2012 Daily - Day 1 - SportAccord Convention Quebec City 2012

>inside 2

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>Good governance

>Ten years of sport

Stephen Townley on the big debates at LawAccord

>changing lives

Can sport claim to be in a healthier state than a decade ago?

Tim Shriver on the development of the Special Olympics

The>Daily

your guide to what’s happening today at the Québec city sportaccord convention www.sportaccordconvention.com

Monday, may 21, 2012

Welcome to sport’s No.1 gathering

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portAccord Convention Chairman Hein Verbruggen has hailed Québec City’s preparations as “perfect” and backed the 10th anniversary event to enable more top-level networking opportunities than ever before.

More than 50 meetings have been organised beyond the parameters of this week’s main programme, which starts today before the LawAccord Convention and City Forum events take place on Tuesday and the conference starts on Wednesday.

For Verbruggen, the packed schedule is evidence that, as it arrives in Canada, SportAccord Convention has become global sport’s No.1 meeting place.

“The original idea behind SportAccord Convention was that we would cram all of those meetings into one week and then we could all be more efficient and cost-effective, and it is really impressive that so many have been scheduled this year,” Verbruggen said.

“From the beginning that was one of the main reasons why we started it. But we also realised the platform it would offer to cities.”

Québec City is an ideal setting for such a hub of activity, according to Verbruggen. “The ambience of a city can have a positive impact

on the Convention and I certainly think that is going to be the case here,” he added.

“It is going to be comfortable to meet here, but it’s also going to be very pleasant. It’s a very nice city and not too big, and the feedback I’ve had from IFs has been very positive.

“I really mean it when I say the organisation has been really perfect here in Québec City.

“We had high hopes that it would be good and, as this is the 10th anniversary event, it is always one we wanted to be extra special.

“We’re so happy we’ve chosen this city for the 10th anniversary SportAccord Convention because they are really living up to our expectations.”

The theme of this year’s Convention is: “A decade of change, a future of promise.”

Verbruggen is hoping this year’s Convention will provide an opportunity for leading decisionmakers to engage in discussions about how sport can influence the wider society for the next 10 years, and beyond.

“Sport plays a key role in society, and I hope that will be confirmed here this week,” he added.

“It is not only about organising an event. It is also about what sport can contribute towards the development of society; for the poor, for children, for older people and for peace.”

networking for success Québec City offers a perfect location to ensure networking at this year’s SportAccord Convention is more fruitful than ever, according to the

event’s Executive Director, Anna Hellman. “This is the first time that we are not in a single hotel, but everything is within just a few short

minutes’ walk in a wonderful city for walking and meeting fellow delegates,” she said.  Full interview with Anna Hellman – P6

positive Hein Verbruggen at the 2012 SportAccord Convention

@saconvention

issue 1

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the daily

The Daily is produced by Squires Media – Editorial, Communications and Publishing for the International Sporting Community - www.squiresmedia.com Editor: Journalists:

Rory Squires Simon Redfern, Aman Dhanoa, Gavin Day Kamila Hinkson, George Menexis

Do you have a story? Come and see us in person in the press area or email editor@squiresmedia.com with your news.

Do you want to comment on anything at SportAccord Convention? Include the #SACon ‘hashtag’ on your Twitter post so we can pick up your thoughts.

#SACon poll

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Should rights-holders such as governing bodies and IFs do more to ensure event host cities do not go over-budget?

Tweet YES or NO, including #SACon – the result will be in your issue of The Daily tomorrow

port is in danger of losing its legal privileges unless it can demonstrate to the world that it is doing its utmost to ensure good governance principles are in practice across the industry.

That is the message from Stephen Townley, Chair of the 2012 LawAccord Convention, ahead of tomorrow’s event, which will ask the key question: “What is good governance in sport and why does it matter?�

LawAccord has assumed an increasingly prominent and important role at the Convention over the past few years, and this year’s event will tackle a topic that has been on the front as well as back pages of newspapers over the past year. “The relevance of law to sport has grown exponentially to the point where there is no comparison to how it was 10 years ago,�

Townley said. “You can’t move in the sports industry nowadays without being aware of the legal ramifications. “Sport does enjoy a privileged position, and to some extent it has been allowed to self govern outside public law systems.

However, sport is in danger of losing its special status unless it is run properly. “Public confidence in certain aspects of sport administration has taken a serious dent, and this year’s LawAccord program is about helping sport to identify ways to restore that confidence.

warning LawAccord’s Stephen Townley “There is a great deal of interest in Europe from the Council of Ministers on the subject of good governance. If sport doesn’t get its act together and take responsibility for vast sums of money, it is in danger of supporting criminal activities. “So this year’s LawAccord program is focusing on a very current and important issue. However, rather than talking about it in an academic sense, we will debate propositions.�

The programme will be structured around two debates: Debate 1: What does good governance require of sports governing bodies?

Debate 2: Does good governance keep sport out of court?

This year’s stellar line-up of participants includes World Anti-Doping Agency Director General David Howman and

‘Sport does enjoy a privileged position... however, sport is in danger of losing its special status unless it is run properly’ – Stephen Townley Court of Arbitration for Sport VicePresident Michael Lenard. LawAccord will be held at the Hilton Hotel from 08:30am to 12:30pm tomorrow.

SportAccord Convention delegates can attend LawAccord for free, but must register their participation in advance as capacity is limited. To register, visit www.regonline.co.uk/Register/Checkin. aspx?EventID=1055213 and for further information about the program, visit the www.sportaccordconvention.com website.

The SportAccord World Mind Games will return to Beijing later this year with the aim of building on the success of the inaugural event in the same city in China in December 2011.

According to SportAccord, the multi-sport event is dedicated to the “gymnasium of the mind�. Last year, some of the world’s top players gathered in Beijing to compete in Chess, Bridge, Draughts, Go and Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) and expectations are high that the second edition of the Games will be even more memorable.

