The Daily>inside

weDnesDay, may 29, 2013

your guide to the saint petersburg sportaccord conventionwww.sportaccordconvention.com @saconvention #saCon13

>social City Forum focuses on new media

3>sportfive CeO shaila-Ann Rao on the global market 5

>cycling Pat McQuaid outlines the UCi’s major priorities

11

summer Federations to share the wealthinternational Olympic Committee

President Dr Jacques Rogge is expected to confirm a revenue windfall of more than US$500 million for ASOIF members when

he meets them today at SportAccord Convention.

The announcement is likely to be accompanied by details of a new grouping system for the summer Olympic sports, which will influence how much each of them receives from the pot.

The payment is the share of the proceeds from last year’s London Olympics which is to be allocated to members of ASOIF – the Association of Summer Olympics International Federations.

Andrew Ryan, Executive Director of ASOIF, said the initial sum had been expected to total around US$475 million – an increase of just over 60 per cent compared with US$296 million from Beijing – but the actual figure to be revealed by the IOC Executive Board today is likely to exceed US$500 million.

Ryan said the Olympic revenue amounts to 35–40 per cent of income for some sports, excluding FIFA, and that it will be distributed by ASOIF according to the new groups.

“It is a massive uplift in revenue from

the Olympics but there is also a big uplift in the business affairs of the International Federations,” Ryan told The Daily.

“We were given the job of distributing the money and we secured agreement

between the 28 members that they would agree the split on condition that the IOC reviews the five groups.”

The groups were originally set more than 20 years ago and have been revised

after taking into account key indicators from the London Olympics.

“They were not based on particularly detailed analysis in the past but now we have had a much more scientific approach,” said Ryan.

“The whole process has taken two years and is based very much on figures from the London Games, looking at things like ticket sales and TV audience for each sport. That is where the criteria have come from and the next thing that will happen is that the IOC Executive Board will present the new groups,” said Ryan.

The IOC Executive Board is due to meet at SportAccord Convention at 8:00 today and will update ASOIF in an open session at 9:15.

Addressing his first ASOIF General Assembly meeting since his election as President at SportAccord Convention last year, Francesco Ricci Bitti spoke of the importance of International Federations being seen as a valued part of the Olympic Movement.

He underlined the importance of his members being at the centre of all decision-making that affects their sports, and he promised a more proactive approach to achieve greater involvement.

Ricci Bitti also reaffirmed ASOIF’s

feTisov aT ConvenTionLegendary Russian ice hockey player Vyacheslav Fetisov will wrap up day one of SportAccord Convention’s conference programme later today by providing an unmissable insight into his glittering career.

The Interview of the Day with Fetisov will start at 17:00, half an hour later than originally scheduled, with the Spirit of Sport Awards (see preview on p9) moving back to a start time of 16:30.

Fetisov, a member of the National Hockey League Hall of Fame, was one of the first players from Russia to move to the North American league. The two-time Olympic champion also coached Russia’s Olympic ice hockey team and served for six years as the Russian Federation’s Minister of Sport.

From 10:00-10:30, Alexander Zhukov, President of the Russian Olympic Committee and First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, and SportAccord Convention Chairman Hein Verbruggen will welcome delegates at the start of the conference.

Saatchi & Saatchi Worldwide CEO Kevin Roberts, NBC Executive Producer Jim Bell, Rio 2016 Olympics Organising Committee President Carlos Arthur Nuzman, UK Sports Minister Hugh Robertson and SPORTFIVE International CEO Shaila-Ann Rao (see interview on p5) are among the other stellar speakers lined up today.

uplift: francesco Ricci Bitti

Continued on page 2

wednesday.indd 1 28/05/2013 20:11:38

The Daily>inside>branDing Roberts revels in the power of sport

2>feTisov An ice hockey legend gives his perspective

4>gaillarD sportAccord looks to the challenges ahead

11

thursday,may 30, 2013

Rogge offers backing on sport’s big issuesinternational Olympic Committee

(IOC) President Jacques Rogge pledged his organisation’s backing over some of the biggest issues facing world sport as he joined leaders of

ASOIF at SportAccord Convention.Rogge signalled the IOC’s support

over doping, illegal betting and the packed sporting calendar, but it was revenue payable to summer sports which dominated the agenda.

The IOC chief announced that members of ASOIF – the Association of Summer Olympics International Federations – will share US$519.6 million from the London Olympics, up by 75.5 per cent on the US$296 million from Beijing, which had improved on the US$256.1 million from Athens.

“You see a huge increase and a very well deserved one for the excellence of the work that you have done,” said Rogge.

“We are waiting for the closing of the books on London, probably in a couple of weeks, so I would think that within a month we would be able to pay the last instalment.”

Rogge also revealed that a new format has been agreed which will see the 28 ASOIF sports split into five groups, and ASOIF Executive Director Andrew Ryan later confirmed that these will have some

influence on the level of payments from future Olympics.

Group A comprises Aquatics (FINA), Athletics (IAAF) and Gymnastics (FIG). Group B has Basketball (FIBA), Cycling (UCI), Football (FIFA), Tennis (ITF) and Volleyball (FIVB). In Group C are Archery (WA), Badminton (BWF), Boxing (AIBA), Judo (IJF), Rowing (FISA), Shooting (ISSF), Table Tennis

(ITTF) and Weightlifting (IWF). The nine sports in Group D are Canoe/Kayak (ICF), Equestrian (FEI), Fencing (FIE), Handball (IHF), Hockey (FIH), Sailing (ISAF), Taekwondo (WTF), Triathlon (ITU) and Wrestling (FILA). Modern Pentathlon (UIPM) is in Group E, along with Golf (IGF) and Rugby Union (IRB).

ASOIF President Francesco Ricci Bitti

admitted the changes could lead to a reduction in revenue for some sports and said work will begin to try and soften the impact. He said: “We will be available to discuss these criteria individually and collectively. Our job is to work within these groups and to make the situation as easy as possible.”

In a light-hearted exchange, Rogge responded: “You have thrown a hot potato in our hands, but you have now given us the gloves to protect our skin!”

