[Source: SIGA.] SIGA has taken another significant step to promote good governance in Sport by today establishing a Standing Committee on Race, Gender, Diversity, and Inclusion.

This new Standing Committee is set up against a background of increasing incidents relating to racism, gender inequity and other forms of negative discrimination across the global sports industry.

The new SIGA Standing Committee will build upon the important work of a multi-stakeholder Task Force that SIGA established earlier this year on this same topic, leading to a series of cutting-edge recommendations that were publicly announced just two months ago during the first-ever Sport Integrity Week. Such recommendations included a review of the SIGA Universal Standards on Good Governance in Sport to include new evolving good practices in this area, such as unconscious bias training for employees of sports organisations, by way of example of a new gold standard.

This newly formed Standing Committee is Chaired by Brian Lewis, President of the Trinidad and Tobago National Olympic Committee (TTOC) and the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC) and member of the SIGA Council, while Ju’Riese Colon, CEO of United States Center for SafeSport, will be the Vice-Chaired.

Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros, Global CEO of SIGA and Chairman & CEO of SIGA AMERICA, stated:

“Look around us. Can any of us be insensitive to what’s happening around us and pretend it’s not our business? Of course, not! Sport can do more. Politicians and business leaders can do more. Each one of us can do a lot more to eradicate racism and inequality, in all its forms, from Sport and, through Sport, from our society. And, if we can, we must!

As we enter into a slow and painful recovery from the global pandemic, there is no better time to remember that, in Sport as in life, regardless of race, gender, place of birth, zip code, religious beliefs or sexual orientation, everyone must be entitled to the same rights and opportunities as others. This is a fundamental human right, and it is our moral imperative to do everything in our power to make sure that respect, tolerance and equality are more than just words. With the SIGA Standing Committee on Race, Gender, Diversity and Inclusion we will muster the leadership and foster the necessary culture change.”

Commenting on his appointment as Chair of the SIGA Standing Committee on Race, Gender, Diversity and Inclusion in Sport, Brain Lewis, who also holds the office of President of the Trinidad and Tobago National Olympic Committee (TTOC) and the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committee (CANOC) and is a member of the SIGA Council, stated:

“The SIGA Standing Committee on Race, Gender, Inclusion and Diversity is historic and significant with an incredible opportunity to be a force and catalyst for positive change within global sport. To be asked to chair the Standing Committee is an awesome honour and responsibility. Coming from a small Caribbean Island it’s a significant statement of inclusion and diversity by SIGA.” Leading the Way for Sport Integrity Worldwide

Ju’Riese Colon, CEO of United States Center for SafeSport and newly appointed Vice-Chair of the SIGA Standing Committee on Race, Gender, Diversity and Inclusion in Sport, concluded:

“I am proud to help lead SIGA’s initiatives around race, gender, diversity, and inclusion, as we work toward sport environments inclusive of all athletes. Leveling the playing field and creating systemic culture change begins with promoting athlete safety and well-being. I welcome the opportunity to apply what we have learned here in the U.S. and to work with experts from around the world with the goal of influencing change on a global scale.

The full composition of the SIGA Standing Committee on Race, Gender, Diversity and Inclusion in Sport is a s follows:

Chair Brian Lewis President, TTOC & CANOC | Member, SIGA Council

Deputy Chair Ju’Reese Colón CEO, US Centre for SafeSport

Members Affy Sheikh Head of Starlizard Integrity Services, SIGA Member

Angela Smith Chair, Stoke City Supporters Council, Member of GB World Champion Squash Team & SIGA Mentor

Arun Kang OBE CEO, Sporting Equals

Densign White MBE CEO, IMMAF, SIGA Member

Karin Korb Wheelchair Tennis 2-Time Paralympian & 10 -time member of USA World Team & SIGA Champion

Michelle Chai COO, Olympic Council of Malaysia & SIGA Mentor

Stacey Copeland First British Woman to win the Commonwealth Title for Boxing & SIGA Champion

Taylor Green Member, SIGA Youth Council & SIGA Mentee

Hear Brian Lewis and Densign White speak about “The Impact of the Black Lives Matter Movement” at Host City 2020. Register for free here: https://www.hostcity.com/host-city-2020-free-registration

The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships has appointed Phil Heselwood, Jonathan Rigby and Kate Steven to its senior management team in the roles of Director of Sport, Director of Commercial, Marketing & Communications, and Director of Operations respectively.

