What is the Department for International Trade responsible for?
“We are a UK government department working with businesses based in the United Kingdom to ensure their success in international markets, and encourage the best overseas companies to look to the UK as their global partner of choice. Trade and Investment has never been more important to the country’s economic prospects. We help UK companies of all sizes to grow their businesses through international trade by offering expert advice and practical support through a range of programmes. We also connect businesses to the world’s top commercial opportunities and drive targeted campaigns centred around them.”

Why is the major sports event sector a key focus for you?
“The budgets for the world’s Top 50 major sporting events between 2016 and 2025 are estimated to be worth a total £230 billion. With 30% of procurement made internationally, this creates a potential export market of nearly £70 billion for UK companies. Obviously the Olympic Games is a key focus for the companies we work with, but we have been encouraging them to remember that there are also opportunities to explore around the Paralympics which we feel don’t always get the exposure they deserve.”

Have UK companies been particularly successful in securing business at Rio 2016?
“The special relationship that exists between countries that host back-to-back Olympic and Paralympic Games, and enhanced through a yearly UK-Brazil dialogue which has taken place since 2012, has led to 40 UK companies winning contracts worth so far in excess of £150m from the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Some of the areas where UK companies have been successful include: Architectural and design consultancy, Olympic Park Masterplan, Venue design consultancy, Security consultancy, Engineering and sustainability consultancy, Audio and video operations, Temporary structures and event overlay consultancy, Cost Consultancy, Temporary Kitchens.”

What is the Department for International Trade’s history with the IPC Academy Campus?
“The UK government has  been involved with the IPC Academy Campus since the London 2012 Paralympics where we sponsored and hosted the Inclusion Summit which was a great success. Apart from the insightful programme and networking, it was an opportunity for us to make the event venue - Lancaster House - accessible for people with physical impairments for the first time ever through the fitting of wheelchair ramps for example. For Sochi 2014, we sponsored the Closing Cocktail Reception at the Campus.”

What will you be sponsoring specifically at the 2016 IPC Academy Campus in Rio?
“As was the case in Sochi, we will be sponsoring the Closing Cocktail Reception. This will bring proceedings of the 2016 IPC Academy Campus to a close on the relaxed roof terrace surroundings of the British House at the Shopping Metropolitano Barra. The reception will offer networking opportunities for all IPC Academy Campus participants and act as a ‘graduation ceremony’ for the Campus. Approximately 400-500 people will come together to celebrate the success of the Campus and will be the biggest event-learning gathering of major sport event organisers and their stakeholders ever held in the world. It really is a unique opportunity to rub shoulders with a wide range of people from the major events industry who have attended the Campus and also with industry people from Brazil and the UK who we will be inviting.”

Are you pleased with the engagement you have had from UK companies for the Paralympics and the Campus?
“Yes, definitely. We are bringing over a delegation of UK companies who are a mixture of ones familiar with the industry and others who are keen to explore new opportunities that may be linked to the Paralympics or other major events. In the coming weeks we will be working with them to ensure they get the most out of the trip and the opportunities that come within the unique environment of the Campus.”

What is your advice to organisations attending the IPC Academy Campus for the first time?
“What was great about the last Campus was being asked to stand up at the beginning of the Games Experience Programme and to go and speak to five new people that we had never met before. That was a great ice breaker and really got people integrating. Often people attend events like these and spend the whole time speaking to people they know already and that can be a wasted opportunity to not only to make new friends of course, but also to source new business opportunities. My advice for anyone attending Campus is to make the most of networking with the wide variety of people there and also to learn what you can from the experts who will be hosting the various elements.”

This interview was conducted by the World Academy of Sport (WAoS). Delivered by the IPC Academy – the International Paralympic Committee’s educational division created in 2009 as a partnership between the IPC and the WAoS – the 2016 IPC Academy Campus is a unique event-based learning initiative that will include an Observers’ Programme, Games Experience Programme, Inclusion Summit and Closing Cocktail Reception. The IPC Academy Campus will give stakeholders of major sports events the chance to learn from their peers during the Paralympic Games.
The IPC Academy Campus takes place in Rio de Janeiro between 6-17 September 2016. Its Event Partners include the Adecco Group and the UK’s Department for International Trade. Its Media Partners are Sportcal (Intelligence Partner), Major Events International (Digest Partner), Around the Rings (Online Partner), Host City (Magazine Partner) and AXS Chat (Social Media Partner). For further information about the the IPC Academy Campus, please visit www.ipcacademycampus.com or contact Claire Bennett, Project Coordinator, World Academy of Sport cbennett@worldacademysport.com. 
 