Ryan confirmed after the meeting that there will be winners and losers under the new format, and that ASOIF will now start working on the detail.

Rogge also reported that the IOC is in favour of Word Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) remaining a service organisation, and of the establishment of an international body to target doping in sport. He said the IOC will create a monitoring group to help IFs and National Olympic Committees address illegal betting and he added that the same bodies will be supported in retaining their autonomy by the setting up of a commission to deal with concerns wherever they arise.

Rogge also said there will be greater co-ordination to ensure the event schedules of the IFs and NOCs do not overlap.

agenda: IOC President Jacques Rogge at Sportaccord Convention yesterday

SportAccord Convention is honoured to confirm that Vladimir Putin, the President of the Russian Federation, will visit the Lenexpo Exhibition Complex this afternoon.

The arrival of President Putin will mean there is a slightly later start for the highly-anticipated presentations by the Candidate Cities for the 2020 Olympic Games.

The bid presentations from Istanbul, Tokyo and Madrid, and their respective press conferences, have been pushed back by exactly one hour.

The Istanbul 2020 presentation will now run from 14:30-14:50, before the Tokyo 2020 presentation takes place from 15:10-15:30. Madrid 2020 will make its presentation from 15:50-16:10.

As a result of the reschedule, the press conferences following the presentations have also been pushed back to 16:30-16:50 for Istanbul 2020, 17:15-17:35 for Tokyo 2020 and 18:00-18:20 for Madrid 2020.

The final slots on the 2013 SportAccord Convention Conference Programme will also take place later than originally scheduled.

The Interview of the Day with Jean Todt, the President of the International Motorsport Federation (FIA), will run from 16:30-17:15, before the SportAccord Convention 2014 Host City Presentation takes place from 17:15-17:40. In late news on Wednesday evening, the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee recommended that baseball/softball, squash and wrestling be proposed to the 125th IOC Session for possible inclusion as an additional sport on the Olympic programme for the 2020 Olympic Games.

president to attend

2 NEWS

Cities must look into the futureA panel of expert speakers

acknowledged yesterday at the City Forum that hosts of major sporting competitions have to look

beyond short-term economic bene� ts when they are considering whether they are the right destination for an event.

In the panel discussion entitled ‘� e Right Fit: Matching Events with City Priorities’, panellists agreed that a positive legacy as part of a long-term vision is crucial.

“We have to be very cognisant that these events cost an enormous amount of money,” said Dr Laurine Platzky, Western Cape Deputy Director-General, who coordinated the region’s 2010 FIFA World Cup programme.

“It gave us enormous infrastructure, stadiums and transportation facilities, and our airports were completely revamped. Our service culture became very important. But we are very cautious with the opportunities that seem to sit up well, but that come at a great cost to the taxpayer as everyone knows that we have great challenges in terms of poverty and how to invest money.”

� e panel took into account the � nancial challenges faced by developing countries that are keen to make a mark in the sporting world.

“� e event really needs to be a milestone of long-term development for the city,” said Hazem Galal, Partner, State

and Local Government Sector Global Leader at PwC Qatar.

“In many ways when you look at developing cities it is what I call the Maslow hierarchy of cities – the legacy is going to be focused a lot more on developing infrastructure.

“Most importantly you must make sure that there is a sustainable legacy so that the infrastructure investments will be helpful for the development of the city and the country as well.

Bringing in the example of the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup, in which PwC is involved, Galal said that the tournament has “served as a catalyst because it comes with a date and a lot of scrutiny from the international community to actually implement these programmes on time”.

Andrew Craig, CEO of � e Craig Company and an Adviser to Baku for the 2015 European Games, added: “� e smaller the state, the more � exibility they have and the more direct lines of

communication exist to mould sport to what they want to happen in the context of the vision for the country. Azerbaijan has a clear vision of the goal of sport in the establishment of their nation.”

� e need to prioritise the knowledge-sharing process between host cities was also highlighted.

“Legacy doesn’t just happen,” Platzky added. “You have to plan it, you have to strategise it and you have to budget for it.”

ASOIF SET TO ADDRESS CHALLENGES

SPORTACCORDCONVENTION

SAINT PETERSBURG

THE DAILYThe Daily is produced by Squires Media – Editorial Communications and Publishing for the International Sporting Community – www.squiresmedia.comEditor: Rory SquiresJournalists: Phil Ascough, Daniel Kozin, Elena Nikulicheva, Alyona Podvyazkina, Natalia Smolentseva, Simon Redfern, Amanda Strenz, Peter Tenetko

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status as the umbrella body for its International Federations in all aspects of the sport movement where there are common issues.

Under his Presidency, ASOIF will continue to address what he believesare the four key challenges facing the sports.

He highlighted the issues around illegal and irregular betting and match-� xing, and the continuing � ght against doping in sport.

Ricci Bitti also spoke of the autonomy of the Olympic movement and warned that as sport becomes more important it will attract more government attention in some countries, and with that the risk of

more interference.Ryan added: “Another major concern is

the increasing amount of sport.“Our members su� er from an

absolutely full sporting calendar and every time someone comes up with another multi-sport event it has a really big impact.

“In particular it a� ects athletes who become more prone to injury and have less time for recovery and it also a� ects sponsors, who are faced with more requests for their investment.”IMPACT: Andrew Ryan

‘A major concern is the increasing amount of sport’

- Andrew Ryan

Continued from page 1

EVENT: Panellists at the City Forum

wednesday.indd 2 28/05/2013 19:59:25

2 news

Fans will continue to support sportsT he passion and resilience of

fans in the live arena and as media consumers will continue to support sport in the face of such controversies

as athlete scandals and debatable broadcasting policies.

Sponsors too are generally committed to strengthening their relationships with sport because of its benefits in helping brands to tell their story.

The themes emerged as panellists assembled at SportAccord Convention with Moderator David Eades to consider the question: How Fit is Sport?

