New Zealand’s mighty All Blacks may have walked away with the Webb Ellis Cup after beating Australia 34-17 in the final at Twickenham, but there’s no doubting which nation stole the limelight during the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Japan sent shockwaves through the sporting world after a memorable 34-32 victory over South Africa in the Rugby World Cup Pool B encounter in Brighton.

Figures from the world of sport, the media and celebrities could not hide their excitement at Japan’s stunning performance on 19 September, 2015.

England’s World Cup-winning coach Sir Clive Woodward called it “the best game ever in World Cup history”. Japanese model and actress Risa Yoshiki tweeted: “And Japan won! I was transfixed from beginning to end! I can’t sleep now! Thank you to the Japanese players!”

Even J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter books, was locked to her TV screen when the “Brave Blossoms” secured the famous last-gasp victory. She tweeted to her 10 million followers: “#RSAvJPN #RugbyWorldCup You couldn't write this...”

After the 2015 tournament finished, Brett Gosper, the managing director of Rugby World Cup Limited, said: “Possibly the greatest story of 2015 has been the success of the Japanese team. The Japan-South Africa game, I’m sure they’ll make Hollywood films of that one day as they did with Miracle on Ice.

“This has been the most competitive World Cup ever and I think the performance of the Japanese inspired all the other tier two teams so we had the smallest winning margins in World Cup history.

“I’m sure 2019 will break records in some areas but it will be ground-breaking. It will look very different, feel very different and will sound different to any World Cup we have ever had.”

Japan’s victory over the Springboks was one of the most epic finishes in sport, let alone rugby, and it firmly placed Japan on the rugby map. Some might say it was fate, considering their destiny in taking over the Rugby World Cup hosting baton from England.

From Brighton to Yokohama

Two years on from that result in Brighton, Japan is busy preparing to host the Rugby World Cup in 2019 (RWC2019). Starting with the opening game at Tokyo Stadium on 20 September and finishing with the final on 2 November 2019 at Yokohama Stadium, the 2019 Rugby World Cup will feature 20 nations, 12 stadiums, 48 matches and will welcome 400,000 international fans.

As Gosper said, it’s going to be a huge moment in Japan and Asia’s rugby history. Japan will be the first Asian nation to host a Rugby World Cup and the tournament comes 10 years since 2009 when the World Rugby Council voted to award the hosting rights to the Japanese Rugby Football Union (JRFU).

There still may be two years to go until the opening kick-off on September 20, 2019, but this year is a huge one for the RWC2019 organising committee and the JRFU.

So far this year the HSBC Kitakyushu Sevens, the first ever HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series round to be played in Japan, was hosted from April 22-23 and the draw for the RWC2019 pools took place in Kyoto on May 10.

Another major milestone in 2017 was in March when a World Rugby delegation held a week of meetings in Tokyo for its third official review of Rugby World Cup 2019 hosting preparations.

Topics of discussion and plans for 2017 included the pool draw, the launch of the IMPACT Beyond 2019 legacy programme, the selection of the team camps, finalisation of the match schedule, and the announcement of ticketing programme details.

Gosper, who led the World Rugby delegation in March, said: “This is an exciting and important year in the tournament’s lifecycle. Milestones in 2017 will lay the foundation for the successful delivery of RWC2019, including the pool draw, the match schedule announcement and launch of the ticketing programme – these are all major moments that will bring the tournament to life for the teams and fans around the world.

“With an accessible ticketing programme set to be announced later this year, it is important that our friends at the Japan Rugby 2019 organising committee continue to ignite excitement throughout the host cities, who will be central to inspiring people to be a part of a once-in-a-lifetime event that has fan-experience at its core.”

Akira Shimazu, CEO of the 2019 Rugby World Cup organising committee, said: “Hosting this first tournament review meeting of 2017 marks an important phase as we begin to move from planning to delivery. The meetings were detailed, constructive and provided us with an opportunity to outline progress and be guided by World Rugby’s knowledge.