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has taken note of the views expressed by some concerning the timing of publication of the Agency’s independent McLaren Investigation Report, which was published by Professor Richard H. McLaren on 18 July, exposing Russian State manipulation of the doping control process; and, the Agency’s subsequent recommendations – both that led to the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) decision of 24 July.
WADA understands that the timing of the McLaren Investigation Report has been destabilizing for a number of organizations as they prepare for the Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games. However, WADA wishes to factually clarify that the Agency acted immediately on allegations concerning Russia when it had corroborated evidence and the power to do so under the World Anti-Doping Code (Code).
When German-based ARD released their first documentary in December 2014 that contained corroborated evidence, WADA quickly initiated its Independent Commission. The Commission, which was chaired by Richard W. Pound, commenced its investigation in January 2015 when WADA acquired its new powers of investigation under the 2015 Code.
“While our Independent Commission’s Report suggested that doping in Russia was likely not restricted to athletics, and that the Russian secret services (FSB) were present within the Sochi and Moscow laboratories, the Commission did not uncover concrete evidence to the effect that the Russian state was manipulating the doping control process,” said Richard W. Pound. “The Pound Commission leveraged all information that the whistleblowers had provided; and yet, there was no concrete evidence to support State manipulation.”
On 9 November 2015, the Pound Commission reported and exposed wide-spread doping in Russian athletics; and, on 10 November 2015, WADA took quick and decisive action on the Commission’s recommendations.
“It was only when CBS 60 Minutes and the New York Times, on 8 and 12 May 2016 respectively, published the allegations from the former director of the Moscow and Sochi laboratories, Dr. Grigory Rodchenkov, that WADA had concrete evidence suggesting Russian state involvement that could be investigated by initiating the McLaren Investigation, which we did immediately,” said Craig Reedie, WADA President. “This decision was endorsed by WADA’s Executive Committee and WADA’s Athlete Committee,” he continued. “It must be understood that Dr. Rodchenkov was heard several times by the Pound Commission in 2015; and that, he never provided the information that he later revealed to the New York Times in May 2016. This information was subsequently corroborated by the McLaren Investigation, which also unveiled a wider implication of the Moscow laboratory.”
“WADA’s Executive Committee – composed in equal parts by representatives of the Olympic Movement and Governments of the world – supported Professor McLaren’s independent mandate, which was to obtain evidence as quickly as possible in the interest of clean athletes,” said Reedie. “While it is destabilizing in the lead up to the Games, it is obvious, given the seriousness of the revelations that he uncovered, that they had to be published and acted upon without delay.”
“Further to the International Olympic Committee’s criteria being outlined on 24 July, WADA has facilitated the transfer of relevant information that is available to date, concerning individual athletes, from the McLaren Investigation team to International Federations,” said Olivier Niggli, Director General, WADA. “It should be noted however that Professor McLaren’s focus thus far was on establishing involvement of the Russian State and not regarding individual athletes that may have benefitted,” Niggli continued. “WADA will continue supporting anti-doping organizations by providing information as and when it becomes available via McLaren’s ongoing Investigation.”
As it relates to WADA’s process of accreditation and proficiency testing of anti-doping laboratories, it focuses on the technical abilities of laboratories. In the case of the Moscow laboratory, WADA suspended the laboratory in 2015 as soon as breaches were identified via the Pound Commission. Addressing corruption within the anti-doping system – including state or secret service interference in laboratory operations – will be one of the topics discussed during the first in a series of multi-stakeholder Think Tanks that WADA will hold in September 2016.