The first event fulfilled the goals SportAccord had set out for the Games – namely to stage an event that satisfied the participating players and International Federations; to secure worldwide television coverage; and to attract a large number of people to an online tournament linked to the event.

SportAccord has specified four new goals for the second edition in December and for future editions of the Games: ď Źâ€…To develop educational initiatives in schools and universities in China and abroad; ď Źâ€…To develop internet competitions in China and internationally and select online winners to compete alongside the event’s top players; ď Źâ€…To develop so-called ‘edu-tainment’ television programmes that will focus on young people and will promote the host city; ď Źâ€…To develop a ‘festival’ concept, allowing some of the competition stages to take place in local schools.

For more information, visit: www. worldmindgames.net

three is the magic number

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atrick Baumann, the Secretary General of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), believes the sport’s innovative 3x3 format has the potential to bring together some 250 million recreational players worldwide.

FIBA started to develop the variant of the traditional five-on-five format five years ago, and the 2010 Singapore Youth Olympic Games featured the three-on-three discipline before the inaugural FIBA 3x3 Under-18 World Championship took place last year in Rimini, Italy. This summer the format will go on the road with the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Masters staging two-day events in Brazil, Russia, the USA, Turkey and Spain before the 16 top teams participate in the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Final on September 22-23 in Miami, USA. With growth of the game on the agenda, over the coming days FIBA will launch a 3x3planet community website, a mobile application and free 3x3 event management software in a bid to “create the biggest online sports community in the world� and spread the word of 3x3 globally. “There are literally millions of players worldwide – something in the range of 250 million – practising basketball on playgrounds and community courts, but the rules vary and nobody has managed to bring them together

aim FIBA’s Patrick Baumann

as a single movement,� Baumann said. “This is something that clearly falls within our mission of developing and promoting the game of basketball, as well as uniting the basketball community. “We also believe that although 3x3 is a different discipline, it can benefit traditional basketball immensely. With less space and infrastructure required to play the game, it gives

en français

Patrick Baumann, le SecrĂŠtaire GĂŠnĂŠral de le FĂŠdĂŠration Internationale de Basketball, pense que le nouveau format du jeu de trois contre trois a la possibilitĂŠ de rassembler environ 250 million joueurs pratiquant le sport par loisir

en français

Le sport est menacÊ de perdre ses avantages juridiques s’ils ne peuvent pas demontrer au monde que de bons principes de gouvernance sont appliquÊs à travers l’industrie, selon Stephen Townley, Chef du 2012 LawAccord

scots’ eyes on the prize EventScotland Chief Operating Officer Paul Bush is determined to take a targeted approach to bringing top sporting events to the country.

Scotland’s diary is becoming increasingly packed, with the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games and Ryder Cup golf at Gleneagles preceding the following year’s World Artistic Gymnastics Championships and International Paralympic Committee Swimming European Championships in Glasgow and the World Orienteering Championships in Inverness.

Glasgow, with the assistance of EventScotland, the country’s events agency and a SportAccord Convention Silver Partner, is also preparing a bid for the 2018 Youth Olympic Games.

However, Bush is adamant that EventScotland’s focus should continue to be on quality, rather than quantity. “Quite a lot of host cities have struggled to marry delivery with long-term legacy,� said Bush, who worked as a top-level swimming coach before becoming Chief Executive of Scottish Swimming and then Chef de Mission for the Scotland team at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. “Some people go into it a bit blindly, saying ‘we need to go and get this event’. “But we will assess the impact of an event, primarily around economic development, but also performance development and the cultural aspect. Lots of appropriate events are currently

success is in mind

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on the radar, and we have a huge desire to secure the Tour de France Grand DĂŠpart in 2017.â&#x20AC;?

Just a week before the start of this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s SportAccord Convention, EventScotland outlined its plans to develop a bid proposal for the start of the famous cycling race in five yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; time. The proposal will be developed in partnership with British Cycling and UK Sport.

Details about the proposed route are yet to be finalised, but the initial plan is to stage the Grand DĂŠpart in Edinburgh before the peloton heads south. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Scotland is the perfect stage for events, and I think our track record proves that,â&#x20AC;? Bush said.

Picture courtesy of FIBA

sportaccord convention quĂ&#x2030;bec city 2012

Why good governance matters to you S

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actualitĂ&#x2030;s

many more people access to the sport. Very small basketball countries â&#x20AC;&#x201C; where a competitive basketball league could be difficult to establish â&#x20AC;&#x201C; can easily set up a tour and quickly become competitive on the world stage.â&#x20AC;?

Although it would be easy to label 3x3 as a sport for youth, Baumann insists the long-term plan is to develop the game across all ages.

FIBA also has aspirations to make 3x3 an Olympic sport in the foreseeable future. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our aim is that tours and leagues are organised in all countries and all regions year in, year out, with pro 3x3 events like the World Tour and World Championships sitting at the very top of a worldwide network of tournaments and tours,â&#x20AC;? Baumann said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We obviously have Olympic ambitions for 2016 or beyond.â&#x20AC;?

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news Archery aiming to bring new ideas

TARGET South Korea’s Park Kyung-mo

The World Archery Federation is a new name on the delegate list at SportAccord Convention this year.

The IF, which was previously known as FITA, adopted the fresh moniker in April as part of a broad rebranding designed to maximise the global recognition and commercial appeal of archery.

“It’s all come from a strategic plan that started in 2007,” World Archery Federation secretary general Tom Dielen said.

“We wanted to get away from the use of an acronym [FITA] that,

unless you were part of the archery family, wouldn’t mean anything to you.

“In terms of our new logo, we wanted something modern that would be more attractive to young people. It is a shift away from the static part of the sport [the target face] to the dynamic part, which is the arrow.