“We are doing our best to deliver a ground-breaking tournament for teams and fans in partnership with our colleagues in the host cities and the Japanese government, who fully support us.”

Refitting of FIFA World Cup venues

From the Sapporo Dome in the north to the Oita Stadium in the south, some venues chosen for the 2019 Rugby World Cup were previously used when Japan co-hosted the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

“Match venues are being refitted to be suitable for RWC performance,” a spokesperson from the organising committee told Host City. “Some venues have previous experience as FIFA 2002 sites. Others are being renovated or being newly built for the purpose.

“As for the transport links, plans are being made from this fiscal year working with local governments. With regard to the accommodations, we have already secured the necessary capacity for the teams, guests and officials.”

Legacy plans for venues and host cities will also be confirmed later this year. “JRFU and host cities feature in the legacy plan of RWC2019 and they are in the planning process targeting late 2017,” added the spokesperson. “JRFU lead rugby development across the nation with particular focus on the cities and towns that provide a match venues and/or team bases. Twelve host cities aim at making a positive impact on the society in their own context.”

Japan’s biggest event this decade

With rugby in Asia growing year on year, the Rugby World Cup organisers are optimistic that Japan 2019 can emulate the 2015 tournament held in England.

More than 400,000 international visitors are anticipated for the first Rugby World Cup to be held in Asia and strong demand is expected for the 48 matches in the 12 host venues.

Another milestone being achieved this year will be the appointment of the tournament’s official travel agents. The official travel programme for the 2019 Rugby World Cup is aiming to be more successful than England’s 2015 Rugby World Cup where more than 185,000 ticket-inclusive travel packages were sold across 48 matches.

For the 400,000 international rugby fans predicted to visit Japan, plans are in place for the creation of city activities, fan-zones and festivals throughout the tournament.

It’s not just international visitors though that Japan is hoping to attract to the 2019 tournament. With the 12 venues located throughout the length of the country it means that 75% of the Japanese population will live within one hour of a match venue.

According to the organising committee’s tournament vision the impact of hosting Japan’s biggest sporting event this decade will have a major impact for both rugby and the country’s economy. The 2019 nationwide festival of rugby activities will “further the reach and popularity of a sport that has seen an 11 million person increase in its fan-base since Rugby World Cup 2015” and the tournament is expected to deliver an estimated JP¥420 billion (US$3.82 billion) economic impact across the 12 host cities.

Huge IMPACT in Asia

It’s also at the grassroots level where rugby is gearing up to grow across Asia. Launched in May by the JRFU, Asia Rugby and World Rugby, the “IMPACT Beyond” programme pledges to attract, inspire and retain one million new players across the world’s most populous region.

Despite already having 300 million fans and 8.5 million participants in Asia, the IMPACT Beyond programme will aim to make rugby accessible and inclusive to all across Asia and convert a new generation of rugby participants in the region.

Shimazu said: “Japan is preparing to welcome the world. We are committed to Rugby World Cup and we’re aiming to deliver the best yet. It will be a celebration of rugby and of Japanese culture as we will show off the best of our country and our hospitality on a global stage.”

World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont added: “With 75 per cent of the population within an hour of a match venue or host city, everyone is welcome to be a part of what promises to be the biggest-ever festival of rugby in Asia and it is great to see so much interest from cities and prefectures as preparation accelerates within this big year for Rugby World Cup 2019.”

With big plans in place off the pitch in preparation for the 2019 spectacle, the JRFU will also be working hard to make sure the team again gets the results on the pitch when the action starts.

It’s going to take a lot of work to emulate the heroics of 2015, but the Brave Blossoms can take inspiration from the team they spectacular beat in Brighton, South Africa.

“A very inspiring movie called Invictus was made based on South Africa’s winning the 1995 World Cup,” said Shimazu, chief executive of the RWC 2019 organising committee. “Hopefully we can do similarly in 2019 to inspire Invictus II: the Japanese version.”