Reporting directly to the Championships CEO, Trudy Lindblade, each brings a wealth of cycling and international major events experience and will work alongside Trudy, the UCI and the Event Partners to design and deliver the inaugural event in Glasgow and Scotland in August 2023.

Prior to joining the Championships team, Phil was part of British Cycling’s Major Events Team for 11 years, including two years as Major Events Development Manager, where he was responsible for the strategic development, governance, financial sustainability, growth and innovation for all the governing body’s major events. This depth of experience has meant he has been involved in major cycling events across most of the 13 major championships, including the Glasgow 2018 European Championships, 2016 UCI Track Cycling World Championships and the 2012 UCI BMX World Championships, that make up the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships.

Jonathan brings a wealth of international commercial, marketing and communications experience to his new role having been Commercial Director at British Cycling, where he led the organisation’s commercial partnerships. He was also Commercial & Marketing Director at BBC Children in Need, helping to lift the annual total raised from £49m to £60m in just two years; and was International Head of Marketing at Manchester United for five years where he lead a team that worked alongside over 45 international commercial partners.

Kate joins having played a key role in the successful delivery of the 2019 UCI Road World Championships in Yorkshire where she was Head of Operations. In the role she was responsible for the operational strategy, structure and the event-time team of more than 2,000 people delivering the championships’ operations. She was part of the organising committee for the London Olympics and subsequently Head of Events at Glasgow Life during the preparation and delivery of the 2014 Commonwealth Games. In Glasgow, she was responsible for the programme management of more than 30 major public events including the first use of the city’s race circuit for the British Road Race Championships in 2013.

Trudy Lindblade, 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships CEO, said: “I’m delighted to have Phil, Jonathan and Kate joining the Cycling Worlds senior management team. They each bring a wealth of experience to their respective roles, which will be invaluable as we develop our plans for delivering this historic event in 2023 and build a blueprint for future editions.  

“The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships is more than just an event. It is a chance to make significant change by celebrating the unique power of the bike and all it brings to our everyday lives, whether it’s for our health and well-being, our environment, tourism or the economy. Through their individual roles, Phil, Jonathan and Kate will each play a leading role in championing this vision to ensure our ambition of delivering a truly innovative and unique event is met.”

Phil said: “I am very excited to be part of such an innovative and ambitious event. Glasgow and Scotland have a well-deserved global reputation for delivering world class events, and there is no doubt they will again provide the perfect stage for the world’s best cyclists across all 13 disciplines to perform and inspire.

“The potential of this event for cycling and the positive impact it aims to have on people’s behaviours is hugely inspiring. I’m looking forward to working with all the great partners across the country to showcase both theirs, and Scotland’s, ambition to the world.”

Jonathan said: The vision for 2023 is to deliver a unique international event that also showcases and inspires people to make cycling part of their everyday lives. This presents a fantastic opportunity to not only engage communities but also for domestic and international sponsors to partner with a truly purpose-led event at a time when cycling is booming.  I’m delighted to be part of this bold ambition and I look forward to working with Trudy, the Event Partners and wider stakeholders to deliver this vision.”

Kate said: “I’m delighted to be joining the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships team. I have worked on a variety of sport operations around the world and am looking forward to working in collaboration with our national partners to build an exceptional team and operation here in my home nation. It is a privilege to help deliver the world’s largest ever cycle event and promote the power of the bike.

Phil will take up his position on the 1 December 2020, with Jonathan and Kate starting on the 1 January 2021.

