative of the global ski and snow sport community, and fully equipped to take us well into the second centennial of FIS, with a crystal clear plan, transparency and accountability. Together I believe we can achieve much more.”

Lewis, who put on skis aged five, has spent her life in snow sport. By the age of 15 she was training internationally, becoming a ‘citizen of the world’, and at 24 she represented Great Britain at the 1988 Olympic Winter Games in Calgary.

In 2000, after two years as FIS Director, she was appointed Secretary General.

She has made it her mission to understand the global landscape and has actively participated in competitions and events in 59 member nations over the years, while taking every opportunity to promote FIS and snow sport as a member of the International Olympic Committee Programme Commission, sitting on three Olympic Winter Coordination Commissions and two Youth Olympic Games Commissions, and working at five Olympic Winter Games. 

Lewis has also served as Secretary General of the Association of International Olympic Winter Sports Federations (AIOWF) and Chair of the World Anti-Doping Agency Independent Observers at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

In 2018, she was awarded the title of Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her services to sport. 

[Source: Grundy Communications]

Visit www.sarah-lewis.com to see the full Presidential campaign manifesto of Sarah Lewis.

The International Ski Federation (Fédération Internationale de Ski) is responsible for the Olympic disciplines of alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, ski jumping, Nordic combined, freestyle skiing and snowboarding, and is headquartered in Oberhofen, Switzerland, in close proximity to some of the world’s most famous snow sport destinations.

Sarah Lewis is speaking at Host City Americas on 29-30 June, Online.

UEFA, the administrative body for football in Europe, has denounced the agreement of twelve leading European football clubs to establish the Super League as a new mid-week competition.

AC Milan, Arsenal FC, Atlético de Madrid, Chelsea FC, FC Barcelona, FC Internazionale Milano, Juventus FC, Liverpool FC, Manchester City, Manchester United, Real Madrid CF and Tottenham Hotspur have all joined the planned Super League as Founding Clubs.

“UEFA, the English Football Association and the Premier League, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and LaLiga, and the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and Lega Serie A have learned that a few English, Spanish and Italian clubs may be planning to announce their creation of a closed, so-called Super League”, said a statement.

“If this were to happen, we wish to reiterate that we – UEFA, the English FA, RFEF, FIGC, the Premier League, LaLiga, Lega Serie A, but also FIFA and all our member associations – will remain united in our efforts to stop this cynical project, a project that is founded on the self-interest of a few clubs at a time when society needs solidarity more than ever.

“We will consider all measures available to us, at all levels, both judicial and sporting in order to prevent this happening. Football is based on open competitions and sporting merit; it cannot be any other way.

“As previously announced by FIFA and the six Confederations, the clubs concerned will be banned from playing in any other competition at domestic, European or world level, and their players could be denied the opportunity to represent their national teams.

“We thank those clubs in other countries, especially the French and German clubs, who have refused to sign up to this. We call on all lovers of football, supporters and politicians, to join us in fighting against such a project if it were to be announced. This persistent self-interest of a few has been going on for too long. Enough is enough.”

Discussions with UEFA and FIFA

In their statement announcing the agreement, the founding clubs said: “Going forward, the Founding Clubs look forward to holding discussions with UEFA and FIFA to work together in partnership to deliver the best outcomes for the new League and for football as a whole.

 “The formation of the Super League comes at a time when the global pandemic has accelerated the instability in the existing European football economic model. Further, for a number of years, the Founding Clubs have had the objective of improving the quality and intensity of existing European competitions throughout each season, and of creating a format for top clubs and players to compete on a regular basis.

“The pandemic has shown that a strategic vision and a sustainable commercial approach are required to enhance value and support for the benefit of the entire European football pyramid. In recent months extensive dialogue has taken place with football stakeholders regarding the future format of European competitions. The Founding Clubs believe the solutions proposed following these talks do not solve fundamental issues, including the need to provide higher-quality matches and additional financial resources for the overall football pyramid.”

The league aims to include three further clubs and to open “as soon as practicable”, eyeing an “August start”.

The development of the Super League, financed by JP Morgan, comes at a time of unprecedented private equity investment in sports events.