“At the same time we are also in the process of encouraging the rebranding of continental organisations, so they are in line with the World Archery Federation,

jamaica honours netball president

over the next few years.”

It’s a big year for archery, which will be staged in arguably the most iconic venue at the London 2012 Olympic Games – the worldfamous Lord’s cricket ground.

“Having archery at Lord’s is a great opportunity,” Dielen added. “Lord’s also reflects what we are trying to do with archery; the venue has such heritage, but it also has a spectacular modern media centre. We want to enjoy the heritage of archery but explore modern ideas.”

The World Archery Federation is expecting 50,000 unique visitors to its website per day during the London Olympics, but Dielen is already targeting initiatives for the 2016 Rio Games.

“Electronic scoring will continue to develop through to Rio and we will also be looking at introducing monitors that show the competitors’ heart rates, as well as other things,” he added. “We want to bring the spectators that don’t participate in archery closer to the sport.”

success Jamaica’s netball team in action against England

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administration. She started in netball aged etball is a women’s team sport 10, played at every level from school team to that is changing the world, and international and is the longest-serving IFNA world netball’s leading figure, President in the Association’s 51 years.

Molly Rhone, President of the In 1991 Rhone was asked to run for President International Federation of of the Jamaican Netball Association.

Netball Associations, has recently been awarded “I knew it was not the right time, as I needed one of her country’s highest honours, the Order to understand how netball was managed, so I of Jamaica. successfully ran for the post of Vice-President.

Unlike most other sports, netball does not Two years after that I became the have a ‘big brother’, a men’s version President,” she said. to dominate the game and soak up “At the time I was the Director of media coverage and revenues from Information Technology Services at sponsorship and advertising.

Air Jamaica. That was 24/7, and I had The majority of game officials and young children going to school, so coaches are female, so netball clubs I was being mother, wife, executive can be established even in cultures in the corporate world and netball where gender roles are strictly defined association president – and that was and restrictive for women. hard!

The effect is that netball has become HONOUR “But netball is my passion and I a global force for good – a sport going Molly Rhone knew that it was time to transform it from strength to strength at the elite into something professional and run it like a real international level, while rapid expansion at the business – moving away from total volunteerism. grass roots is being used as a vehicle to educate “Volunteers are great, and you need them, but and empower women, and promote women’s when you’re operating as a business you also need health and fitness. paid staff. I was in administration in the corporate Rhone believes her award is more than just world and I brought those skills to netball. a personal accolade. “It is a great honour.

“Through the various IFNA meetings and The citation said it was for my work in sports councils I attended I got known on the world administration nationally and internationally, scene. I ran for President of IFNA in 2003, in particular netball, but I think it’s great for all the year Jamaica hosted the World Netball sports. It’s important to inspire others, to show that a woman from a small Caribbean country can Championships, which was really a great event, and a huge success.” play a leading role in world sport.”

Bidding for, and winning the right to hold a Rhone is certainly a role model. She has world-class sporting event illustrated the degree to played netball for her country, while pursuing a which the Jamaican Netball Association had been high-flying executive career and raising a family, revitalised under Molly Rhone’s leadership. before going on to become a power in sports

Curling is putting stakeholders first T

he World Curling Federation is putting its stakeholders at the heart of a groundbreaking project to explore ways of enhancing the sport.

A ‘rule questionnaire’ has been distributed to players and coaches throughout the APPROACH Kate Caithness sport, and earlier this month the questions were posted on the WCF’s official website, allowing fans of curling to have their say on the following six key areas: Length of the game, timing of the game, playoff system, free guard zone, tie-break games and time-outs.

The proactive initiative will act as a public melting pot of ideas, which will then be considered by the WCF Board. The deadline for

bouzou wants access for all

IFNA President Molly handed Order of Jamaica for service to sport Not the least of the challenges was that Jamaica lacked a venue suitable to hold an international netball tournament, but Rhone was undaunted.

“I think everybody wanted it to be in Jamaica, but we had the challenge of not having a venue,” she said. “We had a major sponsor in Cable and Wireless, and a really great local organising committee, full of very passionate people. We got a lot of high-powered people volunteering their time and that’s how it all came together.”

Rhone was up against an opponent from sporting superpower Australia when she stood for

‘It’s amazing when you hear the testimonials, as we are transforming young lives’ the Presidency of IFNA, but her reputation for dynamism and change won her the post.

She found herself dealing with familiar issues.

“When I got to IFNA I realised I had the same challenges as Jamaica, because we had to move it from a one-man, part-time organisation, to a proper professional structure,” she said.

“That has taken quite a while, but now we’ve reached somewhere which is sustainable, and there’s a legacy we can leave.”

Netball may be a massively successful women’s sport, but it still only receives a fraction of the interest and support that men’s sport receives.

Rhone is optimistic – believing that, properly run and promoted, netball can flourish anywhere, at all levels, and act as a catalyst to change

women’s lives for the better. “The thing about netball is that it’s easy to learn and it’s cheap to play, that’s a great selling point,” she said. “It can be enjoyed by everyone, from girls of five to grandmothers of 80. The elite level is a fast, highly-skilled game – the final between New Zealand and Australia was probably the most exciting event at the last Commonwealth Games – while at the grass roots it’s a uniquely successful way to bring women of all ages together for fun, fitness and friendship.”

The Honourable Molly Rhone, OJ, may be a former international player, but it’s the success of IFNA’s initiatives with disadvantaged women and girls that are giving her the greatest satisfaction.

“For example, we have the Goal programme in India which started in slums in Delhi and is established now in Mumbai and Chennai, and in Africa we run Netball Safaris, taking young people from wealthier countries to meet their counterparts and help train and pass on skills.

“All of our schemes use netball as a way to bring women and girls together, and create a safe, friendly environment where they can learn and develop. It’s amazing when you hear the testimonials, as we are transforming young lives.