Lisa Murray, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Octagon Worldwide, lined up alongside Vasily Kiknadze, CEO of Sports Broadcasting (Panorama), Donald Fehr, Executive Director of the National Hockey League Players’ Association and Jim Bell, Executive Producer of NBC Olympics at NBC Universal.

Eades explored sport’s partnerships with some of its key stakeholders and pulled no punches as he sought answers on drug abuse by players, the lock-out which hit last season’s National Hockey League season and the decision by NBC not to broadcast live coverage of the men’s 100m final at the London Olympics.

Panellists rose to the challenge and responded with positive messages about

the enduring appeal of sport even in adversity and the ability of TV to harness increasingly sophisticated technology to deliver ever-improving, more comprehensive coverage.

Murray said: “Fans are resilient. They are smart and they are loyal. Our studies of fan passion identified 16 different drivers, including love of the game, athlete affinity, team devotion. There are times when they will shy away, but they are resilient and they will come back.

“Brands are looking for a place where they can tell their story, and tell

it to different types of fans. Research shows there’s nothing like sport and entertainment for making sure their objectives are met.”

Fehr added: “There is a tendency sometimes to forget that sport is not divorced or separated from the society in which it takes place, so if you have a substance abuse problem in society generally, it would be strange and astonishing if it didn’t show up in sport.

“If you have a culture that is engaged in gambling on sport, there are going to be some bad apples. I think fans understand

that it’s not different from the rest of us. That to a large extent is why they are forgiving.”

Bell developed the theme of athletes bouncing back from bad experiences, drawing the response from Eades: “Is Lance Armstrong going to come back?”

Bell conceded: “That’s a complicated one! It’s probably too much.

"People are forgiving, there are people who have served their time and come back, but I think that one is an extreme case.”

Kiknadze said: “It is important to continue the fight against drugs, there is no discussion about that, but maybe there is sense in thinking that an offender, if we trust them, can advise young athletes.”

Bell picked up on the London Olympics 100m issue and emphasised that coverage policies will change as technology continues to develop.

“Live is nice but not always critical in every case. By using the technology that was available, everything was available live somewhere.”

Kiknadze outlined his company’s strategy for the Sochi 2014 Olympics: “We will focus on the events where we expect Russia to win a gold medal and we will prepare profiles on teams and athletes which can be edited and updated live.

“We want to inform and improve our audiences.”

turn your brand into a ‘love mark’Kevin Roberts, the CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi, urged delegates to make their brands “irresistible” as he opened day one of the Conference Programme with a captivating Keynote Address.

Roberts, who heads up the global advertising giant, said that his company approaches the concept of a VUCA world – representing volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity – from a different perspective.

“We live in a SUPERVUCA world – it is a vibrant, unreal, crazy and astounding world,” Roberts said.

“The challenge that we face as a sport is how in a SUPERVUCA world can you guys can get ahead, get in touch and stay connected with ideas and not become a

defensive, fraternalistic bureaucracy.“Sport can produce a better world

because it produces better people and because it unites everyone. The Olympics is the greatest example of sport as a unifying thing.”

Roberts added that it was crucial to recognise the difference between a ‘brand’ and a ‘love mark’.

He added: “A love mark is something that people want to be a part of – a movement that they not only respect, but they also love. Brands are ruled by bored managers, whereas love marks are ruled by the people who love them.

“Brands build loyalty for a reason, but a love mark creates loyalty beyond the reason.”

Roberts expanded on his point by citing the example of Apple.

“Everybody now has an iPad, iPhone or iPad, because Steve Jobs made Apple irresistible,” Roberts said. “That is what you should do with your brand.

“There are three secrets to making your brand irresistible – a love mark. You need to infuse it with mystery, sensuality and intimacy.”

Roberts also underlined the role of the industry’s creative leaders, who will continue to develop innovative ways to engage the public.

“Creative leaders ask only three things when they see an idea,” he added. “Do I want to see it again? Do I want to share it? And do I want to improve it?”

audiences: The panel discussed the public’s relationship with sport

challenge: Kevin Roberts

news 3

Russian Olympic Committee President Alexander Zhukov highlighted nationwide support for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games as he welcomed delegates to the start of the SportAccord Convention Conference

Programme yesterday.Zhukov, who is also First Deputy Chairman of

the State Duma of the Russian Federation, cited the numerous sporting events that are scheduled to take place in the country over the coming years, and said that the whole nation is excited about the Sochi Winter Games next year.

“These days are important for our country in terms of the promotion of sport and healthy lifestyles among Russian people,” Zhukov said.

“Less than one year from now Russia will host the 2014 Sochi Olympic Games. Moreover, in the next few years we will host many major sport events such as the World Championships in athletics and ice hockey.

“Since winning the bid six years ago, the Olympic Games has become a top-priority project for the whole

country. Almost all of our regions are involved in preparing and hosting the Games.

“Today we can say that the whole of Russia is now a big fan club of the Olympic Games. Sochi 2014 has become an inspiration for the whole nation, and more and more people are getting involved in sport.”

Zhukov added that the Games will have a lasting impact on Russian sport.

“We are interested in creating not just the sport legacy, but also social, economical and technical legacy,” he added.

“Sport is an important national ideal that unites people across the whole country, regardless of their age or any other differences.

“Russia’s key interest in this area is to promote healthy lifestyles and prevent problems with drugs and alcohol amongst young people.

“Such problems require our consideration. We need to use as many forces all over the world as possible to keep sport clean and fair, and that should be the aim of this conference.”

sochi 2014 A ‘Top pRioRiTy’

inspiRation: alexander Zhukov

be creative in tough timesCreativity and innovation came forward as solutions for sport in dealing with falling demand and shrinking budgets as the global economy was discussed in a SportAccord Convention round table debate.

Michael Forde, Executive Director of Chelsea FC, said the club is in touch with traditional football markets in England but has also developed new opportunities in Asia.

Harvey Schiller, Vice Chair of the 201 America’s Cup 2013 floated high-tech options: “Getting into new forms of distribution in the digital world is really where we’re going. We need to tap into revenues through specialised content.”