Source: WADA

Scotland has agreed a unique partnership with global sports, media and events organisation IMG to stage the 2019 Solheim Cup at Gleneagles, ensuring the country hosts a world-class spectacle and delivers on its key principles of equality, experience and innovation.
Appointed by VisitScotland on behalf of The Scottish Government, IMG will bring its vast expertise and experience to ensure the competition will be one of the best in the tournament’s history.
“This partnership brings together two of the world-leading brands within the global golf industry and will allow Scotland to realise the many benefits of hosting one of the most prestigious sporting events on the planet,” said First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, announcing the partnership during the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open at Dundonald Links.
“IMG’s vast experience in staging major events will ensure that Scotland stages the best-ever Solheim Cup when it visits Gleneagles in 2019 and delivers a spectator experience that is second to none.
“They share our vision of an open and inclusive event and will work alongside us to show that in Scotland golf is a family-orientated game that is open to everyone. We want to use The 2019 Solheim Cup to encourage greater participation among women, young people and families and IMG’s strong track record in the women’s game will help us to achieve this.”
The Solheim Cup is the biggest event in women’s golf, pitting European and US teams against each other in a team format which mirrors that of The Ryder Cup. Scotland was awarded the right to host The 2019 Solheim Cup in October 2015 following a successful bid led by VisitScotland. Responsibility for delivering the event on behalf of The Scottish Government will sit with the EventScotland team within VisitScotland’s events directorate.
 “IMG is one of the most experienced sports events organisations in the world and, having worked with them over the years on various projects, we are confident their professional and innovative approach will help us to deliver the best Solheim Cup to date and one of the best sporting occasions to be hosted in Scotland,” said Paul Bush OBE, Director of Events at VisitScotland.
“We are proud to have played a role in enhancing the Ryder Cup brand with the 2014 staging in Scotland and look forward to doing the same with the Solheim Cup through this partnership with IMG.
“After a thorough procurement process, IMG stood head and shoulders above the other candidates in terms of their experience, in-house resources and their standing and experience within the golf industry. They share our key principles in the bid of equality, experience and innovation and we are very much looking forward to working together.”
IMG operate in more than 30 countries with unrivaled experience in event delivery. IMG’s Golf Division has staged more than 750 golf events and their current portfolio includes over thirty tournaments staged annually around the globe. The organisation has previous experience of delivering major golf events in Scotland through their work with the Ricoh Women’s British Open and the Johnnie Walker Championship over many years.
“We are delighted to have been chosen to partner with VisitScotland to deliver the 2019 Solheim Cup,” said Guy Kinnings, Global Head of IMG Golf.
“It is a fantastic challenge to deliver a Solheim Cup in Scotland following the success of the 2014 Ryder Cup. Our team can’t wait to get started on this exciting project and we look forward wholeheartedly to working with the considerable resources within the Scottish government to ensure that this Solheim Cup delivers in every aspect.”
The event is regarded as the biggest tournament in women’s golf and sees the best female professional golfers in Europe competing against their United States counterparts, attracting a huge worldwide audience and media profile for the host country.
“We welcome the appointment of IMG to partner with Scotland on the staging of the 2019 Solheim Cup,” said Ivan Khodabakhsh, Chief Executive of the Ladies European Tour.
“We are confident it is in excellent hands and look forward to an event that will continue to enhance the reputation of the women’s game on an international stage and inspire many more women and juniors to get involved in the sport.”
 

LaLiga will be taking a huge presence at Soccerex as part of an expanded institutional partnership with Soccerex ahead of the Soccerex Global Convention 2016, taking place at the Manchester Central Convention Complex, 26th-28th September.
As part of the deal, LaLiga will be sponsoring the Soccerex VIP Lounge, which will be rebranded to the LaLiga Lounge, as well as featuring on a number of the event’s conference programme sessions and having a stand on the exhibition floor.  
President Javier Tebas will be speaking on the ‘International League Expansion’ panel alongside NFL Executive Vice President for International, Mark Waller, and will be opening up on the league’s global development plans, whilst Fernando Sanz, LaLiga’s General Director for MENA and International Projects, will be supporting this with a presentation on LaLiga’s international growth strategies.
Also featuring on the conference programme will be Adolfo Bara, Sales & Marketing Director, who will lift the lid on the league’s ever expanding sponsorship portfolio, Ignacio Trujillo, Managing Director Innovation & Global Development, who will be speaking on how best to maximize digital content, and Pedro Malabia, Head of Women’s Football, who will be talking about LaLiga’s commitment to the women’s game. 
LaLiga’s enhanced participation at Soccerex comes at a momentous time for the league as it seeks to match its period of on-field prosperity off the pitch, including a new broadcasting rights restructuring that will expand LaLiga’s global footprint into new territories and captivate new audiences.  The Convention provides the perfect platform not only for LaLiga to broaden its presence in the global football industry but also for brands and organizations seeking to greater their involvement in Spanish football, and meet with the necessary stakeholders. 
Soccerex CEO Duncan Revie commented: “We are thrilled to have agreed an expanded partnership with LaLiga, one of the most exciting and forward-thinking organisations in world football.  With so much fantastic work ongoing at the league, we are very pleased to be providing a platform for LaLiga to showcase their international development and I have no doubt their comprehensive participation at the event will provide excellent value for our delegates.”
LaLiga President Javier Tebas said: “As ever, the opportunity to be involved with Soccerex and the many high-level industry professionals that it attracts is a very exciting one for LaLiga. In terms of sporting competitiveness we are the best league in the world and now we want to expand the league into new markets and are delighted to be using our participation in Soccerex help us fulfill these ambitions.  This is a time of great opportunity for all involved with LaLiga and I am sure the Convention will further strengthen this message.”
LaLiga will be part of a thought-provoking conference programme at the Soccerex Global Convention 2016, designed to deliver unique business insight across a variety of key sectors and subject matters ranging from sponsorship and fan engagement to the technological innovations and stadium development. For more information on the programme, click here.
The event will also feature unparalleled networking opportunities, via a market-leading international exhibition and a mix of targeted and structured networking sessions.  A programme of social events completes the agenda for what is widely acknowledged as the world’s leading football business event. 
For more information on Soccerex please visit www.soccerex.com, call +44 (0)20 8987 5522 or email us at enquiry@soccerex.com.
Source: Soccerex
 