“I think the greatest thing is how it improves their self-esteem. They feel now that they’re worthwhile citizens and that really excites me. It gives me an even better feeling than when I see a team win at the World Championships.”

en français

Molly Rhône, président de la IFNA, croit que son ‘Ordre de la Jamaïque’ est un reflet rôle global positif de netball

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questionnaires to be submitted is September 5 and any changes to the rules would only be activated after the 2013-14 season – which includes the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games.

“I think it’s the same for any sport – you can’t afford to be complacent,” WCF President Kate Caithness said.

“Any sport should be looking at ways of involving their stakeholders and this is a way of doing it.

“The stakeholders have been very appreciative so far, and we think it’s a unique approach and a good approach.”

According to Caithness, who became the first female president of a winter sports federation in 2010 and was recently re-elected for a new twoyear term, the sport of curling is flourishing, with wheelchair and mixed doubles curling continuing

Joel Bouzou, President of Peace and Sport, is hoping that more IFs will join the project to develop ‘Adapted Practices’ and so make sport accessible to everyone.

He believes that introducing young people to sport, even in the poorest areas, is a way to reach new audiences and to develop sport.

Bouzou argues that IFs can show how sports can be practised anywhere – not just on proper pitches or in stadia – by adapting local materials, rather than buying

to develop alongside the traditional formats of the sport.

“The junior programme is very healthy and the sport as a whole is in very good shape,” she said.

“Since the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, 24 non-curling countries have come forward to ask us how they can become part of this sport.

“In Brazil, curling was the sport that was watched the most during the 2010 Winter Games, and we must try to kick-start things there and in other places.

“However, we need to ensure we have the right facilities, and that remains the biggest challenge.

“Thankfully things have started to happen in that regard. The World Curling Federation is able to offer interest-free loans to destinations to help get the right facilities in place. We are here to help.”

expensive equipment. “We are currently working with about 10 IFs to develop and implement this approach.

My hope is to encourage more and more IFs to do the same, and work with Peace and Sport,” said Bouzou.

“For IFs, it has a positive collateral effect: by using adapted practices, they uphold the autonomy and the credibility of the entire sports movement. They give the image of being innovative and responsible at the service of society.”

Focus on sustainability The SportAccord Convention organising committee is actively engaged in a sustainable event-planning process that will aim to reduce its environmental footprint and maximise positive social and economic impacts locally. This year, once again, SportAccord Convention is working with CH2M Hill, its Sustainability and Legacy partner, to hold a first-of-itsclass sustainable event. In order to make that happen, SportAccord Convention has started the planning process well in advance and has worked in the following key areas:  Suppliers selection  Material, energy sources and water management  Waste management  Food and beverage  Transportation and greenhouse gas emissions Join us on a special sustainability tour led by the Québec City Convention Centre’s eco-advisor. If you are interested, please register online at this address: https:// taktetik.wufoo.eu/forms/sustainabilitytour-registration/

In association with CH2M HILL, Official Sustainability and Legacy Partner of SportAccord Convention

as many International Federations are looking at places such as these for their events.

“Part of the success of the Convention is that it is, in essence, the same event, but we look for new ways of doing things and we are always open to feedback.

“We always put delegates first and we listen to people. We try to be a custom-made event for every delegate we have.”

SportAccord Convention continues to evolve to better meet the needs of its delegates, and 2012 in Québec City is no exception.

New initiatives on the convention floor include the Sport Demo Zone, a special area where athletes from International Federations will give delegates a glimpse of their sports in

 The First Comers Breakfast will take place between 8am-9am in 200A.

Chiulli eager to promote ‘green mindset’ Being ‘green’ is a mindset, according to Raffaele Chiulli, the president of Union Internationale Motonautique, the International Powerboating Union.

Chiulli has prioritised the environmental credentials of his organisation since taking office in November 2007. After securing re-election late last year, he has a mandate to build on his organisation’s reputation as a benchmark for continuous improvement in this area – and at SportAccord Convention he is keen to meet other people who share his passion.

“By adopting an environmental mindset, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel, but it makes sense to join forces with other International Federations and discuss best practice,” Chiulli said.

“For example, we learned a lot from the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (International Motorcycling Federation) and we are very grateful to them for having shared their initiatives.

“We are also working hard on the environment, alternative energies and sustainable development with the other bodies

Chiulli is well aware that adopting a ‘green’ approach can be daunting for an IF that has little experience in this area.

However, he believes the approach undertaken at UIM can be adopted across the international sporting community.

“The first challenge was to raise awareness of the environment within the Federation,” he said.

“Then I created an ad hoc taskforce, including people outside the sport as well as inside, and they established the basic principles through the environmental code. Then we tried to increase interest and exposure by establishing the awards.”

Winners at the 2011 UIM Environmental Awards included such as the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile Azimut Yachts, Mercury Racing, the Planet Solar Project and (International Automobile Federation), Fédération Frauscher Shipyard. However, the UIM picked up a gong of Aéronautique Internationale (International Air Sports its own at the most recent Moncao Yacht Show, with the IF Federation) and International Waterski and Wakeboard Federation and we also have a co-operation agreement with the receiving the prestigious Green Association Award.

Chiulli knows, though, that being green is a work in progress United Nations Environmental Program.

“When I came in, I made the goal of being environmentally- for everyone. “We are keen to continue to learn and share, and responsible a priority. Frankly there was a lot to do and we were that is what we want to do at SportAccord Convention,” he said. not at the standard that a reputable IF should be at.”

record. So we have been looking for chances to promote sport in Macau. We could strengthen Macau’s competitiveness in this aspect.”

Chau Kuok Wai: “Bringing in international sports events has always been central in the development of sports in Macau and a variety of international championships are held in Macau every year. During the first half of this year, Macau hosted the Asian Table Tennis Championships and the Thomas & Uber Cups Preliminary Round in the Asia Zone.