Andrew Zimbalist, Robert A Woods Professor of Economics at Smith College, warned that cost-control becomes essential when a team cannot increase demand by improving performances, but he added that sport has unique advantages.

“What sports does, whether it’s the Olympics or the World Cup or a local sporting event, is it brings people together, it gives a sense of community and cohesion and passion that they don’t experience in other areas of life,” he said.

“Sport teams have to be smart about this, they have to plan for uncertainty, they have to diversify. It’s still a tough road ahead but there is terrific opportunity.”

4 news

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essar Gabriel, General secretary, iaaF

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ice hockey legend Vyacheslav Fetisov promoted sport as an instrument to change the lives of people, nations and society when he took to the stage at SportAccord Convention.

The man who made the successful transition from world-class sport to international politics said that sport and governments can work together, as demonstrated by this week’s events in Saint Petersburg.

“SportAccord and IFs gave a chance to poor countries to enter the world stage,” he said.

“It is a special tradition for the Convention and the IOC to recognise small organisations. I think the Convention gives us a chance to relive different experiences of different countries and it provides a great opportunity to promote sport.”

Fetisov was one of the first players to move from Russia to the National Hockey League, and became a member of the League’s Hall of Fame. He managed and coached Russia’s national ice hockey team, and also served as the Minister for Sport for six years, when he saw some positive changes.

“Modern Russian sports education principles are to

give a chance to kids all around the world,” he said.“President Putin has put sport as his priority, raised

the budget 40 times, put the government to work and built more than 2,000 new sport facilities.

“To our government, sport is a social phenomenon. Youngsters get into sport, they communicate as a team.”

That commitment to young people emerged as a recurring theme during his appearance in yesterday’s Interview of the Day slot with Charmaine Crooks.

“The government must give a chance to the kids,” he said. “Educating kids is not a problem. There are good instruments, good tools to get kids from street level and eventually to big sport – this is our international goal.”

But Fetisov warned that in addition to offering an escape route, sport brings its own pressures at all levels.

“Sochi is a lot of pressure. I was the Sports Minister when Sochi was planned and we want to do everything perfectly,” he said.

“We have dreamed of playing in a home Olympic Games, and the pressure is going to be huge on the Russian athletes, but I think we can handle it.”

school oF spoRT

political support key for major events, olympic hosts agreePolitical support is crucial in successfully preparing for a major sporting event, according to Rio 2016 Olympic Games Organising Committee President Carlos Arthur Nuzman (pictured) and UK Sports Minister Hugh Robertson.

The duo were high-profile speakers on a panel entitled ‘Gains and Gambles for Government’ on day one of the SportAccord Convention Conference Programme.

Both individuals have been central figures in two of the biggest sporting events of the decade, with Robertson able to look back at the London 2012 Olympics and Nuzman looking forward to the next edition of the Summer Games in Brazil in three years’ time.

“The key to our success in the bidding race for the Olympics was integration with the government and the support we received from the officials who all had a clear vision of what we would like to do,” Nuzman said.

Robertson added: “You should have cross-party support for the bid, because you never know what will happen when you win the bid. You could find yourself sitting in the hot seat.

“The relationship between the organisers and the government is very important. However, everyone needs to be very clear about the actions and zones of the responsibilities.”

Nuzman added that the public has to be convinced of the benefits of bidding. However, those who remember the joyous celebrations on Copacabana Beach when Rio won its bid for the 2016 Games will

know that the Olympics will be a popular arrival in Brazil.

“The biggest concern a bid team might have is to convince people and the government that it should bid,” Nuzman added.

“There might be worries that the country could lose a bid. However, there are real benefits of staging the Games for normal Brazilians.

“The Games that will take place in Rio are not for Rio or even just Brazil – they are significant for the whole region. People will remember the historic moment when the Games moved to Latin America. The Olympic Games in Rio will bring a new dimension for the country and a new dimension for the people.”

edUCaTIOn: Vyacheslav Fetisov

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The_Daily_Advert_Madrid2020.halfpage_v01.pdf 1 19/04/2013 14:59

Many International Federations are continuing to struggle to commit the necessary resources towards the fight against doping, according to Françoise Dagouret, the Director of the

SportAccord Doping-Free Sport Unit (DFSU).Speaking at the DFSU Press Breakfast at SportAccord

Convention yesterday, Dagouret said that positive steps had been made in the battle against doping, particularly with the news that SportAccord recently achieved 100-per-cent compliance of the World Anti-Doping Agency Code across its International Federation membership.

However, Dagouret said that challenges still remain, in terms of investing against the problem and knowledge-sharing between stakeholders in the sports movement.

“One of the challenges is exactly the same problem that we faced four years ago – the lack of resources – and we have not fixed that problem,” Dagouret said.

“If an International Federation does not have enough resources to pay for a few tests, then there is very, very little that we can do. That remains a key issue.

“In some cases, anti-doping is not considered to be a priority.

“Many smaller IFs focus on the development of sports, on organising events and world championships, for example, and unfortunately anti-doping is always considered to be lower down the list.

“However, in saying that, there were a few Federations four years ago that did not really know what anti-doping was, but that has now changed for the better and they are familiar with the topic.”

SportAccord DFSU’s strategic alliance with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) began in 2009, and funding from WADA and the International Olympic

Committee enables the Unit to provide expert advice and support for its member IFs.

“We are delighted about this achievement, especially when considering the vast progress made by SportAccord member IFs since November 2010, when a first interim compliance status of Code Signatories was presented by WADA,” Dagouret added.

“We now look towards the future, with the Code revision process ongoing, and a new Code will be effective as of January 1, 2015.

“What are the differences between the 2009 Code and the new Code? From the discussions and the constitution process and draft versions that have been published, there is a clear trend to focus on quality rather than quantity.

“It will not be just about the number of tests, but more about the manner of the tests and how they can be more efficient.

“Education will also represent a part of the code, although it will be a difficult process to measure the quality of an education process.

“Another difference is that we are going to raise the bar in terms of Code compliance. It will be a more intelligent approach.