HOST CITY: What prompted De Boer to commission the study of event professionals’ views about the state of the events industry? 
John Cochrane: We have to listen to our peers and potential customers to really understand what we have to do keep ahead of the game. This independent study provided objective views for us to consider with open minds. De Boer listens to the market, which is essential for us to make progress.

HOST CITY: 2015 saw the number of events increase. What do you think drove this growth and can we expect this positive trend to continue? 
John Cochrane: The UK has been in a fairly positive mood for the past few years, given a real springboard by the London Olympic Games in 2012, and so there is great faith and trust in our Event Industry to make these events as positive as possible. 
In short, if someone is prepared to fund an event in the UK, the chances are it will not be a waste of money and effort. Provided we keep delivering good service and the political climate stays calm, there is no reason to believe this pattern of growth will stop.

HOST CITY: The event professionals surveyed said third party suppliers – especially temporary structure specialists – were central to making 2015 a successful year. How has De Boer in particular contributed to this positive trend?
John Cochrane: De Boer has a terrific range of innovative and structurally impressive temporary buildings. We are fortunate to be involved with some of the most high profile projects in the world and so a there is an extended audience who can see what we do. 
Event professionals speak to each other and they really know what is going on in the business and who to go to for quality and service.

HOST CITY: Good breadth of experience topped the list of qualities valued in suppliers. How important is a diverse portfolio to De Boer’s success? 
John Cochrane: It is very important to De Boer to have a flexible approach to business. Our experience has been growing for over 92 years, from private parties for 50 guests to 85,000 sqm of temporary cover at The Farnborough International Air Show, and everything in between. 
Diverse events exist and have to be serviced with a diverse portfolio of materials and experience. At De Boer we can do that really well.

HOST CITY: The survey highlighted recruitment as an area of concern for 2016. How challenging is it for the events industry to hire and retain high calibre employees? 
John Cochrane: I don’t know how difficult it is for the events industry in general because each company has a different set of values to maintain. 
At De Boer we always look for integrity, enthusiasm and a good attitude. People like this do exist and we are pleased to be able to attract their attention with our reputation and existing long serving workforce as happy examples of what could be in store if they ‘join up’.

HOST CITY: How can temporary structure specialists work with developments in technology and social media to boost the events sector? 
John Cochrane: Every industry specialist has to keep in step with technology and social media. At De Boer we make the most of our international colleague’s experience to understand that what can work for us in Barcelona for example, could work equally well for us in Birmingham or Berlin. 
This very tangible link with our European and international business units means that we are more aware of any technological developments that could and do help to boost business.
 

Some of the most prestigious sports events in the world take place not in city centres or in purpose built stadiums, but on beautiful beaches, harbours and green field sites. 
The host location of the America’s Cup is determined by sporting factors rather than the availability of electricity. Red Bull Air Race, one of world’s fastest growing international sporting events, also makes use of non-urban locations. 
But thanks to modern technology, events like these can now provide the same level of broadcasting and hospitality as any city-based event. 