This article first appeared in the summer 2017 issue of Host City magazine

[Source: SportAccord Convention] SportAccord Convention, the largest global gathering covering the business of sport and attended by all international sport federations, is delighted to confirm its Principal Media Partners, Sportcal, SportsPro and Yutang Sports for its 16^th edition taking place from 15 - 20 April 2018 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Selected as Principal media partners for their unique offerings, media reach and expertise, particularly in the APAC region, they will provide media and marketing support in the lead-up to the next Convention, as well as in-depth news coverage and workshops during #SAC2018.

Sportcal has provided sports market intelligence for over 25 years and delivers sports analysis and insight to a range of global clients supported by its product suite of Intelligence Centres, data-driven Insight package, and Global Sports Impact Project.

SportsPro has served the global sports industry since 2008, providing content on the commercial, political and organisational aspects of global professional sport. Its platforms offer expert commentary and opinion, features and in-depth interviews, and the sports industry can now keep up-to-date with breaking news and analysis on the move with its recently launched SportsPro app.

Yutang Sports has been in the business of sports marketing and sponsorship services for 20 years accumulating rich expertise and a deep understanding of the ongoing transformation of the Chinese sports market. Yutang Sports will also host a dedicated Chinese language section on their website for the SportAccord Convention 2018, as well as produce video content to connect with the Chinese sports community around the globe through its multiple social media platforms.

Welcoming this year’s Principal Media Partners on-board, Nis Hatt, Managing Director of SportAccord Convention said, “We are delighted to be working with Sportcal, SportsPro and Yutang Sports again. Their continued support as well as marketing and media services will help to drive awareness and deliver up-to-the-minute sports news stories around the world.”

[Source: SportAccord Convention]

A recent Nielsen Sports report found that ‘global disruption’ is having an unprecedented effect on sport due to political, social and technological impacts. These factors are affecting where sports investment is coming from, how content is created and distributed, as well as the relationships between rights holders, sponsors and fans.

As sport is facing one of its most challenging periods yet, the #SAC2018 plenary conference will examine how sport and sponsors can unite a complex global audience through influence marketing and innovation, as well as keep fans entertained around the clock.

The initial plenary session will focus on ‘The Power of Influence Marketing’. Delegates will hear how a panel are using key influencers through live sport, endorsement, agents, event hosts, fan websites and marketing tools, to extend reach, deliver original content and influence the entire sports ecosystem.

Other sessions will include a technology update on ‘Augmenting the Sponsorship Profile’ and look at how augmented reality can help a brand to come alive, reach new audiences and deliver new experiences, both in stadiums, at home and on any number of devices. Delegates will also hear from an international sport federation on how they are using innovation to break new ground in marketing and sponsorship initiatives.

A further panel session covering ‘Socially Responsible Marketing’ will focus on what needs to be addressed when choosing commercial partners such as ethics, transparency, environmental issues, gambling, and role models; and whether sports, events and athletes should take into account what is best for society.

A round table will look at the main challenges that lie ahead for sport and sponsorship as a result of rapidly changing technology and the fragmented media landscape. Participants will discuss how to stand-out from competitors as well as keep audiences permanently entertained.

Further information can be found on the webpage Plenary Conference including the 2018 plenary conference programme, highlights from last year’s Plenary sessions including Alibaba Group – using innovation to drive sport to a new level of entertainment and fan engagement; Nielsen Sports – understanding the changing trends in audience consumption and media habits; and the International SAMBO Federation – making the most of your digital assets. Registration for SportAccord Convention 2018 is open for delegates with discounted rates available for a limited period only.

Taking place in Bangkok, Thailand from 15 – 20 April 2018, the SportAccord Convention World Sport & Business Summit is a unique opportunity for industry leaders to engage with key decision-makers involved in the business of sport. The 6-day annual Convention is attended by all the international sports federations and hosts all the General Assemblies, is supported by the IOC, and features a 3-day sell-out exhibition, an extensive Conference programme, and offers many social and networking opportunities as part of its Official Schedule.