“One of the big changes in the next Code will be an agreement with WADA whereby we will be able to negotiate the substances they may analyse, depending on the characteristics, risk and physical demands of the sport. It is also clear that the focus will be on co-ordination between anti-doping organisations, in terms of sharing information.

“One of the key issues in anti-doping is co-operation between sporting organisations, IFs and national anti-doping organisations. There are several statements in the Code that require such co-operation.”

put more into fight to beat drugs

the 2013 sportaccord General assembly will take place tomorrow (Friday) from 08:00-13:00 in the main auditorium, hall 8a. registered representatives of the media are invited to attend the event.Manfred schaefer, president of the international Federation of icestocksport (iFi), has revealed that the global governing body has expanded its membership

base to 42 countries by welcoming india into the fold. icestocksport is steadily expanding its reach and is now played in African countries such as Kenya and namibia, as well as Argentina, paraguay, Brazil, peru and Guatemala in latin America plus canada and the United states in north America. iFi, which has been a Member of sportAccord for two years,

represents some 700,000 active players worldwide.denmark has tabled a bid to host the 2016 international rowing Federation (Fisa) World rowing masters regatta. the bid was presented to the Fisa masters rowing Commission in london. “the presentation went very well,” danish rowing Federation president henning bay nielsen said.

6 news

The prospect of men and women judging each other’s gymnastics events moved a step closer to becoming reality when International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) President Bruno Grandi underlined his organisation’s commitment to equality in sport.

Grandi and his Secretary General Andre Gueisbuhler added the FIG to the growing list of signatories of the Brighton Agreement.

Introduced in 1994, the Agreement aims to develop a culture that enables and values the full involvement of women in every aspect of sport. But it also promotes equality for men where necessary, and Grandi said there is room for progress in gymnastics.

“In our sport women have overtaken the men,” said Grandi as the signing ceremony took place at the Sport Finland stand at SportAccord Convention.

Grandi said men outnumber women on the FIG Executive Committee, but men are denied the opportunity to take part in rhythmic gymnastics, and there are restrictions on judging.

He said: “Women do not want men to compete in rhythmic gymnastics and they do not want to be judged by men. We need to change the mentality and that will take time, but the commitment we have made today will help.”

Kate Laine, Communications Manager for the International Working Group on Women and Sport (IWG), said the support is welcome

as the organisation prepares to celebrate its 20th anniversary next year.

“We are happy to see that after 20 years the Declaration is still seen as relevant and important,” she said. “Gymnastics is interesting because it has been dominated by women, but it is important that our equality principles also apply to boys and men who might want to take part competitively or recreationally, because sport should welcome everyone.”

The IWG is based at the Finnish Sports Confederation in Helsinki and will next year host its sixth World Conference on Women and Sport from June 12–15.

FiG may ChanGe judGinG

signing: andre gueisbuhler, Kate laine, Bruno grandi and Risto nieminen

insights“Media rights generate the third largest revenue stream (after gate revenues and sponsorship) and account for 24.1 per cent of the global sports market. however, it is the fastest growing sector at 6.6% Cagr if only continuous events such as league championships are considered.”

From pwC’s Changing the game: outlook for the global sports market to 2015 published in december 2011

CaTChing up wiTh...

stephen Mirabilepresident and chief operating officer, contemporary Group

the daily: For those who don’t know, how exactly is Contemporary Group involved in the sports industry?stephen mirabile: “Contemporary Group is a collection of well-established companies that provide services on an international basis for clients. Some examples of what we do are event services, so we organise the event operations for an organising committee, for example, and we can provide services such as event security. We also provide training and consulting services. Contemporary International is also an official supplier of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games.”the daily: tell us more about the company’s involvement in sochi...sm: “I’m pretty excited about the upcoming Games in Sochi. This is my ninth Olympic Games, and Contemporary International has provided services to the nine previous Games, so this is the most exciting thing we have on our plate right now. Right now our focus is on Sochi 2014. They are our lead client and we are providing a service to them in Moscow as well as Sochi, and we will eventually, towards the end of the year, move the rest of our team down to Sochi.”the daily: it’s also a great opportunity to work in a growing sports market...sm: “Well, the FIFA World Cup is coming up in 2018 and that would be something that is pretty exciting for us. We want to build relationships with the client as you never know where they will end up after Sochi – they could end up supporting the World Cup, and we would be honoured to support Russia with another major event.”

the daily: other than sochi, what are Contemporary Group’s other projects right now? sm: “The Contemporary Group, CSC – the parent company in North America – is involved in more than 8,000 events per year. We have over 50,000 members of staff, we have 50 offices and we service over 200 cities. The projects involve anything from sporting events to concerts, award shows and inaugurations.”the daily: you have been involved in the past nine editions

of the olympic Games, and you now have been involved in sportaccord Convention for nine years, haven’t you?sm: “Yes, this is our ninth year as a Gold Partner. What do we get out of it? Well it seems like a simple answer, but relationships. Not only do I come here and meet new people and new faces, but I get a chance to see people I haven’t seen in a long time, from the Games in Atlanta in 1996, or the Games in Sydney in 2000, or people that we’ve worked with before on different projects. There are just so many different aspects of relationships and networking, and that has been the critical part for us.”the daily: What do you see as Contemporary Group’s biggest successes? sm: “From my perspective, I would say that every event we do and every time we’re involved in something, we learn something new about the client, about the culture and about how they do business. I would say that our success story is being able to move from country to country and adapt to that culture – so it is the Games of Russia, the Games of Greece or the Games of Italy, for example. So it’s important to us to make sure that it’s about what they want to achieve.”

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FINA was promised a world-class World Swimming Championships next year as it met with hosts Qatar at SportAccord Convention.

The organisation has taken the step of bringing together competitors and corporate supporters by scheduling the event jointly with its World Aquatics Convention, a move which President Julio Maglione said has raised expectations.

“It is a special championship and we are very happy – we are absolutely sure that it will be the best world championship in our history,” said Maglione.

“Like SportAccord, we bring together the business and sport, and international federations.”