Giving Red Bull consistency
According to David de Behr, Head of Global Events at Aggreko – the leading provider of mobile, modular power – the Red Bull Air Race was identified as a growing flagship event where there was an opportunity to integrate early and provide support. 
Discussions between Aggreko and Red Bull Air Race began in 2014 and the companies quickly found a lot of connection points. By 2015, Aggreko was working on four races with Red Bull, one of which was on a beautiful beach site at Rovinj in Croatia. 
“This was not easy, because they put giant screens on pontoons on the water for people on the beach to watch,” de Behr tells Host City.
“It was also a very large area to cope with, because the temporary airport is always quite a long way from the public.”
Organisers needed to be able to rely on the power supply but the local grid couldn’t meet the high capacity and reliability needed for the event.
“It’s all about consistency and reliability,” says Kevin Brownhill, Head of Partnership and Sponsorship at Aggreko Global Events. 
“We worked closely with Red Bull Air Race to provide the consistency they need. Not in terms of deliverables – because that is a given with us, regardless of what we are powering whether over water or in an isolated green field site, or a small or large event – it’s about giving them peace of mind. They know we are there for them.”
Mike Hoeshl, Head of Production at Red Bull Air Race tells Host City why Aggreko was selected to power the series.
“The Red Bull Air Race World Championship is a fast-paced, low altitude race travelling all over the world to thousands of fans. Aggreko helps us to get to this point by supplying all of special energy solutions in a high quality and professional way.”
“We are guaranteed the same level of service for all of our temporary power solutions all over the world, which is the reason why we have selected Aggreko as official power supplier of the Red Bull Air Race.”

Powering new markets
After successfully partnering on four events in 2015, Red Bull Air Race has renewed its agreement with Aggreko for 2016 and the company is now providing power for the whole tour.
“We have major power projects in various places around the world, some supporting the national grid and some providing emergency power,” says David.
“Japan, where we provide industrial power after the Fukushima disaster, is a relatively young market for us, but it provided an ideal opportunity to power Red Bull using the local businesses. Red Bull in Japan gets a turnkey design package, which Aggreko in Japan can prepare well in advance. This is where local expertise comes into its own, like bringing equipment through customs, for instance.”
The advantages for Aggreko of taking its events business to new markets outweigh any difficulties. “Although we currently don’t have a large events business in Japan, what we do have provides great opportunities for the events that are coming up there, such as the Olympic Games, the Rugby World Cup and the Japan leg of the America’s Cup,” said Brownhill.
“The events market is growing throughout Asia, so our experience of major events elsewhere, together with the power projects we are doing in Asia, lets everyone see that we know what we’re doing and what it’s like to work with us.”
One of the challenges in Asia is changing the mind-set from buying power assets to renting, says de Behr. “Renting is a win-win solution for all concerned, and Red Bull helps us get that message across”.

Cirque du Soleil
Aggreko also provides power and HVAC for the world’s largest touring circus.
“When looking for power solutions, we look to obtain highest standard of quality at the lowest operational cost,” says Janick Wolput, Vice President of Touring Shows at Cirque du Soleil. 
“The comfort of our patrons and the efficiency of our operations are at the heart of our approach. Cirque du Soleil believes that Aggreko is able to deliver the best global rental power and HVAC solution for its touring shows.”

Sailing towards Bermuda
Aggreko has been involved in another high profile event, the America’s Cup, since it was held in San Francisco in 2013. Aggreko also delivered an America’s Cup World Series event for the organiser TEAMORIGIN in Portsmouth in 2015 and has signed a contract to do this again in 2016. 
“When it was announced that Portsmouth was going to stage it in 2016 and when Ben Ainslie became involved, as a UK company we were keen to be involved,” says Brownhill.
Jeremy Troughton, Operations Director, Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series Portsmouth tells Host City: “This will be our second year working with Aggreko as the official supplier of power and temperature control for the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series Portsmouth.
“Their pre-event planning, working with us and every supplier that required power on site, is unrivalled and their delivery when it came to the event itself took the pressure of the event team in delivering these essential services. Aggreko are essential to enable us to deliver a successful event and it great to know we are in safe hands once again and we are looking forward to building on the great relationship we started at last year’s event”. 
Aggreko now is now looking ahead to the America’s Cup in 2017 in Bermuda. “It’s not just about power though. The teams need air conditioning, as well as power, for the old naval base where they are based for 18 months leading up to the final set of races in 2017,” says Brownhill.