With just under 30 days to go until the start of the 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Ashgabat, the Trivandi Chanzo team on site has surpassed the 700-mark.

More than 300 Games-experienced international staff from over 20 countries have been recruited and mobilised to Ashgabat during the last year.

These international experts have also recruited and trained over 400 national staff through the Ashgabat 2017 Games Academy to ensure a lasting human legacy of event professionals for Turkmenistan.

Trivandi Chanzo Limited (TCL) were appointed as the official ‘Operator for Games Planning and Delivery’ in June 2016 and the combined international and national TCL team represents the largest ever outsourced solution for major event planning and operations.

The 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games will be hosted in the city of Ashgabat, Turkmenistan in September and will see more than 6,000 athletes and officials from 65 delegations in Asia and Oceania participate in 351 medal events across 21 sports in 15 venues.

Jean Tomlin, CEO of Chanzo said ‘Ashgabat 2017 is showcasing the capability of people to ‘deliver brilliant’ when faced with an unprecedented challenge and at the same time leave a significant human legacy for future events in Turkmenistan’.

James Bulley, CEO of Trivandi said ‘As we complete our final preparations for the Games I am delighted that we have been able to assemble a team of such talented international and national staff to deliver the extraordinary task of planning and delivering a major multi-sport event in less than 500 days.’

Mr Dayanch Gulgeldiyev, Chairman of the 5th AIMAG Executive Committee said, ‘We are very proud of the team of international and national staff that have been working together to plan and deliver our Games to the highest international standards and showcase the capabilities of Ashgabat and Turkmenistan as a host for major sporting events now and in the future.’

Ashgabat 2017 5th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games will take place in Turkmenistan from 17 to 27 September 2017. The Games will feature 21 sports across 15 venues. Ashgabat 2017 is the first Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Games to be held in a Central Asian country.

Trivandi Chanzo is a joint venture founded by two former members of the London 2012 Organising Committee.

Trivandi, co‐founded by former London 2012 Venues and Infrastructure Director, James Bulley, are experts in providing operational planning and delivery services to major events.

Chanzo, founded by former London 2012 HR and Workforce Director, Jean Tomlin, are experts in HR, Workforce, Volunteering and international recruitment for major events.

Host City, the world leading event hosting conference, returns to Glasgow for a third consecutive year on 28 to 29 November 2017.

Paul Bush OBE, Director of Events at EventScotland and Chairman of Host City 2017, said: “I’m delighted Host City is returning to Glasgow for the third year running.

“I’ve always enjoyed attending the conference and exhibition and not just because they keep choosing to come to one of Scotland’s great cities. 

“I’m always impressed with the high-quality delegates and excellent speakers that attend Host City. The combination of exciting and relevant content means you can really delve into the issues facing the sector, while also creating more meaningful debate. It also allows for greater opportunities to network and make those all-important industry contacts.

“My expectations for this year is an exciting programme of interesting panel discussions, keynote speeches and networking opportunities with high quality delegates from the sporting, cultural and business events sector.”

The conference theme this year is High Impact Events in the Current Climate.

Paul Bush OBE said: “It is an exciting but also a challenging time for hosts of High Impact Events. The recent events in London, Manchester and the rest of the world have again brought security to the fore.

“The current security climate and the rising costs this brings is a major issue for events for all sizes, especially ones of High Impact that attract wide-spread attention and large crowds, so the session on ‘Strategies for hosting safe and accessible events’ is especially pertinent.

“Alongside the challenges there are also great opportunities. The rise in technology means that audiences engage with an event in a whole new and exciting way. The session on ‘How technology can enhance the live experience’ will be particularly apt for events adjusting to this new way of engagement and delivery.

“For High Impact Events in the current climate, dealing with these challenges while harnessing these new opportunities is vital and it’s great to see the conference programme reflecting these current issues.”