International Dragon Boat Races and the Volleyball World Grand Prix, International Marathon, Macau Golf Open tournament and the Macau Grand Prix will also be held in Macau within the next six months. In addition, the Olympic Council of Asia General Assembly will, for the first time, take place in Macau, and China’s National Physical Fitness Surveillance & International Seminar of Physical Fitness Research will also be held.”

The Daily: Is it still a challenge to educate the sports industry about Macau, its political situation and what it has to offer?

CKW: “Yes. As I said earlier, Macau is not a city with a prominent athletics record. I believe the global sports community does not know much about sports in Macau and this is exactly why we still seek to promote Macau sports.”

The Daily: How has the Macau sports industry changed since 1999, when the sovereignty was transferred to China?

CKW: “Firstly, the government has been offering an increasing amount of support and funding for sport over the last decade. Secondly, the number of people who participate in sport has increased every year and the performances of our athletes have also improved. At the 2010 Asian Games, we won our first gold medal; a tremendous breakthrough.”

The Daily: Which sports are popular in Macau?

CKW: “Badminton, swimming, soccer and table tennis are the most popular sports among local residents. I think people in China have quite similar preferences in general.”

The Daily: What do you feel is the biggest challenge facing Macau as it seeks to increase its involvement in the international sporting community?

CKW: “It’s the popularity, I guess. After all, Macau is not a city with a prominent athletic

The Daily: Macau’s economy is booming and residents have more disposable income than ever before. What would you like say to a sports organisation that is seeking to enter the Macau market?

CKW: “Macau is positioned to develop as a world tourism and leisure hub in the future, and sport and entertainment events could serve as a means to enrich its status as a hub and also offer a wealth of choices to tourists.”

The Daily: Going into this year’s SportAccord Convention, what are your objectives for the event?

CKW: “Our aim is to allow participants to understand and know more about Macau and its sports. We also hope to establish future contact and communication channels with the international sports community.”

The Daily: You are a gold sponsor of SportAccord Convention again this year – why is it such an important event for you?

CKW: “It is the largest and most successful sports exhibition event in the global sporting arena. As a sports exchange platform, the Convention brings together individuals and organisations from the international sporting community as well as those in the fields of government and commerce. The event has garnered increasing coverage through the international media, and the promotional opportunities are easy to imagined.”  Check out Macau Sport Development Board on Stand 4

IT’S ALL ABOUT SHARING: Social media could – with your help – become a platform for knowledge-sharing, debate and inspiration from and for participants at SportAccord Convention. During the Convention, Sport Event Denmark will conduct a series of flash video interviews with you. These interviews will be posted on YouTube and will be accessible via www.sportaccordconvention.com and www.sporteventdenmark. com – and a ‘quote of the day’ will appear right here in The Daily’s Sport Event Denmark Soapbox. So come along to Stand 60 and let us get your message across!

popular Badminton is big in Macau

Following from afar...

Ingrid Beutler, Manager of SportAccord’s Sports Integrity Unit and Sports’ Social Responsibility Unit, is following the events at SportAccord Convention from home - in the company of new twin1 boys, Roméo15:40 and Zackary, DEC_Bienvenue...10.04.12+ombre_Mise en page 12-04-11 Page1 who were born shortly before this year’s event.

Welcome bem-vindo

բարի գալուստ

Benvenuti добро пожаловать

Välkommen

Anna Hellman, directeur exécutif du SportAccord Convention, a éxpliqué comment l’événement a maintenu un engagement d’être “fait sur mesure” pour chaque délégué

The Daily: A year ago, you said your aim was to attract more sporting events to Macau. How have you got on?

The International World Games Association (IWGA) last night officially declared the Polish city of Wroclaw the host for The World Games 2017.

IWGA President Ron Froehlich and the Mayor of Wroclaw, Rafal Dutkiewicz, signed the host agreement after an Executive Committee meeting at SportAccord Convention in Québec City.

The south-western Polish city was chosen for the 10th edition of the multi-sport event after a 12-month long bidding process.

Wroclaw was deemed to have a slightly stronger bid than Budapest, the Hungarian capital, after the South African city of Cape Town withdrew its bid due to financial reasons.

Today the agreement will be ratified as Wroclaw officially introduces itself to the 33 IWGA Member Federations during its annual general meeting.

Read more about this, and the IWGA’s other developments in tomorrow’s edition of The Daily.

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en français

action. Also new this year will be an IF Zone, where delegates will have the chance of meeting representatives from International Federations in addition to the IFs that have their own exhibition stands.

“City representatives told us that they wanted an event where they could just talk to other cities, and learn from each other, so we are having a ‘City to City’ session,” Hellman said.

Since SportAccord Convention 2007 in Beijing, the delegate numbers for the over-subscribed event have been capped to maximise networking opportunities.

For first-time visitors to the Convention, it can be a daunting experience. However, Hellman has some top tips for ensuring newcomers make the most out of their trip.

“They should study the networker and weekly schedule and ask themselves, ‘what am I looking for?’

“We are not a trade show so if you just turn up in the morning and haven’t filled your agenda, you will miss out,” she said.

“If you are a first-timer who has tried to contact someone through the networker, but has not received a response, then please come and speak to us, and we will try to facilitate a meeting.

“We are also having a breakfast for first-timers where people will realise that there are others who will be making their first appearance too.”

‘Macau is positioned to develop itself as a world tourism hub’

selamat datang

signing off Anna Hellman is looking forward to Québec City, her final Convention as SportAccord’s executive director

‘It is a good time for someone else to be taking over... someone who can introduce new ideas’

Chau Kuok Wai, Division Head at the Macau Sport Development Board

καλωσήρθατε

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ince taking up the reins at SportAccord Convention in 2004, Anna Hellman has helped to firmly establish the event as the No.1 meeting place on the global sporting calendar.