High flying hospitality
The high level of hospitality at Red Bull Air Race and America’s Cup is another benefit of partnering with these events. 
“The hospitality the Red Bull Air Race offers is very similar to Formula One type level of hospitality, with some very well-known faces there,” says Brownhill.
“We can bring guests from other parts of our events business that we are looking to try and do business with; and part of our relationship with Red Bull is that we can take them back of house and show them what we do.” 
The America’s Cup offers an incredibly high level of hospitality. “It was really quite spectacular; you are literally on the sea front facing the racing; it’s a great thing for us to be involved in and very high profile.”

The power to engage audiences
And when there is no immediate action taking place, a reliable power supply enables constant audience engagement. “People tend to think just of the centrepiece action at events, but there is so much more besides,” says Brownhill.
“The America’s Cup hosted evening concerts last year, and there are stunt performances that take place right over the crowd in the Red Bull Air Race that also need power.”
Ensuring broadcasters have the power capacity they need is also a crucial part of Aggreko’s remit. “Social media is becoming ever more important and broadcasters now cover events in a variety of different ways,” said de Behr.
“We provide broadcast power to ensure all types of media are catered for. Red Bull is especially creative and strong in this area.”

The Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2008 is often talked about in terms of China opening up to the world – not just its economy, but its society too.
“The main legacy of the Games in China was to create visibility of people with an impairment in China,” Xavier Gonzalez, CEO of the International Paralympic Committee told a select group of journalists at SportAccord Convention. 
“I think 350,000 spectators with an impairment came to the Games. The coverage of the Games in China was very extensive. And the government created an accessible environment in the city with many improvements in public transport and roads; it helped to create visibility. That was the main legacy of the Games in Beijing: to showcase one tenth of the population of China and make them visible.”
Attitudes towards disability in China are continuing to develop long after the Games. “We have seen a huge interest and support from part of the Chinese authorities and our National Paralympic Committee. Leading up to Beijing 2008 and since then, China has maintained a high level of development,” said Gonzalez.
Of course, every host is different. Chris Solly, Director of World Academy of Sport, the educational partner organisation of the IPC, said:  “You’ve got to know where your society is; research and understand how people perceive people with an impairment in the country.
“London is very different to where Sochi and Russia was, for example. You’ve got to work out how to make it happen in your own environment.”
Local media is crucial to raising the profile of Paralympics and people with impairment within the host nation. The London 2012 Paralympic Games was broadcast by Channel Four, which ran an award-winning “Superhumans” marketing campaign and achieved record viewing figures. 
The official broadcaster of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games is Globo Group, with its SportTV channel broadcasting all 12 days of action and Globo TV screening more coverage than ever before. 
“Channel Four and O Globo are two different media – they do it in different ways. That’s what we want, because it’s a totally different cultural environment,” said Gonzalez.
Asked whether he is still concerned about Rio’s delayed preparations to host the Games, Gonzalez said, “One of the advantages that we have is that everything they do for the readiness of the Olympics helps us. We always say the Olympics is our test event! 
“Yes, the preparations are moving forward, yes are some of them are a little but last minute. We just came back from the Coordination Commission and we have seen a lot of progress but a lot of work needs to be done. At the moment we are very confident that we will have a very good Games.
“The most important thing from our point of view is to try and do things as soon as possible. The big difference we have seen in Rio, which is not only an issue for the organising committee but the overall context of the country, is that it’s better to have certain things earlier on. 
“What we are going to take from this is that we and the IOC need to increase the support that we provide to the organising committees to make sure that the message is very clear and they can focus on the important things at the appropriate times.”
During the Paralympic Games, the IPC and the World Academy of Sport are staging the 2016 IPC Academy Campus, an educational and conference programme that gives insight into the complexities of organising and maximising the benefits from major sporting events.
Telling Host City about the Academy Campus, Gonzalez said “We bring people from previous Games and we incorporate the local context, and we incorporate people from the next Games and bidding cities to participate also in the programme; we look forward to the development of the Games.”
Looking ahead to PyeongChang 2018, the Olympic Games that follows Rio, the IPC is already looking to maximise synergies with Samsung, the IPC’s Worldwide Paralympic Partner in the Wireless Communications Equipment. 
“In London, Samsung were very creative in the way they activated social media, which helped the IPC too. They’ve got much bigger databases than an organising committee, so they’re an integral part of how we deliver the programmes.”
The next Winter Games after PyeongChang will be in Beijing, where there is a big opportunity to develop Paralympic winter sport. China has yet to win a medal in any Paralympic Winter Games, but development is underway. 
“We are very excited about how quickly the Chinese authorities have engaged with the development of Paralympic winter sport,” says Gonzalez. “In winter sport we have seen activities in alpine skiing, in ice sledge hockey. We are trying to build sports in China across the country.”