Taking place in Glasgow and across Scotland in August 2023, the UCI Cycling World Championships will be the biggest single cycling event in history, bringing together 13 existing individual World Championship cycling disciplines into one mega event, for the first time.

The Championships is more than just an event. It will celebrate the unique power of the bike and all it can bring to our everyday lives, whether it’s physical and mental health benefits, easing congestion on the road to help the environment, or simply making it easier for people to get around.

Underpinned by four key policy drivers - participation, transport, tourism and economy - the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships will be a catalyst for behavioural change across Scotland moving forward.

The Championships will be delivered in collaboration between the UCI, Scottish Government, Glasgow Life, UK Sport, British Cycling and VisitScotland with its EventScotland team, with the partnership creating a blueprint for future editions by ensuring the inaugural event is authentic, innovative and distinctive.

Host City 2020, taking place online on 8-9 December, is pleased to announce six Strategic Partners, underpinning the two principal Supporting Partners previously announced: EventScotland and Glasgow Life.

The Global Esports Federation (GEF) and the Association of International Convention Centres (AIPC) join as Strategic Partners for the first time. Returning Strategic Partners include the International Association of Event Hosts (IAEH), the Association of Global Event Suppliers (AGES), AEG Europe and Glasgow Convention Bureau.

Host City is a “one-stop shop” for the owners, organisers, hosts and other stakeholders of sports, business and cultural events. Now in its 7th year, the 2020 event takes online, hosted from Glasgow, Scotland on 8-9 December under the conference theme of The Big Restart: Recovery with a Purpose for the Digital Age.

Host City 2020’s Strategic Partner programme encompasses world-leading organisations representing stakeholders in major sports, business and cultural events. The Strategic Partners provide vital input into the world-leading conference agenda, contributing expertise and speakers to panels and workshops. The Strategic Partnerships greatly increase access to the event for all stakeholders in major events, while helping to consolidate the major event hosting community around this unique focal point.

To register to attend Host City for free, visit www.hostcity.com.

For speaking opportunities contact ben.avison@hostcity.com and for sponsorship/exhibiting contact adam.soroka@cavendishgroup.co.uk

About Host City

Host City brings together cities and sports, business and cultural events for two full days of unrivalled insight, networking, workshops and business on 8-9 December online, hosted from Glasgow, Scotland.

This is where representatives of host destinations, federations and other rights holders, organisers, event suppliers and services from all over the world meet to discover opportunities and discuss the challenges of major event hosting. Participants are encouraged to use Host City as a platform to develop, workshop and announce new events, partnerships and formats.

www.hostcity.com

About The Global Esports Federation

The Global Esports Federation promotes the credibility, legitimacy and prestige of esports. We convene athletes, players, the world’s publishers, developers, industry partners and sporting organizations on one inclusive platform. We encourage and support the connection between sport, esports and technology. We develop visible initiatives that are in service to the esports community, powered by active, strategic partnerships that celebrate and inspire youth.

Founding Global Partner: Tencent

Global Partner: Refract

Global Supporter: Sports Innovation Lab; International Sports Broadcasting

Global Supplier: Nielsen

Strategic Partners: The Commonwealth Games Federation; Olympic Council of Asia; Organización Deportiva Suramericana (ODESUR); International Telecommunication Union (ITU); Dentsu Incl Global Sports Innovation Center Powered by Microsoft (GSIC)

#worldconnected. www.globalesports.org

About AIPC

AIPC – the International Association of Convention Centres – is the industry association for professional convention and exhibition centre managers worldwide. AIPC is committed to encouraging and recognizing excellence in convention centre management, while at the same time providing the tools to achieve such high standards through its research, educational and networking programs.

AIPC occupies a unique position amongst the various organizations that represent the meetings industry. It is a true international organization, with representation from over 60 countries around the world. It focuses specifically on the issues, opportunities and challenges facing convention and exhibition centres. It celebrates and promotes the multicultural dimension of the international meetings industry and the role facilities play in enhancing this. And it maintains close working relations with related industry organizations to ensure members are well connected to overall industry issues.

www.aipc.org

About IAEH

The International Association of Event Hosts (IAEH) exists for representatives of international destinations to collaborate to generate the best possible value from hosting major sporting and cultural events and provide a voice for ‘not for profit’ hosts of events.