Maglione also underlined the strength of the partnership with FINA’s hosts for the event: “Qatar for us is not only 2014, but also the past and the future. We are great collaborators and we have excellent

relations with the Qatar Olympic committee.”

For Qatar, the double bill of Championships and Convention represents an opportunity to set out its stall in an attempt to attract more big events, with a target of hosting 50 by 2020.

The FIFA World Cup in 2022 stands out, and the nation is also targeting handball and cycling.

Faisal Saleh Al-Mansoori, Director of Public Relations and Marketing for the Qatar Olympic Committee, said: “Hosting the Olympics is a big dream, and hopefully it will come true soon. We have the passion and it is in our DNA, in our heart, that one time the Olympics should be held in the Middle East and especially Doha.

“We believe that any event we host must be world class. We promise it’s going to be a world-class event; good preparation is going on, especially for FINA next year.”

soChi is readydmitry

Chernyshenko, the President and CEO of the Sochi 2014 Organising

Committee, has declared the Russian city is ready to host next year’s Winter Olympic Games.

Sochi has undergone an intensive phase of test events to ensure its competition venues are ready to welcome the best athletes in winter sports in less than nine months’ time.

“We have just come to the end of the most extensive test events programme in Winter Games history – three times as many as Vancouver 2010,” Chernyshenko said.

“Twenty top-class events, 130 training and competition days, 3,000 competitors, 7,500 staff and volunteers, and 3,000 members of the media. And, for me the most important of all: 130,000 spectators.

“It is a huge achievement for a city that was a summer resort until 2007. So the message after this last test event season is simple: we are ready.”

Chernyshenko acknowledged that, as expected, challenges remain in the months before the start of the Games, but added that Sochi

is on track to stage a memorable event.

“Of course there were things we must improve – that’s why we have test events,” he added.

“It’s better to see where we need to improve now rather than in eight months’ time.

“However, the feedback we have

had from IFs, from media and especially from the athletes has been really helpful – and the huge majority has been positive.”

“On Friday it will be just 250 days before the Opening Ceremony, and I think we can approach that last stretch with great confidence.”

Qatar promises ‘world- class’ swimming event

STUnnIng: The Bolshoi Ice dome in Sochi

8 arounD The ConvenTion

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aists aCColadeT he International Academy of Sport

Science and Technology’s (AISTS) Master in Sport Administration (MSA) has been recognised officially as one of the top sports management programmes

in the world.The MSA has clinched third place in the

Eduniversal Best Masters Ranking of sports programmes, which takes into account the satisfaction of the students, the salary of the graduates’ first job after leaving and the reputation of the programme. Eduniversal produces the only ranking in this area that evaluates programmes rather than institutions.

The MSA is a one-year postgraduate programme that incorporates seven months of study and two months of professional experience in the sports industry. The programme is endorsed by the International Olympic Committee and located in Lausanne, Switzerland, and its graduates have moved on to influential and exciting careers in the global sports industry.

“Our graduates are pretty much all over the world, but a

lot of them are in the Lausanne region, the ‘Silicone Valley’ of sport, where there is a concentration

of International Federations plus the International Olympic Committee (IOC),” Dominique Gobat, the Head of Marketing and Communications at AISTS, told The Daily.

“Some of them do end up in organising committees and others start up their

own entrepreneurial projects in sport – for example in supplying and manufacturing

sports equipment.”The programme is targeted at

candidates who have a university degree and previous work

experience but wish to re-orientate their career in the sports industry, and current or former professional athletes.

In March, the Academy launched its Sport Sustainability E-Learning programme, which was jointly developed by AISTS and Positive Impact, with the IOC and SportAccord as Principal Supporting Partners.

The MSA itself is organised by the AISTS and also co-signed by EPFL (the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne), UNIL (the University of Lausanne), UNIGE (the University of Geneva), and IDHEAP (the Swiss Graduate School of Public Administration).

“The majority of the people applying for the MSA are lawyers, doctors, engineers and people in general administration or business who want to get into sport,” Gobat added.

“I think that education in sport is still regarded as a relatively new concept, and slowly but surely there is more and more recognition of the need for people who are trained in educating others in sport.

“More graduates are going on to work at International Federations, so our presence in the industry is definitely expanding.” Check out aists on stand 95

'There is more and more recognition of the need for people who are trained in educating others in sport'

Business: dominique gobat

Woa inspiredMike Miller, the newly-appointed CEO of the World Olympians Association (WOA), believes the organisation is ready to step into a bright new era.

Miller, who served as Chief Executive of the International Rugby Board (IRB) until last year, was appointed last month as the first CEO of the Association, which helps to support former Olympic athletes around the world and promotes Olympism in the international sporting community.

“It’s like a new beginning for the WOA, and I’m very proud to be a part of it,” Miller told The Daily. “We help their transition from being athletes to entering a career afterwards, and we have made some very good progress.

“We know that lots of Olympians struggle to get a career when it is all over, but we will provide education, resources and all that is needed for them to make the transition from one career to another. On the educational front, we are speaking to the World Academy of Sport about a partnership, and ahead of that they have donated two scholarships for Olympians.”

The Association’s President, Joël Bouzou, added: “Our organisation provides a service to Olympians and also encourages Olympians to serve society. I have a lot of hope that our vision will transform into action as there are too many lives waiting to be changed.”

help: Mike Miller

arounD The ConvenTion 9ipC aCademy launChes soChi 2014 CampusThe IPC Academy, the Education Partner of the International Paralympic Committee, has announced the launch of its Sochi 2014 campus.

The Academy unveiled the new campus after the huge success of the London 2012 Campus programmes. The Academy improves educational standards within sport throughout the Paralympic Movement and ensures that executives, administrators and officials have an educational centre that is sensitive to their needs and in touch with trends and developments.

For Sochi 2014, the campus will provide a learning focus and connection point across the various education and knowledge-transfer programmes taking place throughout next year’s Paralympic Winter Games.

The campus will include three programmes, covering a range of topics – the Observers’ Programme, the Games Experience Programme and an Inclusion Summit.