There are many benefits to staging Host City conference and exhibition, the largest meeting of cities and sports, business and cultural events.

Paul Bush said: “The economic impact of any event like this is significant. It is also a fantastic opportunity to showcase Scotland as the perfect stage for events, and for delegates to see first-hand what Glasgow has to offer.

“For us at EventScotland it is also a wonderful opportunity to welcome the international family of the events industry. We have a packed programme of major events taking place in the coming years, including the Glasgow 2018 European Championships, the 2019 European Athletics Indoor Championships and The 2019 Solheim Cup so it will be great to have some of the world’s foremost event practitioners coming to Glasgow for Host City where we’ll be able to swap ideas and discuss how we manage some of the current challenges whilst making the most of the upcoming opportunities together.

“My other expectation for this year is for a greater opportunity for delegate cross-over between Host City and our own National Events Conference, which takes place the day before Host City.”

The full transcript of a wide-ranging interview with Paul Bush will be published in the Autumn issue of Host City magazine.

[Source: Glasgow 2018] A fund of up to £750,000 has opened to artists, arts organisations and groups who want to apply to be part of the Glasgow 2018 European Championships’ cultural festival.

Festival 2018 is part of the biggest sporting event hosted in Scotland since the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. Co-hosted with Berlin, Glasgow 2018 is multi-sport event to be staged from 2 to 12 August 2018. It brings together the existing European Championships for Aquatics, Cycling, Gymnastics, Rowing and Triathlon along with a new Golf team championships. Berlin will host Athletics.

More than 3,000 of the best athletes on the continent will compete in 12 venues across Scotland including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs, North Lanarkshire and Perth & Kinross.

The Festival 2018 Fund aims to deliver a programme of broad cultural expression ranging from grassroots initiatives to large scale international projects to involve talent from across Scotland and deliver a programme with something for everyone.

Applications are invited from all art-forms including music, visual art, theatre, dance, film, literature and performance to showcase the best of Scotland’s cultural offer. Glasgow’s George Square and the Merchant City Festival will be at the heart of Festival 2018 alongside communities close to the venue areas.

The fund opened on Tuesday 25 July 2017 and closes on 6 September 2017. Applications can be made at www.glasgow2018.com/festival2018/fund. Applications will be considered in terms of quality and impact and how they reflect the European context and Glasgow’s close collaboration with co-host Berlin, the 2018 Year of Young People and the way in which arts and culture can reference and link to sport through physical movement.

The Glasgow 2018 European Championships is delivered in partnership with several leading European sports federations with support from the Scottish Government and Glasgow City Council.

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “The European Championships 2018 Cultural Festival offers an excellent platform to strengthen connections both at home and internationally. Scotland has a reputation for being a vibrant and culturally-rich nation and everyone here for the Championships will be able to sample some of this for themselves.

“As we look towards 2018 and the Year of Young People, there will also be a programme of events and activities celebrating Scotland’s many unique qualities as a great place to grow up and mark our young people’s important contribution to society. This Festival Fund will help to create new and valuable experiences for visitors and those who live here and I’m delighted to welcome this important part of the European Championships 2018.”

Leader of Glasgow City Council Susan Aitken said: “Festival 2018 will showcase and celebrate the very best of Glaswegian and Scottish culture.

“Our city has the greatest concentration of creative industries in Scotland, with more than 5,000 people employed in the cultural sector directly and more than 25,000 employed in the arts and creative industries more widely.

“This fund reflects our commitment to that sector and will help deliver a programme of activities at Glasgow’s iconic George Square; the Merchant City Festival, and many more venues across the city next year.”

Tickets for sporting events are now on sale and can be purchased from www.glasgow2018.com/tickets. Tickets are being sold on a first come first served basis, with fans encouraged to book early to avoid disappointment. 