IAEH provides a platform for members to learn from the successes and challenges of major events, share knowledge and generate greater long term social and economic benefits from hosting events.

www.eventhosts.org

About AGES

The Association of Global Event Suppliers (AGES) is a professional and business-oriented association which offers to share and manage valuable information related to the temporary event infrastructure industry in order to streamline business for buyers and sellers.

The purpose is to build up awareness for industry-specific aspects and to promote and defend the interests of its members in the international event marketplace. AGES develops roadmaps together with event organizers, governmental bodies and key stakeholders to create procedures, standards and other tools to facilitate interaction with international event suppliers.

The members and associate members are market leaders of the international event supplier’s industry and front-runners in the development of new products and services.

www.ages.international

About Glasgow Convention Bureau

Voted Best UK Convention Bureau for the last 14 years, Glasgow’s experienced conventions team continuously develops its city-wide strategic partnerships, world leading Conference Ambassador Programme and bespoke public engagement activities to support UK, European and international clients with hosting a successful and memorable meeting in Glasgow.

www.glasgowconventionbureau.com

About AEG Europe

Headquartered in London, AEG Europe is a subsidiary of AEG, the world’s leading sports and live entertainment company.  In Europe, AEG owns or operates sports and music facilities and entertainment districts across the continent including The O2 in London; Barclaycard Arena in Hamburg; Mercedes Platz in Berlin; and Accor Arena in Paris.  Through its Global Partnerships division, AEG delivers corporate brands the largest sports and live music marketing network in the world. AEG’s music division, AEG Presents is a global leader in concert promotion and venue management, running European music festivals; American Express presents BST Hyde Park, All Points East and Rock en Seine.

https://www.aegworldwide.com/

[Source: SportAccord] International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach, SportAccord and GAISF President Dr. Raffaele Chiulli, and World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised sport’s resilience and influence at today’s fully virtual International Federation (IF) Forum 2020, with IFs assured that preparations are being put in place to deliver safe Olympic Games next year.

SportAccord and GAISF President Dr. Raffaele Chiulli, referring to the theme of the IF Forum 2020 – ‘How Sport and Society Can Emerge Stronger from a Global Crisis’ – commended sport’s collective response to the pandemic.

“By working together and tapping into the experiences and knowledge of our colleagues across the world today, we have a huge learning resource at our disposal,” Dr. Chiulli said.

“This year has provided many challenges, but I think it is also important to recognise that our movement will be able to look back on 2020 with a lot of pride. I have been truly inspired to see the creativity of International Sport Federations in how they have engaged followers and stakeholders through innovative channels and campaigns.”

The International Olympic Committee President told the IF Forum’s delegates that collaborative work with the organising committee and other partners and stakeholders, including IFs, will ensure Tokyo is “the best prepared Olympic city” for the postponed Games.

He added to IF representatives, who were tuning in worldwide: “The health and safety of all concerned has always been and remains our top priority. Because of the fast-changing situation, we may not yet have all of the answers to the operational questions that are at the top of the minds of all IFs, but please rest assured that we are developing a toolbox of Covid countermeasures for every possible scenario.”

“In this context, the encouraging developments in so-called rapid testing and vaccines give us all good reason for cautious optimism. These developments will greatly facilitate the safe organization and give us additional countermeasure tools. In this way, we are prepared for safe Olympic Games, whatever conditions the world will be facing next summer.”

Dr. Tedros, who has been at the forefront of the international response to the pandemic, pledged WHO’s support to IFs, sports, event organising committees, sportspeople and fans.

“Working with representatives here today, we have issued guidance on running safe events. It calls for a risk-based approach to decide if and how an event should proceed,” Dr. Tedros said.  