Seven years on from overseeing her first SportAccord Convention in Berlin, Québec City 2012 will be Hellman’s last as executive director.

“It’s been a fantastic journey,” Hellman, who is being succeeded by Nis Hatt, said. “When I joined we basically had a blank sheet of paper, and we have been able to build a good team.

“It is a good time for someone else to be taking over. People have different ways of seeing things and it will be good to have someone who can introduce new ideas.”

Hellman is moving on to experiential marketing agency Além International Management, Inc, but her sole focus is on delivering an event to remember in Québec City, where the setting is very different to the metropolises of Berlin, Seoul, Beijing, Athens, Denver, Dubai and London – the Convention’s host cities under her tenure.

“We decided early on that we wanted to take the event to different markets around the world,” said Hellman, who hails from Sweden but also took Swiss nationality with her family after living in the country for several years.

“We have been to some large cities, but we must also acknowledge that cities of all sizes are involved in sport, and it will be fascinating to use Québec City as the backdrop for this year’s event

WROCLAW INKS deal

Willkommen

Anna Hellman looks back after eight years at the helm

>catching up with:

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reflecting upon a ‘fantastic journey’

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Le tour d’horizon

bine ai venit

around the convention

Bienvenue

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잘 오셨습니다

Bienvenidos

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talking point memorable The Opening Ceremony of the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester

ten years of sport – ten years better off?

The Daily asked Charlie Denson, President of the Nike Brand, NIKE Inc, International World Games Association President Ron Froehlich and International Basketball Federation Secretary General Patrick Baumann for their thoughts on this crucial sports industry question...

The Daily: The theme of this year’s SportAccord Convention is ‘A Decade of Change – A Future of Promise’. But is the sporting world in a healthier state than it was 10 years ago?

Charlie Denson: “I would say yes it is in the sense that it’s bigger and better and it’s more transparent than ever. So the ability for the spectators and fans around sport to engage with their athletes with their teams and with their performances is bigger and better than ever. I think the other thing that strikes me is that sport has been and will continue to always be one of the great influencers in society and the way society works, and I think what I’m looking forward to as we come into SportAccord Convention is asking and trying to answer the question: What can we do positively with that responsibility?”

Ron Froehlich: “There are so many different aspects to the ‘sporting world’. There is the support of governments and National Olympic Committees, the financial contributions to sport, the development of facilities, and so much more.

“Over the last 10 years, I think sport has changed and developed dramatically, and especially over the last four years. We now not only have the Olympic Games, but also the Youth Olympic Games, for example, and in general there are more multi-sport events than ever before.”

Patrick Baumann: “To answer the question, it very much depends on how you choose to define ‘healthy’. Overall I would say yes.

Participation rates have risen, sponsorship revenue has increased substantially, many sports have opened up to new markets and top championships are better organised, generating more interest. In many cases infrastructure has improved and I think there is generally a far better understanding today of the social, educational and health benefits of sport, whether within our members and stakeholders or within governments.

“However, the battle against doping is an ongoing one. Illegal betting, corruption and the involvement of organised crime within sport are major concerns for everyone within the sporting world and represent our next major challenges. Also, public investment in sport infrastructure and programmes is under threat from the current economic climate.”

The Daily: On the topic of the financial downturn, to what extent do you believe sport has been affected, now that we are nearly four years on from when the global economic crisis really started to unfold?

RF: “There have been enormous cutbacks within countries across the world, and sporting organisations are finding it more difficult to find sponsors. However, people have had to adapt to these challenges to continue to operate in difficult financial times and they have had to think about things a little more broadly. You have to salute what the International Olympic Committee has done to promote sport.

They have done an enormous amount of work and in many cases they have given the ‘have-nots’ in countries that don’t have the funds a real opportunity to view sports that they wouldn’t have otherwise been able to see.”

The Daily: Do you believe the balance of money across the different tiers of sport is fair in comparison to a decade ago, though?

PB: “Talking about fairness is delicate and at the end of the day there will always be imbalances. Indeed, this summer’s Olympics will see many legends within their own sports. Some of them are extremely wealthy while others have to search for sponsorship money and donations just to be able to train.

“Olympic solidarity and development programmes of sports federations have helped enormously, even though there are still huge discrepancies from country to country. But it’s not just about money. Let’s not forget the major role played by volunteers at major sporting events.

“With regards to our athletes, as you know in basketball there are plenty of very high-profile millionaire players. However, there are also thousands of players struggling to make a living from their sport. What must at all costs be avoided, especially in view of the current economic climate, is that the rich continue getting richer, while the finance dries up for all the others. But what is maybe improving is the institutional help certain athletes receive. Many

‘There have been enormous cutbacks across the world, and sporting organisations are finding it more difficult to find sponsors’ – Ron Froehlich

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Le débat countries have set up multi-sport academies or centres of excellence, while plenty are currently doing so. This has been particularly important for some of the smaller sports.”

The Daily: Talking of the smaller sports, how would they evaluate their predicament now in relation to 10 years ago?

PB: “Every sport considers itself to be the most important, and that’s great. The enthusiasm we see from International Federations that represent smaller sports is far greater than the larger sports. I always respect the smaller sports that are fighting for existence. What has amazed me, and continues to amaze me, is the growth of the smaller sports in terms of new member federations. They are very innovative in how to improve their sport.”

The Daily: Participation drives development of the smaller sports, of course, but there are also fears about rising obesity levels amongst the general public in major sporting markets. How does sport participation and, in turn, the general health and fitness of the global population, compare to 10 years ago?

PB: “The number of people practising sport worldwide has increased considerably, in our sport and in many others. But at the same time it would be very wrong to dismiss fast growing health problems such as obesity and diabetes. Many children spend less time outdoors playing and doing exercise but spend more time in front of TVs and computer screens.