[Source: SportAccord Convention] Sport Event Denmark, the national Danish sporting event organisation for Denmark, is the first Gold Partner to sign-up for the sixteenth edition of the SportAccord Convention due to take place in Bangkok, Thailand from 15 – 20 April 2018 at the Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld.

Sport Event Denmark helps to develop and promote sport worldwide, and hosts major international sports events and congresses in Denmark, including SportAccord Convention this year in the City of Aarhus – the European Capital of Culture 2017.

“After being co-host and Gold Partner of SportAccord Convention earlier this year, we are delighted to be a Gold Partner once again and very much looking forward to April next year. I am convinced that our friends in Thailand will host a truly fantastic Convention in the great city of Bangkok. The SportAccord Convention has made tremendous progress over the years and is the leading and must-attend sports business convention globally.” said Lars Lundov, CEO of Sport Event Denmark.

Sport Event Denmark always host a busy and vibrant booth where Peter Schmeichel dropped by during SAC2017 to meet and chat to delegates. At SAC2018, the Sport Event Denmark team will be found at Booth (no. 70) where delegates are always given a warm welcome and guaranteed to be entertained.

Commenting on the partnership, Nis Hatt, Managing Director of SportAccord Convention said, “We are delighted to have Sport Event Denmark as Gold Partners again this year. Their loyalty and support is never underestimated and Sport Event Denmark helped to deliver an outstanding 2017 Convention in Aarhus, Denmark. We very much look forward to working with them again for the SportAccord Convention in Bangkok.”

With exclusive access to the key decision-makers in sport including all the International Federations present, around 1,500 delegates will attend the SportAccord Convention and take advantage of the networking opportunities provided across the Official Schedule including social events, a 3-day exhibition and conference programme and some of the official meetings taking place. Conference programmes already available include the always popular CityAccord and LawAccord.

[Source: Lagardère Sports and Entertainment] The Commonwealth Games Federation has unveiled an innovative new Games delivery model that will transform the impact and value of hosting the Commonwealth Games through the launch of a pioneering new partnership with Lagardère Sports, one of the world’s leading media, sports and entertainment agencies.

The CGF and Lagardère Sports have launched “CGF Partnerships”, a ground-breaking new partnership that will bring together both organisations under a new entity whose core focus is on improving the support for host nations and cities to enhance the overall value of hosting the Games. In particular, the Partnership will provide support to hosts through a new event delivery model; while also developing new long-term commercial strategies and further strengthening community relations in host cities.

The new joint venture – majority-controlled by the Commonwealth Games Federation – will be led by Lord Robert Smith of Kelvin, former Glasgow 2014 Chairman, who has been appointed as the first-ever CGF Partnerships Chair. In the first instance, CGF Partnerships has been contracted to support the delivery of the next three major Commonwealth Games cycles up to 2030, but with a view to the new partnership delivery model being the foundation behind all the CGF’s major sporting events in the future.

The Commonwealth Games has recently seen a huge wave of enthusiasm and interest from countries across the Commonwealth, with Australia, Canada, England and Malaysia all continuing to develop proposals for the renewed hosting opportunity of the 2022 Games. The Commonwealth Movement was also welcomed in carnival style in the Caribbean on Tuesday night as the VIth Commonwealth Youth Games burst into life at the Opening Ceremony in the Bahamas.

A key priority for CGF Partnerships is to reduce the cost and maximise the value of the Games for hosts. This will be achieved through an innovative new Games delivery model that will see dedicated CGF Partnerships delivery teams fully integrated with host city teams, providing enhanced support, knowledge and expertise on the delivery of the Games. Access to this embedded CGF Partnership resource will help improve efficiencies and event management throughout the entire life cycle of the Games – enabling Organising Committees to get off-the-ground faster and minimising set-up costs (in areas such as technology and sales); while also ensuring know-how, intelligence and experience is carried forward from Games to Games.