“It is up to each of us to reinforce the essential role of sport as an enabler for better health, and WHO continues to strengthen our collaborations with sports entities, Federations and athletes. We are working to ensure that sports can be practiced safely, both at amateur and professional levels.”

The invitation-only IF Forum 2020 has brought together more than 200 leaders from over 125 IFs, with experts providing insights into areas such as crisis management, scenario planning, risk mitigation and staying connected with athletes, fans and stakeholders in times of crisis.

For further information about the IF Forum, click here or download the brochure here, and follow #IFFORUM2020 on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube.

Super League Triathlon is set to establish itself in the USA with the acquisition of the Malibu Triathlon.

The prestigious event has welcomed world class athletes as well as Hollywood stars such as Matthew McConaughey and Zac Efron during its long and illustrious history and secures Super League Triathlon a significant entry into the US market.

Malibu Triathlon will remain under its own branding and will also continue to support Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), having raised more than $15m for the cause. Further announcements on Super League’s exciting plans for the event will be announced in early 2021.

Super League Triathlon CEO and co-founder, Michael D’hulst, said: “We handpicked the Malibu Triathlon for this investment due its incredible history in sprint and Olympic distance racing and its incredible potential for Super League Triathlon.

“Acquiring the Malibu Triathlon is a perfect opportunity for Super League to move into the USA and build our presence in a region that already has a strong affinity with our exciting and dynamic racing and the content that we offer. It also aligns with our wider strategy to add more major cities and regions to our portfolio.

“We would like to thank Michael Epstein and his team who have worked so hard down the years to build and enhance the event, as well as previous owners Motiv.

“The prospect of Super League being involved with such an iconic race is very exciting.”

The Malibu Triathlon was first held in 1986 and retains a special place in the sport’s history.

The event starts and finishes on the sands of Zuma Beach and takes in the incredible ocean views of the Pacific Coast Highway.

This year’s event was replaced by the Virtual Triathlon and Duathlon Presented By Bank Of America. More than 700 participants from around the world took part raising $200,000 for Pediatric Cancer Research at CHLA.

Malibu Triathlon is a favourite of the film and entertainment industry with the likes of Tom Cruise, James Marsden and Jennifer Lopez having taken part.

[Source: Super League Triathlon]

Host City, renowned for the highest level of speakers and content, is excelling itself at this year’s event with an unprecedented level and diversity of representation from the world’s greatest event owners, organisers and hosts.

In addition to great content, the digital platform enables all the other hallmarks of Host City – world class networking, and an exhibition of events, hosts and expert suppliers.

Paul Bush OBE, Director of Events, VisitScotland and Bridget McConnell CBE, Chief Executive, Glasgow Life open proceedings addressing the conference theme, The Big Restart: Hosting with a Purpose for the Digital Age. Further keynotes follow from Sir Craig Reedie GBE, Member, International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Etienne Thobois CEO Paris 2024 Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The opening session also stars Roxana Mărăcineanu, Minister of Sports, France, Ian Reid, CEO, Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul, IOC Member and Vice President, Badminton World Federation and Fanta Diallo, Director of Sports, Youth and Community, City of Dakar.

The world’s two biggest sports events go head to head at Host City with Georgina Grenon, Director of Environmental Excellence, Paris 2024 Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games and Federico Addiechi, Head of Sustainability and Environment, FIFA discussing how major events are contributing to environmental goals. Tim Briercliffe, Secretary General, International Association of Horticultural Producers will also share his perspective on greening cities.

Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Director Tatsuo Ogura will give an update on preparations to host the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Brian Lewis, President, Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee and Densign White, Chair, Sporting Equals tackle another dominating issue of 2020: the impact of the Black Lives Matter movement, while Sabrina Ibanez, President of the Association of Paralympic Sports Associations leads the panel on inclusion and diversity.

Day Two kicks off with a keynote speech from Sir Russell Coutts KNZM CBE, CEO, SailGP.

World Athletics is well represented at Host City 2020 by CEO Jon Ridgeon and Jakob Larsen, Director of Competition and Events. Niels de Vos, CEO Oregon 21 LLC is also giving an insight into preparations for the upcoming World Athletics Championships.