IPC Chief Executive Xavier Gonzalez said: “The Games provide an important platform for communities to improve perceptions of people with an impairment and therefore create a more inclusive society. We actively encourage this evolution by continually developing new initiatives to allow engagement and learning opportunities.”

Looking at strategic management and the integration of partners in delivering a major sporting event, the Games Experience programme is aimed at industry providers and government partners from countries throughout the world. It gives individuals an opportunity to learn from the experiences of Sochi and its stakeholders.

The Inclusion Summit showcases the Paralympics as a platform to create societal change in the way that people with an impairment are viewed both in public and through the media. This programme in 2012 is considered to have generated many interesting debates, drawing from the work that was achieved through hosting the Paralympic Games.

The Observers’ Programme, which was oversubscribed in 2012, proved an essential part of the knowledge transfer process for the IPC, and is sure to be equally, if not more successful in Sochi. The recent addition of the ‘expert’s hour’ to the programme has helped encourage more specific, in-depth debates, making the programme even more beneficial for all those involved.

Each programme has been designed to meet the specific client needs at both a strategic and operational level.For more information, email: mcary@worldacademysport.com

saint Petersburg is poised to use the success of SportAccord Convention and other major sports activities to establish itself as a fixture in the international events calendar.

Yuri Avdeev, Chairman of the Saint Petersburg Committee for Physical Culture and Sport, said the city is already looking five years ahead to the FIFA World Cup Finals.

But he added there is much more sporting excitement to come before then, with inspiration to be drawn from a proud history of achievement.

Avdeev expanded on the comments made before SportAccord Convention by the Governor of Saint Petersburg, Georgy Poltavchenko, who told of the efforts being made to produce the Russian sports stars of the future.

Avdeev, like Poltavchenko, told The Daily that the new generation will be motivated by impressive performances from the past and present.

“Today in Saint Petersburg there live more than 80 Olympic champions of different ages and all of them are very active in promoting Olympic values and ideals among the youth,” he said.

“Saint Petersburg is a major European sports centre, a city of glorious sporting traditions and Olympic names. The results of the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games proved that Saint Petersburg is one of the leading cities of Russian sports – Saint Petersburgians won 12 Olympic and nine Paralympic medals of various denominations. We are aiming to increase our potential in this area.”

Avdeev highlighted the assistance being provided to young athletes by the likes of figure skating legends Tamara Moskvina and Alexey Mishin, who won world and national medals in the 1960s.

Saint Petersburg has 30 sportsmen and women pushing for places in the Russian team for the 2014 Sochi Winter Games, and the city is making an even bigger impact across the wider sporting spectrum.

“In various national teams for summer and winter sports there are nearly 800 Saint Petersburgians – you have to agree that this is a weighty team!” he said.

And the weighty team is being backed by heavy investment in infrastructure. Avdeev pointed to the Ice Palace built for the 2000 World Ice Hockey

Championship, to modern centres for sports including cycling, volleyball, watersports and gymnastics, and to brand new facilities taking shape.

“At the moment, Saint Petersburg already has a number of sports facilities of the highest level that can accommodate the very largest international competitions,” he said.

“As for new sports facilities, there is ongoing construction of the football stadium on Krestovsky Island. In late 2012 the construction of the athletic arena in the Petrograd district on Krestovsky Island began and the design of the athletic complex on Basseinaya Street was completed.

Also, the Committee for Physical Culture and Sports signed a state contract for the construction of a skating stadium on Demyan Bedny Street in the Kalinin district.”

This year Saint Petersburg will host the second World Martial Arts Games and a stage of the 2013 Kazan Summer Universiade torch relay. Next year the torch relays for the Sochi 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Games will pass through the city.

The new sporting venues, being constructed and maintained to the highest standards required by the international sporting community, leave Avdeev confident that more events will follow.

He said: “A number of international sports federations plan to choose Saint Petersburg as the host of world and continental championships.”

Avdeev hails olympians

potential: Yuri avdeev

The Commonwealth games federation is carrying out preparatory work in co-operation with the next two host countries of the Commonwealth youth games as well as the team behind the 2018 Commonwealth games, according to Chief executive Mike hooper. “of course the glasgow 2014 games remains our primary focus for the year ahead and we’ll be holding our general assembly in glasgow in

august followed by a Chef de Missions seminar in January 2014,” hooper told The Daily. “we will continue to work with our colleagues in samoa and st lucia on preparations for the next two editions of the youth games set for 2015 and 2017, respectively. we are also undertaking preparatory work with the hosts of the 2018 Commonwealth games in the gold Coast, australia.”

10 arounD The ConvenTion

Zahra Nemati, the first Iranian woman to win a gold medal at Olympic or Paralympic level, picked up another accolade yesterday when she was named the individual winner in

SportAccord’s Spirit of Sport awards, which are given annually to those whose sporting achievement or work has led to positive social change.

The 2012 Paralympic archery champion, who was nominated by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), edged out Polish Aikido sensei Piotr Borowski to the top prize for helping to alter perceptions in Iranian society of disabled people and inspiring women to take up para-archery in her native country.

Meanwhile, the three project awards – given to SportAccord members committed to supporting sport programmes dedicated to social betterment – went to ‘Wheelchair Tennis’, ‘Out of Africa’ and ‘Ping Pong Paix’. ‘Wheelchair Tennis’, which was nominated by the International Tennis Federation

(ITF), claimed first prize for its work since 2003 in establishing wheelchair tennis programmes in 35 predominately developing nations.

‘Out of Africa’, recommended by the International Cycling Union (UCI), took second place for providing equipment, expertise and access to a sport that, while immensely popular in Europe and elsewhere, is still on the road to development in Africa. Athletes from all over the world – mostly from developing nations – are brought to Switzerland, taught skills and provided with opportunities with which to excel.

‘Ping Pong Paix’, proposed by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), was awarded third place for promoting peace through a table tennis programme in the troubled lake region between Burundi and Congo DR, where children are at risk of being recruited as soldiers.