“At the same time, technology can help in the practice of sport and provide incentives to do so. Many runners use mobile applications to track their performances, while of course digital tools are at the very heart of FIBA’s 3x3 basketball project.

“Our 3x3planet community website, mobile application makes it easier and more fun to get outdoors and play basketball and we believe this will bring more young people onto court.

“What we are seeing is a shift to the extremes: people who practise sports are doing so more and more and those not doing any sport are taking no exercise whatsoever.

“This is where sports education and the promotion of a healthy lifestyle are paramount. This is also where the sports world has a key role to play.”

The Daily: With a proliferation of communication platforms over the past decade, there are far more opportunities to engage people with sports, aren’t there? However, is sport

victory Brazil captain Cafu lifts the FIFA World Cup trophy in Yokohama in 2002

taking full advantage of this?

CD: “More people are engaged through the world of sport than ever before, and I think from a digital communications standpoint it’s becoming more and more acceptable.

“Somebody can watch Manchester United anywhere in the world, somebody can interact with the NBA or the NFL anywhere in the world, somebody can watch Liu Xiang pursue his world record dreams in any of the events literally online anywhere, so that is an incredible opportunity.

“The flip side is that we continue to see more and more limited access for the benefits of kids participating, whether it’s just playing or participating in competitive sport. So I think that’s the

You say The Daily asked: Is the sporting world in a healthier state than it was 10 years ago?

You say: Yes – 82%, No – 18%

The official vehicle partner of

‘More people are engaged through the world of sport than ever before.

Someone can watch Manchester United, the NBA or the NFL from anywhere in the world’ – Charlie Denson interesting juxtaposition that we have the ability to address. Maybe with viewership and participation at all-time highs, access to that participation may be at or headed to an all-time low.”

The Daily: So what do you believe has been the most significant development, in a positive sense, for sport over the past 10 years?

PB: “It may sound strange, but the commercial success of sport – and that is not to say that there are not some very concerning sideeffects – has had an impact at all levels.

“Growing sponsorship and broadcasting rights as well as the related exposure have helped increase participation rates, invest in infrastructure but also in transfer of knowledge such as coaching and courses. It has also, through programs directly or indirectly financed by sponsorship and broadcasting revenue, brought sport to regions where there was little or no sports culture.

“Certain people and certain sections of the media systematically point at how bad money is for sport and how it contradicts the sports ethos or Olympic ideals.

“They forget that money in sport is just as much responsible for allowing athletes from modest backgrounds to practise their sport and reach the elite level, something which once upon a time was only open to the very wealthy.”

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a decade of sport/Une décennie de sport top 10 of the last 10 ‘What have been the 10 most important developments in the Olympic Movement over the past 10 years?’

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Beijing Hosts the 2008 Olympics Opening the door to China was something the IOC had to do; Africa is now the final door to open.

London hosts 2012 Games London may set an example for good Games management and how to succeed even if the economy is in the tank.

IOC changes the Olympic program When it dropped baseball and softball from 2012 list and then failed to add rugby and golf, the IOC seemed clueless. Now the IOC appears to be on track to modernise the program.

Rio De Janeiro wins 2016 Olympics The IOC takes the Games to South America for the first time, opening new opportunities for marketing and sports development.

Consecutive Summer Olympic bid losses by the US Losses by New York City in 2005 and Chicago in 2009 exposed how the US has lost political clout at the IOC.

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>the ‘sidney’ olympics (2010) >Sidney Crosby celebrates with his team-mates after scoring the decisive goal against the USA in the final of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games men’s ice hockey tournament to send host country Canada delirious. >Sidney Crosby célèbre avec ses coéquipiers après avoir marqué le but décisif contre les Ėtats-Unis dans la finale du tournoi de hockey sur glace des hommes aux Jeux Olympiques 2010 à Vancouver, envoyant le pays hôte, le Canada, en délire.

bonjourquebec.com

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Staging the Athens Olympics A return to the roots of the modern Games was loaded with symbolism – as well as overspending on venues.

Establishment of the Youth Olympic Games The first new IOC-backed multi-sport event since the founding of the Winter Olympics, time will tell if the YOG can capture the imagination.

Staging of Salt Lake City Olympics Coming four months after 9/11 and in the wake of the IOC vote-buying scandal, Salt Lake City showed the resilience of the Olympics.

Rome drops out of 2020 race A move that should send warning signals to the IOC that the Games are becoming out of reach for many cities.

Formation of SportAccord The creation and growth of this convention make it a must for those who need to do business with international sports federations.

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By Ed Hula, Editor of SportAccord Convention media partner Around the Rings - www.aroundtherings.com

sport at its most special

Picture courtesy of Special Olympics

Picture: Action Images

10 years sportac of conventcord io 2003-12 n

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interview

Tim Shriver has seen sport change lives all over the world as head of the Special Olympics, writes Kamila Hinkson...

T

hose who are afforded the honour of donning the colours of their country at a sporting event will tell you that it is a lifechanging experience.

When they line up at the starting blocks, and that long-awaited gun cracks the silence to release them on their quest for the podium, they are transformed into athletes.

Dr. Tim Shriver, Chairman and CEO of the Special Olympics, believes that seeing someone as an athlete, rather than someone with an intellectual disability, is the first step towards seeing them a person.

“At some level, hundreds and hundreds and millions of people still see [people with intellectual disabilities] as less important, less valuable human beings,” he said. “That’s why we see sport as so important – because sport sheds all the labels.”

The Special Olympics was founded in 1968

by Shriver’s mother, Eunice Kennedy Shriver,

victory Athletes enjoy the Opening Ceremony at this year’s Central American and Caribbean Special Olympic Games

one of former United States President John F. Kennedy’s younger sisters. What started as a summer camp in her backyard, which she named Camp Shriver, is now the largest organisation of its kind in the world, providing events for more than 3.7 million athletes in more than 170 countries around the world.