With digitalisation accelerating rapidly, Bruno Marie-Rose, Director of Technology Paris 2024 Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Michael Cole Chief Technology Officer European Tour and Alban Dechelotte, Head of Sponsorship & Business Development EU Esport, Riot Games share views on future event delivery and the convergence of digital and real-world events.

Other great speakers include John Langford, Chief Operating Officer, AEG Europe, Michelle Hooper, Tournament Director Rugby World Cup New Zealand 2021, Michael D'hulst Co-Founder & CEO Super League Triathlon.

Major congresses are well represented by Aileen Crawford of Glasgow Convention Bureau, Emily Blitz of the International AIDS Society, Sven Bossu, CEO of the International Association of Convention Centres (AIPC) and Aoife Delmas of the European Society of Cardiology.

Other participating organisations include Aggreko, Department for International Trade, Sport Event Denmark, Global Esports Federation, European Sponsorship Association, International Association of Event Hosts, Association of Global Event Suppliers and many more to be announced.

Speakers, sponsors and exhibitors have access to invitation-only VIP structured networking.

Host City is the largest meeting of cities and sports, business and cultural events. To exhibit contact adam.soroka@cavendishgroup.co.uk. For speaking opportunities contact ben.avison@hostcity.com

World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach and SportAccord and the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) President Dr. Raffaele Chiulli are among the high-profile speakers who will participate in the fully virtual International Federation (IF) Forum 2020, which kicks off tomorrow.

The IOC President’s Welcome Remarks will be streamed online before Dr. Tedros, a leading figure in the global response to the Covid-19 pandemic, delivers a Keynote Address on the theme of the conference – ‘How Sport and Society Can Emerge Stronger from a Global Crisis’.

There will also be an Opening Address by Dr. Raffaele Chiulli, President of SportAccord and the GAISF, and a Member Keynote Address by Professor Fabio Pigozzi, President of the International Federation of Sports Medicine (FIMS).

Oscar Tosato, Municipal Councillor Sport and Social Cohesion at the City of Lausanne, will also provide a Host Welcome, while Evgeny Kuivashev, Governor of the Russian Federation’s Sverdlovsk Region, will deliver a SportAccord 2021 Host Address to give delegates a taste of what to expect at next year’s highly anticipated SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit in Ekaterinburg.

All of the IF Forum sessions will be streamed online for participants, with SportAccord having adopted a fully virtual format for the event due to ongoing challenges in relation to international travel and in-person gatherings in the context of the pandemic.

Topics that will be debated will include crisis management, scenario planning, how to limit risk from a legal and financial perspective, law-related commercial considerations for IFs and how to stay connected and reassure athletes, fans and stakeholders in times of adversity.

Experts from companies such as Charles Russell Speechlys, Leidar, MARSH, MGO Events, OnePlan, and SKIDATA will provide essential insights. The packed conference programme will also feature contributions from representatives of the IOC, as well as numerous IFs, including Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM), International Ski Federation (FIS), World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI), World Association of Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO), International Floorball Federation (IFF), World Taekwondo (WT), World Archery (WA), World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) and World Rugby.

The invitation-only IF Forum 2020 will bring together more than 200 leaders from over 125 International Sports Federations, with delegates, and speakers.

Dr. Chiulli said: “In these unusual and challenging times it is more important than ever for International Sport Federations to come together, and we have an outstanding line-up of influential speakers who will provide essential insights during this first fully virtual IF Forum. I am delighted with the SportAccord team’s efforts in preparing for this year’s event in this exciting format that will connect our community from across the globe.”

For further information about the IF Forum, click here or download the brochure here, and follow #IFFORUM2020 on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube.

For media enquiries, please contact: media@sportaccord.sport

[Source: SportAccord] The Sports Bureau of Macau SAR Government has renewed its long-running Gold Partner status at SportAccord’s World Sport & Business Summit for the 2021 edition of the international sports movement’s most influential global gathering in Ekaterinburg, Russia.