The UK government has said it will do everything  it can to prevent English clubs participating. The plans have been widely criticised by fans and the wider footballing community.

[Source: SportAccord] SportAccord has confirmed new dates for the SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit 2021, with sport’s most influential global gathering now set to take place from 7-12 November 2021 in Ekaterinburg, Russia at the IEC Ekaterinburg-Expo.

The decision to push back the dates for the World Sport & Business Summit to November was taken by the SportAccord Executive Committee. SportAccord is in close dialogue with its partners in Ekaterinburg, the Sverdlovsk Oblast region, and the Russian Federation. This move will provide greater safety and certainty to attendees in the context of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic but certainly to allow the greatest impact for our hosts.

“We are immensely grateful for the collaborative support of our friends in Ekaterinburg, the Sverdlovsk Region and the Russian Federation,” said Dr. Raffaele Chiulli, President of SportAccord and GAISF (Global Association of International Sports Federations).

“As always, the wellbeing of our delegates is our priority, and we believe that moving SportAccord to later in the year will give those wishing to attend the event more time to put in place the necessary plans.”

“We look forward to welcoming the world of sport to Ekaterinburg in November for what will be a game-changing gathering to signal a major step forward in the recovery of sport and society as we look to the future, beyond the pandemic.”

As a result, SportAccord’s annual International Federation (IF) Forum, which is traditionally held in the autumn in Lausanne, Switzerland, has been brought forward to 25 May 2021 and will be staged in a fully virtual format via Lausanne in the Canton of Vaud. In addition, a virtual launch celebration from around the world for SportAccord 2021 in Ekaterinburg will take place on 25 May 2021, following the IF Forum 2021 and less than six months before the World Sport & Business Summit commences.

[Source: IAEH] The International Association of Event Hosts has published the results of a survey conducted to understand the impacts of the pandemic on members’ events in 2021. IAEH members in Asia, Australia/New Zealand, Middle East, Europe and North America participated in the survey. The results show that the impacts and responses differ according to geographic location.

Most host organisations are expecting and planning to return to major events in 2021

o             Two thirds of members responding currently have cancelled or postponed events no later than September 2021, and only 17% currently have cancelled or postponed events in 2022.

Plans for ‘stadium’ events to re-commence

o             Two thirds of host organisations have already or are planning to allow’ stadium’ events in 2021.

o             In Australia and New Zealand ‘stadium’ events have either already re-commenced or are planned to re-commence with full capacity in April 2021.

o             In Asia, Europe and North America, 25% have plans for ‘stadium’ events to re-commence with full capacity but only late in 2021 or in 2022.

o             24% of all respondents have no current plan date for ‘stadium’ events to re-commence. The majority of these are in Europe.

Restrictions

o             For members hosting ‘stadium’ events with restrictions, the limits that apply are of no more than 50% capacity.

o             Some members also reported that restrictions are being imposed according to social distancing rules rather than percentage of capacity.

Measures adopted to support the events industry

o             The majority of host organisations have actively put in place measures to support the events industry. 50% of organisations reported event-specific initiatives in addition to general national government support.

o             Measures are similar across regions including mainly financial aid such as wage subsidy, interest free loans, tax relief, emergency funding, and reimbursement packages.

o             Members rated the effectiveness of these measures were higher in Australia, New Zealand, Asia and Middle East (7 out of 10) than in Europe and North America (5.5 out of 10).

Guidance for staging major events varies across the world

o             50% of members responding are using external resources - some based on resources from the World Health Organisation, others based on national or regional advice.

o             25% of members responding don't yet have any guidance in place for major events to go ahead.

The survey was completed by 24 IAEH member organisations between 8th and 29th March 2021.  A similar survey was conducted by the IAEH in May 2020. Comparing the results, a significant difference is on planning for ‘stadium’ events to re-commence.

In 2020, the level of uncertainty was much higher and the large majority (80%) of host organisations reported that there was no planning date for ‘stadium’ events with an audience to re-commence. Whereas in 2021, 76% answered that there is a plan date, with specific restrictions or full capacity.

The support measures also developed significantly since May 2020 and now the majority of host organisations have actively put in place measures to support the events industry.