What’s happening at the 2016 IPC Academy Campus 
The 2016 IPC Academy Campus will include a Games Experience Programme, Observers’ Programme and Inclusion Summit.
The IPC Academy Games Experience Programme (GEP) is a three day conference on 12-14 September focusing on the following topics: “Winning Strategies for Major Sport Events”, “The making of a Successful Host City” and “Marketing & Broadcasting” followed by site visits to related competition and non-competition venues.
The IPC Observers’ Programme, taking place between 6-17 September, includes a series of educational activities and roundtable sessions for event organisers with visits to all competition venues and the most important non-competition venues and specialised activities.
The IPC Academy Inclusion Summit on 15-16 September targets learning at the policy level, for business leaders policy makers and the Paralympic movement to discuss inclusion and accessibility
 

The IOC Executive Board on Tuesday said it will no longer back the 2019 European Games, set to take place in Russia, and has asked all Winter Olympic Sports Federations to find alternative host nations for any upcoming events. 
These immediate decisions are part of a number of IOC responses to the World Anti-Doping Association (WADA)’s “Independent Person” report into doping in Russia. 
“The IOC will not organise or give patronage to any sports event or meeting in Russia. This includes plans for the European Games 2019 organised by the European Olympic Committees (EOC),” the IOC Executive Board said in a statement. 
“Because of the detailed references to the manipulation of samples during the Olympic Winter Games Sochi 2014 the IOC asks all International Olympic Winter Sports Federations to freeze their preparations for major events in Russia, such as World Championships, World Cups or other major international competitions under their responsibility, and to actively look for alternative organisers,” it added.
“The findings of the report show a shocking and unprecedented attack on the integrity of sports and on the Olympic Games,” said IOC President Thomas Bach. “Therefore, the IOC will not hesitate to take the toughest sanctions available against any individual or organisation implicated.”
The report, by “independent person” Richard McLaren was instigated after Grigory Rodchenkov, former director of Russia’s Moscow and Sochi antidoping laboratories, blew the whistle on cover-ups.
“WADA is grateful to Richard McLaren, his team, and other contributors that, together, helped provide us with a fact-based path forward today as it relates to allegations and other information provided by Dr. Rodchenkov,” said Sir Craig Reedie, President of WADA said in a statement.
“Shamefully, the McLaren Report corroborates the allegations, exposing a modus operandi of serious manipulation of the doping control process in the satellite laboratory set up in Sochi for the 2014 Games; and, the Moscow laboratory since 2011 and after the Sochi Games.
“Not only does the evidence implicate the Russian Ministry of Sport in running a doping system that’s sole aim was to subvert the doping control process, it also states that there was active participation and assistance of the Federal Security Service and the Center of Sports Preparation of National Teams of Russia.”
The IOC has now started “disciplinary actions related to the involvement of officials within the Russian Ministry of Sports and other persons mentioned in the report because of violations of the Olympic Charter and the World Anti-Doping Code”.
The Report could result in a complete ban on Russian athletes participating in the 2016 Olympic Games, due to start in Rio de Janeiro on 5 August. 
In the statement, the IOC said it will “carefully evaluate the IP Report. It will explore the legal options with regard to a collective ban of all Russian athletes for the Olympic Games 2016 versus the right to individual justice. In this respect, the IOC will have to take the CAS decision on 21 July 2016 concerning the IAAF rules into consideration, as well as the World Anti-Doping Code and the Olympic Charter.”

For the full IOC Executive Board statement click here. 