The Sports Bureau of Macao SAR Government has an established presence at SportAccord’s flagship annual gathering, having supported the event since the 2008 edition in Athens, Greece.

As a Gold Partner once again next year, the Sports Bureau will be provided with a prestigious platform for connecting with sport’s most influential decision-makers who will come together for a week of high-level meetings, engaging conferences and a bustling exhibition, from 23-28 May 2021.

The Sports Bureau seeks to promote sport at all levels with athletes and citizens alike. It focuses on creating the necessary conditions for the development of sport and plays an active role between sports associations, as well as encouraging citizens to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Nis Hatt, Managing Director, SportAccord, said: “The Sports Bureau of Macao SAR Government’s unwavering support illustrates the organisation’s commitment, not only to SportAccord and the World Sport & Business Summit, but also to staying at the forefront of the international sporting community’s minds with their continued involvement and support.”

Pun Weng Kun, President of the Sports Bureau of Macao SAR Government added: “We are honoured to return again as one of the Gold Partners for the SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit 2021 in Ekaterinburg. We look forward to enhancing Macau’s profile as an active sport city, making contributions to the positive growth and development in the global sport industry and being a significant part of the success of the event.”

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.

The conference programme will feature six streams – CityAccord, HealthAccord, LawAccord, MediaAccord, the SportAccord Summit, and the new InvestAccord – with numerous influential speakers set to offer unmissable insights into a variety of vital areas in sport.

Registration is open for the SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit 2021 in Ekaterinburg.

Situated on the banks on the Iset River, Ekaterinburg is Russia’s fourth-largest city by population, and is a hotspot for tourism and business, as well as sport, as the home to numerous professional teams.

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, Instagram, and Flickr.

[Source: SportAccord] Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), will be a Keynote Speaker at the fully virtual International Federation (IF) Forum 2020 next month, SportAccord has confirmed.

Dr. Tedros, who has been a prominent figure in the international response to the Covid-19 pandemic, will deliver a Keynote Address on the theme of the conference – ‘How Sport and Society Can Emerge Stronger from a Global Crisis’.

Having been elected to serve a five-year term at the helm by WHO Member States in 2017, Dr. Tedros is globally recognised as a health scholar, researcher and diplomat with first-hand experience in research, operations and leadership in emergency responses to epidemics.

The Keynote Address will follow a Welcome Address by International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach and an Opening Address by Dr. Raffaele Chiulli, President of SportAccord.

Dr Tedros said: “Sport plays a vital role in our closely connected global community, bringing joy, teamwork, peace and ways to promote the physical and mental health for people of all walks of life.”

“But like many other areas of life, COVID-19 has also turned the sporting world upside down, forcing to us to find new ways to enable people to participate in their favourite sports, while keeping them safe in the process. WHO has been working closely with sporting federations during these challenging times to assess the risks associated with COVID-19 to protect the health of players, staff and fans. We will continue working with you to bring sports back on line safely for all.”

Dr. Chiulli added: “We are very excited to be welcoming Dr. Tedros to the IF Forum. He has played an incredibly important role in the global Covid-19 challenge presented to all of us – including the international sports movement – and we are delighted that he will join us virtually to provide unmissable insights into the role sport can play in helping to drive the broader recovery of society as we hope to move on from the turbulence of this year.”

All of the IF Forum sessions will be streamed online, with SportAccord having adopted a fully virtual format for the event due to ongoing challenges in relation to international travel and in-person gatherings in the context of the pandemic.

More than 30 expert speakers have been lined up to participate in the conference programme. During the packed conference schedule, a range of experts will discuss strategies to drive the recovery of sport following the pandemic whilst establishing game plans that sports leaders can put in place to mitigate challenges that may arise from possible unforeseen disruptions in the future.

Topics that will be debated will include crisis management, scenario planning, how to limit risk from a legal and financial perspective, law-related commercial considerations for IFs and how to stay connected and reassure athletes, fans and stakeholders in times of adversity. 