In addition, CGF Partnerships will develop new and long-term commercial revenue streams for host cities, Commonwealth Games Associations and the CGF through new sponsorship, broadcast and digital rights opportunities. While another key area of focus for the Partnership will be further strengthening the engagement between potential host cities and their communities to help expand the number and variety of bids across the Commonwealth.

Welcoming the announcement, CGF President Louise Martin CBE said:

“CGF Partnerships is a historic step-change in our organisation’s focus from oversight of quadrennial Games to a standout, values-driven movement striving to connect citizens and communities through sport.

“We passionately believe there is enormous untapped potential in the successful and sustainable delivery of our major sporting events – for athletes, for teams, for host cities, for organisers, for partners, for fans. This transformative new partnership builds on what makes us truly special: inspiring, impactful and inclusive sport with a purpose.”

Former Glasgow 2014 Chairman and newly-appointed Chair of CGF Partnerships Lord Robert Smith of Kelvin said:

“The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games was a truly memorable example of the power and potential of one Games in one City and I was honoured and proud to play my part in it as Chairman of the Organising Committee. I was delighted to be asked to pick up the Games baton once again and I am very pleased to support the CGF and its partners to deliver on its next phase of ambitious development and growth.”

Welcoming the launch of the Partnership, Lagardère Sports and Entertainment CEO, Andrew Georgiou, said:

“In recent years the CGF has been ahead of the game in modernising its thinking and approach to delivering major events. Our partnership with the Federation, through CGF Partnerships, is a continuation of that work and a formalisation of our valued relationship with the CGF which goes back many years.

“Through CGF Partnerships we aim to set the template and tone for how major sporting events, across all sports and geographies, should be delivered in the future – namely in a cost-efficient, sustainable but engaging and entertaining way. 

“It’s a hugely exciting time to be involved with the Commonwealth Games.”

[Source: ICSS] During a keynote speech on smart cities and the future of sport safety and security, Michael Hershman, Group CEO of the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) highlighted the vital role that predictive technology will play in securing future major sport events and encouraged more host cities and nations to integrate smart data systems within their safety and security planning.

Speaking during the INTERPOL World 2017 conference – which brought together some of the world’s top law enforcement, government bodies, academia and international security professionals from across the public and private security sector – the ICSS Group CEO acknowledged the growing and significant security challenges facing many major sport event hosts and gave several insights into emerging trends and technologies currently being developed that could help predict potential threats and safeguard host cities and nations in the future.

Michael Hershman, ICSS Group CEO, said: “The challenge of securing high-profile international sporting events has never been greater and the security threats now facing host cities and nations around the world are now hugely complex, sophisticated and organised.

“In order to combat and prevent growing threats like cybersecurity, terrorism and hooliganism, it is important that there is a step-change in future public and private security efforts and it is vital that we urgently look at how emerging smart technology can be proactively used to support and safeguard major sport events in the future.”

During his keynote speech, Hershman highlighted examples of how emerging artificial intelligence and predictive technology can help automate, accelerate and enhance the ability to predict potential security threats, as well as emphasising how smart data and analytics can be used to identify and forecast emerging trends and risks.

He said: “As part of the ICSS’s ongoing mission, we are committed to sharing our expertise to benefit sport and, alongside key partners and organisations around the world, are working to identify new and pioneering ways to help protect and safeguard sport.

“This is why, alongside several key partners, we are in the process of developing the ICSS ARMED™ Data-Fusion System (DFS) – a comprehensive security resilience and predictive analysis platform designed to collect, integrate and analyse data to help event organizers, emergency services and law enforcement agencies predict potential threats and deliver safe and secure major events.

“As we have seen recently, technology that is used in the right way can play a pivotal role in protecting and securing large-scale major sporting events. At the ICSS, we believe strongly that there is now a clear need to help strengthen the smart data and security capabilities of major events and law enforcement agencies, as well as proactively enhance their situational awareness in the high-demanding security situations.”

Hershman concluded: “At a time where technology is playing an increasingly significant role in the lives of many people around the world, it is vital that we use it as a force for good and to enhance technical capabilities of those who secure and safeguard major international sport events.”