The Wembley Cup final, which took place for the first time last year in Wembley Stadium as a match between leading YouTube football content creators, is to be open to the public in 2016 – and the live event will now feature football legends. 
The Wembley Cup is a YouTube series launched by Wembley partners EE in 2015, featuring the leading online video channel’s top “vloggers”. 
From August this year, the eight-part series will document the journey of YouTube phenomenon Spencer Owen (Spencer FC) and fellow YouTuber Joe Weller as they vie to build a team strong enough to take the title, competing in a series of tough and entertaining physical challenges in the build-up to the final on 2 September. 
This year, for the first time, fans will be able to buy tickets to the live final at Wembley stadium with over 30,000 tickets on sale.
The profile of the series has been raised further still by the inclusion of six EA SPORTS FIFA Legends who will push the YouTubers to their sporting limits during the episodes and play in the final match. 
England football legend Robbie Fowler and former French international midfielder Robert Pirès are the first names confirmed to be taking part.
At the final, EE will be making this year’s competition the most immersive yet by placing the power firmly in the hands of audience in the stadium. Fans attending will be able to shape the teams and make decisions through social media.
“Following on from the incredible reaction to last year's Wembley Cup, we’re super excited to be bringing it back with EE,” said Spencer Owen, founder of YouTube channel Spencer FC.
“Our challenge this time around was to make it even bigger and better than in 2015.  We feel that with the amazing football and YouTube talent we have on-board – culminating in a live final with a proper crowd at Wembley – it’s going to make for a very entertaining series.”
Max Taylor, MD of digital, comms and innovation at EE said: “With over 30 million views amassed for last year’s Wembley Cup, the challenge for 2016 was to make it even bigger and better and with over 30,000 tickets going on sale today for the live final, we are inviting our customers and football fans down to the event for the first time. 
“The Wembley Cup has become a big part of how we activate our partnership with Wembley Stadium and we’re delighted to be supporting the stadium’s official charity partner, The Bobby Moore Fund.  The hugely popular YouTube series is also the perfect opportunity for us to bring to life our offer of six months free access to the BT Sport app for customers which launches later this month.”
esports are of growing important to FIFA, which stages an annual competition of football video games called the FIFA Interactive World Cup in partnership with EA SPORTS and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. 
James Salmon, Senior Product Marketing Manager for EA SPORTS FIFA in the UK said: “We’re delighted to be supporting The Wembley Cup and look forward to seeing how the FIFA Ultimate Team Legends get on against YouTube’s biggest stars.” 

Organised as part of the IPC Academy Campus (in partnership with the World Academy of Sport), the Inclusion Summit will provide the ultimate forum to bring together business leaders, governments and the Paralympic Movement. Together they will discuss inclusion and accessibility, their impact on society, and how the Paralympic Games have developed into the world’s number one sporting event for driving social inclusion.

Alongside Sir Philip and McClain-Nhlapo, other confirmed speakers include Andrew Parsons, Vice President of the IPC & President of the Brazil National Paralympic Committee; Carlos Nuzman, Chairman, Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games; and Eduardo Paes, Mayor of Rio de Janeiro.

Carla Qualtrough, Canada’s Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities; Kihong Kim, Vice Secretary General for Games Planning, PyeongChang 2018; and Eiichirou Kodama, Senior Director General, Co-ordination Division, Bureau of Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games Preparation, will also share their expertise with a variety of high level delegates from across the major events industry globally.

Further esteemed speakers will include Dan Brooke, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer at Channel 4;; Bruno Ramos, Regional Director of the Americas Region at the International Triathlon Union; Magnus Berglund, Accessibility Director, Scandic Hotels; Srin Madipalli, CEO, Accomable; Neil Milliken, Head Of Accessibility & Digital Inclusion, Atos; Catherine Holloway, Senior Lecturer at University College London; Stephen Frost, Principal, Frost Included; and Todd Nicholson, Chairman for the IPC Athletes’ Council.

The Summit will be divided into three segments:

• Understanding Inclusion (Policy Setting)
• Inclusive Leadership (Strategy adopted in past and future host cities)
• Delivering Inclusion (Operations, how inclusion has been applied).

A must-attend Cocktail Reception will bring proceedings to a close on 16 September and allow attendees to network with all participants of the Campus, which also includes an IPC Observers’ Programme and Games Experience Programme. 

The event’s Media Partners are Sportcal, Major Events International, Around the Rings, Host City and AXS Chat.

For further information about the Inclusion Summit or any other programme in the IPC Academy Campus, please visit www.ipcacademycampus.com or contact Claire Bennett, Project Coordinator, World Academy of Sport cbennett@worldacademysport.com.