The invitation-only IF Forum 2020 will bring together more than 200 leaders from over 125 International Sports Federations, with delegates, and speakers.

For further information about the IF Forum, click here or download the brochure here, and follow #IFFORUM2020 on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and Flickr.

[Source: SailGP, October 22, 2020] Following the announcement of its Race for the Future purpose-led agenda aimed at accelerating change to a cleaner and more inclusive future, SailGP today rolled out its first major diversity, equity and inclusion initiative. The global championship has launched an extensive program to fast-track the training and development of female athletes for participation in SailGP.

SailGP CEO Sir Russell Coutts said: “We acknowledge that there is work to be done in order to make our organization and this sport more inclusive, and we are fully committed to addressing the need to accelerate change. As we have quickly progressed to become the pinnacle global league for the sport, it has also become abundantly clear that this opportunity should be afforded to as wide a group of athletes as possible.

“Fast, foiling boats – including our F50 catamarans – are now rightfully at the center of high-performance sail racing, however, the majority of that racing has been predominantly male-driven, resulting in an experience gap among genders. All genders can, and should, be equal in this sport, and we must therefore provide the opportunity necessary to close that gap. It is imperative that we break existing boundaries in the sport to create a more inclusive environment overall.”

SailGP’s immediate focus is the advancement of gender equity and racial diversity, with the longer-term goal to ensure the league is more accessible for all underrepresented groups.

To guide the process, SailGP has been working with diversity and inclusion consultancy the Clear Company throughout the last four months, while also establishing two working committees. The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee – which includes 75 percent membership from underrepresented groups – is driving the holistic inclusion of women and racially diverse individuals across the organization, while the Women’s Committee – made up of a cross-section of internal and external expertise, including more than 80 percent women – is supporting the initial female athlete integration process.

In early November, SailGP will host the first in a series of women’s invitational camps that will eventually be conducted in each team market – Australia, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Japan, New Zealand, Spain and the United States – to engage with female athletes who meet the league’s overall selection criteria.

From there, 16 women will be invited to participate in SailGP’s pre-season training camp early next year. Ultimately, at least one female athlete will be selected to train and be immersed within each team for Season 2, which is set to begin in April 2021.

The first season of the gender equity initiative will serve as a pilot program, and will include regular evaluation and adjustments to ensure a successful integration process. Overall, the program will aim to train top female sailors to be competitive in the positions of helm, flight controller or wing trimmer onboard the F50 race boats.

SailGP Women’s Committee member Carolijn Brouwer, a three-time Olympian who has also competed in The Ocean Race three times and been named World Sailor of the year twice, said: “This is a big step forward for women in professional sailing. SailGP is accelerating the inclusion and creating the opportunity for high-performance female sailors to compete alongside their male peers in the world's most advanced sailing league. This type of initiative will allow us to achieve true gender equity in the future.”

A dedicated women’s program manager, to be in place by January 2021, will oversee this initiative.

Additional focus will be placed on creating a more racially diverse profile for SailGP – and ultimately the sport – beginning at the grassroots and junior levels. The league will work in partnership with World Sailing, National Sailing Federations, and local sailing clubs and programs to provide opportunities to young people from a variety of backgrounds through its community outreach program, SailGP Inspire.

Gender-balanced from its inception, SailGP Inspire will provide an important pathway for young female sailors to receive training, coaching and competitive racing in WASZP foiling boats. In addition, SailGP Inspire will now add focus to offering additional entry points to both recreational and competitive sailing for racially and socioeconomically diverse youth.

Further information on the relaunch of SailGP Inspire will be announced by the end of the year.

World Sailing Head of Sustainability Dan Reading said: "We commend SailGP, the first signatory of our Special Event Sustainability Charter, for taking a leadership role in sustainable development. We look forward to working with the championship to close the participation gap among underrepresented groups and engage with a wider demographic working with the World Sailing Trust."

Additional information regarding SailGP’s diversity strategy, including internal policies and procedures aimed at cultivating an equitable and inclusive culture, can be found here.