“What my mother did is what every good Special Olympics volunteer or coordinator does, which is they make the movement about everybody,” Shriver said.

Growing up as a child in one of America’s most famous families, he spent his days playing kickball with children who had intellectual difficulties, and he continued to be involved in the cause through high school and college. However, despite being involved in local, state and international chapters of the Special Olympics, and completing a PhD in special education, Shriver said that running the movement was not on his agenda.

“The last thing on my mind in my 20s or 30s was taking a professional role in the Special Olympics,” he explained. “At a certain point, I looked around and all of a sudden I had a résumé that looked very much like a Special Olympics résumé.”

Shriver’s appointment to the head of the organisation did not come without some hesitation on his part, but he eventually took the helm in 1996, and various members of his family remain committed to the movement to this day. His sister Maria sits on the Special Olympics’ International Board, his older brother Robert is one of its top fundraisers, and his youngest brother Anthony started a similar organisation, Best Buddies International, which works in tandem with the Special Olympics.

As CEO and Chairman, he is charged with ensuring each chapter of the organisation

is moving in the same direction and that everyone benefits from lessons learned during the 50,000 annual Special Olympic events.

“Ultimately, my most important job is to make sure that this organisation never takes its eye off what we can learn and what we need to do as a result of [what we learn] from our athletes,” he said.

There is a selection process to decide which athletes attend the Special Olympics World Games, which are held every two years and alternate between summer and winter sports.

But no matter how big or small, or whether a local, state/provincial, or national chapter

difference Tim Shriver where they are offered training so they are able to provide treatment to participants. The hope is that these clinics have a catalytic effect and ultimately help to change public policy.

Additionally, the Unified Sports program creates events that bring Special Olympics athletes together with participants who do not have intellectual disabilities. The organisation uses events with high-profile athletes, such as a showcase during this year’s National Basketball Association All-Star weekend, to raise awareness about Unified Sports, but the crux of the movement is its grassroots operations.

At SportAccord Convention, Shriver is

‘My most important job is to make sure that we never take our eye off what we can learn’ assumes organisational responsibilities, every event bears the Special Olympics name.

“We’re not interested in finding out whether you’re better than someone else,” he explained.

“We’re interested in finding out what your best is, and that’s something you can show us any day of the year, at any age, under any circumstances.”

Many may be surprised to learn of the work the organisation does aside from putting together competitions. “I’d say most people still think we’re a track meet that meets once a year,” Shriver confessed.

However, such preconceptions are wide of the mark, and the Special Olympics movement is about far more than staging sporting events.

The Healthy Athletes program was conceived in order to fight the discrimination that people with intellectual disabilities face in healthcare systems around the world. The program brings health professionals to Special Olympics events

taking part in the Social Responsibility in Sport panel. He wants to use his platform at the sporting world’s No.1 meeting place to challenge people to look at how sport can help to fix social problems, instead of just seeing social problems as a way to justify sport.

“I’m hoping to use the work that I’ve been able to watch in Special Olympics as an example of how effective sport can be in making a real and lasting difference in the life of an individual, family or community,” he said.  DEBATE: Is social responsibility in sport a corporate obligation? – Thursday, 11:00-11:45

en français

Tim Shriver, Chef des Olympiques Spéciales, dit que représenter votre pays dans un événement sportif est une expérience qui peut changer votre vie

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agenda/ ordre du jour ENJOYMENT Ana Jesus

Healthy body, healthy mind W

hat better way to discover Québec City, and meet other delegates in a relaxed atmosphere, than to get involved in the SportAccord Convention Active Network Morning Exercise Sessions?

The sessions are free to attend and are led by Active Network – a Host City Supporter of SportAccord Convention – who will ensure you get your day off to a flying start before you get down to business at the Convention.

This week, delegates will be able to participate in the following activities: Walk with a Purpose: A power walk in Battlefields Park suitable for all fitness levels.

Group Run: A five-kilometre route that takes in the stunning sights of Québec City for all levels of runner – from beginners to regulars.

Tabata: A bodyweight strength interval workout designed to work your core muscles, taking place in Battlefields Park.

Muay Thai: A fun boxercise class brought to you by former world champion and reality TV personality Stephan Fox. Delegates wishing to participate in the sessions should assemble at 6:15am in the lobby at any of the three official SportAccord Convention partner hotels – Hilton Québec, Fairmont Le Château Frontenac or Loews Le Concorde Hotel.

“It’s a great way to start the day, and it’s very social. It’s a nice, informal way of getting to know people,” Active Network Marketing Manager Ana Jesus said. “For the walk, you will be interacting with others, and with the other exercises – such as Muay Thai and Tabata – people may need to work with another person. For the run, we will have volunteers behind the group and by the side, so people won’t be lost or left behind. It’s a good

today at a glance monday, may 21 Meetings: 08:30-12:00 IWGA General Annual

Meeting (400C) 12:00-13:45 Lunch IFs (200B) 14:00-17:00 ARISF General Assembly

(400C) 17:30-19:30 Meeting IFs participating

in the Masters Games (200A) 19:30-20:00 IMGA Board of Governors (202) 19:30-22:00 IWGA/ARISF Dinner 20:00-22:00 ASOIF Dinner opportunity to enjoy a new view of the city in the morning.”

Active Network is also seeking support from SportAccord Convention delegates for its chosen charity, United Through Sport, which helps disadvantaged communities around the world to achieve their potential through sport.

Delegates can support the charity by visiting the Active Network stand and leaving their business card or requesting a consultation. Active Network will donate $0.30 to the charity for each stand visit. For more information on how you can become an “Active Samaritan” by donating or helping to fundraise for the cause, and more about the Morning Exercise Sessions, visit the Active Network stand.  Active Network: Stand 119  Today’s activity: Walk with a Purpose, Group Run  Tomorrow’s activity: Walk with a Purpose, Group Run, Tabata