For more information on the ICSS and if you are interested in exploring how the ICSS ARMED™ Data-Fusion System (DFS) can help secure your major event, please visit http://www.theicss.org or contact info@theicss.org

“In my role as President of the Ligue Européenne de Natation, it has been a pleasure to enjoy two excellent major aquatics events so far this summer – the European Diving Championships in Kiev, Ukraine, and the European Junior Swimming Championships in Netanya, Israel. And still to come is the FINA World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

“It was fantastic to see Kiev host an elite European Championships in Aquatics for the first time. The event was a great success, with sold-out sessions and a great atmosphere.

“Of course, our diving continental showcase will be staged next year within the European Aquatics Championships – part of the Glasgow 2018 multisport European Championships. While co-chairing the most recent Glasgow-Berlin 2018 European Championships Board meeting in June, it was reassuring to hear from the Glasgow organisers that ticket sales are going very well for all sports – not least for our aquatics events.

“Indeed, one of the key objectives for LEN is to develop our disciplines such as swimming, synchronised swimming, open water swimming and diving by reaching out to as wide an audience as possible. Thus it was great to learn that there is such an appetite to watch these disciplines when they take place at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre, Scotstoun Sports Campus, Loch Lomond and Royal Commonwealth Pool.

“Of course, each stakeholder has some of their own individual objectives, but there is an overriding common vision that we all share: the European Championships as a new generation multisport event for European sports that will be an 11-day celebration staged every four years with a super-charging effect on our participating sports and our athletes.

“Together we are creating a must-watch and must-attend experience that elevates the Champions of Europe. We aspire to unite our sports, the public, athletes, nations; to be diverse in showcasing our sports and demonstrate that being a European Champion is a fantastic achievement; to inspire the next generation of champions and encourage the public to get involved in sport; and to continue the rich tradition of our sports so they have a long-lasting, positive impact on the sporting world-stage.

“In short, it is the ultimate multi-sport event to promote our sports on the continent.

“During our recent aquatics events, I have been speaking with our Member Federations about what a special event the European Championships will be for the athletes, and I have been reassured by the positive response of the aquatics family.

“It is our job to work with the athletes who will be competing in Glasgow to ensure they are aware of the enormity of the event. Now that the Championships are starting to be recognised, I am sure many of our European participants in Budapest will be endorsing the European Championships and giving it their full support.

“Indeed, there are so many special qualities connected to the European Championships. We must remind our sports men and women (important to say we have an almost equal gender split!) that between the participating sports – aquatics, athletics, cycling, golf, gymnastics, rowing and triathlon – there are 450 years of history surrounding our respective European Championships. We need to remind them also that to be the best at something out of a continental population of 750 million people is a pretty special achievement!

“Their achievements will be celebrated not only by the fans attending the events in Glasgow and Berlin but also by those watching on television. Our seven major sports have joined forces based on their existing power to attract broadcast viewers which will be further enhanced by packaging them together.

“One of the most important benefits for our sports is that we will benefit from an enhanced offer from our Broadcast Partner, the European Broadcasting Union – up to 1.3 billion television viewers, with many more viewers across multiple digital platforms.

“With one year to go approaching, we are all working hard to promote the inaugural event in Glasgow and Berlin – two of the most iconic sporting and cultural cities in Europe. The European Federations, the Host Cities, and the EBU are fully focused on achieving collective success, pushing the ground-breaking concept and educating everyone within our own communities and beyond.

“We aim to create an awareness and engagement amongst sports and main eventers across Europe – and we see the enormous power of social media as presenting the biggest opportunity to engage these audiences. We want everyone to share in 'The Moment' – our tagline that celebrates an event that will be the defining moment for European Champions for 2018 and beyond."

Paolo Barelli, LEN (Ligue Européenne de Natation) President and co-chair of the 2018 European Championships Board

[Source: 2018 European Championships]