“We hope that these awards will inspire other International Federations to engage in similar endeavours,” SportAccord Convention President Hein Verbruggen said.

nemati wins spirit award

tweets of the day

ausTrackrecord @ausTrackrecord9hready for another great day at #sacon13. Catherine & barry at australia unlimited stand, raring to go! @saconventionafl europe @afl_europe7hGreat to be at the #saCon13 with the industry leaders in sport and international federations of all sizesbill Cooper @wJgCooper6h“@jamesemmett: #saCon13 rogge announces us$519.6m 2 b split between summer olympic int’l sports feds from london. up from us$296m in beijingandy westlake @andywestlake6hkevin roberts @ saatchi & saatchi “if you want to change the world all you need is an idea...ideas are the currency of today” #saCon13CharmaineCrooks @charmainecrooks6hsaachti + saatchi Ceo kevin roberts speaks on “winning + changing the world through ideas +being more than a brand”sandra jackle @MissJackle2hreceived my official muaythai certificate! i’m officially licensed to kill...calories. #iFma #saCon13 #teamCanada @tourism_regina

tRiBute: iranian athlete Zahra nemati

arounD The ConvenTion 11

it will come as little surprise to followers of the international sporting community that Vincent Gaillard’s in-tray has been full ever since he took the reins as Director General of SportAccord nearly two years ago.

With more than 100 member International Federations all with their own objectives and challenges, and with the changing trends of the broader sporting landscape, SportAccord is an organisation that branches into many areas.

At the helm of the umbrella body that makes international sport tick, Gaillard has had his hands full since moving to Lausanne from The Coca-Cola Company in London.

“This new role has effectively turned out to be as I had expected,” Gaillard told The Daily.

“It is a big, exciting challenge in every respect, operationally, strategically, and politically, the latter clearly providing a steep learning curve!

“I have thoroughly enjoyed this first phase of understanding the environment and the dynamics of a membership organisation, understanding the way decisions are being made, assessing the best way to add value to our membership through existing and new services, and developing this truly amazing team of people which I have the privilege of leading.

“So, all in all, this provides the new challenge and the excitement I was looking forward to after more than a decade working with a very different organisation.

“Above all, I remain extremely enthusiastic about the development potential ahead of us, looking at what SportAccord can do to support its members, and sport in general through structured social responsibility, integrity, governance or doping-free sport initiatives, for instance.”

One of the key areas of focus for SportAccord is the development of new events that group together member IFs, with David Nivelle having led the organisation’s Multi-Sports Games unit since September of last year.

According to Gaillard, establishing a series of Multi-Sports Games – starting with five concepts that are already being developed – is one of several top priorities for SportAccord going forward.

“It is a critical and highly strategic piece of our development, for two main reasons,” Gaillard said.

“Firstly, the SportAccord Games will be effective in promoting our members' sports and disciplines.

“Secondly, they will generate revenue that can be reinvested in the development of new services for our membership. We have a very large and diverse membership, which governs an even larger number of

sports and disciplines, many of which are in need of further media and public exposure. That is the main reason for the development of our various Games concepts.

“We want to be able to showcase, in the same city and venues, well-established sports next to lesser-known ones, demonstrating the true diversity of the sport practice around the world.

“The World Combat Games, taking place in Saint-Petersburg in October this year, is a perfect example of this.

“We are creating a festival of martial arts, bringing along the well-established sports of Fencing, Judo, Taekwondo or Wrestling, for instance, next to lesser-known sports such as Muaythai, Savate, Sumo, Kickboxing or Aikido, amongst others.

“This diversity is a truly unique feature of the SportAccord Games, next to the ‘festival’ concept

which we are further developing, which effectively means more accessible, festive sporting events, combining ‘elite’ sport with mass participation, hosted in a responsible way.

“We want to lead the way in ensuring our core activities of doping-free sport, social responsibility, integrity and good governance are deeply embedded in how we organise our events.

“At the 2013 SportAccord World Combat Games, for instance, we intend to make it mandatory for each of our 1,500-plus athlete participants to be educated in the fight against illegal betting and match-fixing.”

Gaillard’s reference to darker issues is a sharp reminder that the battle to clean up sport is a journey, rather than a destination.

Over the past year, SportAccord has developed, with the support of the World and European Lotteries Associations, “effective tools” for IFs to tackle illegal betting and match-fixing. Meanwhile, SportAccord recently achieved 100 percent compliance of the World Anti-Doping Agency Code across its IF membership –

a step Gaillard hailed as a “major milestone”. “We have first and foremost focused on strengthening our core activities,” he added.

“Additionally, we have continued to develop good governance, social responsibility and sustainable event management services.

“We have also launched our bid to acquire the .sport internet domain name on behalf of the sport movement, as well as several new digital platforms to better support our members’ organisations and sports.”

s o a challenging, but exciting future for SportAccord awaits, and tomorrow morning at the organisation’s General Assembly here in

Saint Petersburg a new leader will be elected to succeed long-serving President Hein Verbruggen and to steer SportAccord through its next phase.

The two candidates for the role are International Rugby Board President Bernard Lapasset and International Judo Federation President Marius Vizer.

Gaillard believes that the tasks facing the new head of SportAccord, following Verbruggen’s 10-year tenure, are clear to see.

“The challenge of our future President, as I see it, will be to pursue the development of SportAccord with the same drive and energy that President Verbruggen displayed during his tenure,” Gaillard concluded.

“The new President will need to ensure SportAccord continues to play an active role in supporting its membership in the areas that will be critical to their development in the decades ahead, addressing the emerging threats that are popping up on the horizon.

“All this will need to be done with judgement and a spirit of collaboration with the other sports organisations around us, in order to be better integrated and more effective.

“The new President will also need to take SportAccord to the next phase in terms of governance, accountability and financial stability, and the administration will of course be here to support him. So there are busy years ahead!”

We’re ready Forthe ChallenGe

‘We have continued to develop good governance, social responsibility and sustainable event management services’

sportAccord director General Vincent Gaillard is enjoying the demands of his role...

enThUSIaSTIC: Vincent gaillard

12 agenDaToDay aT a a glanCeall Day sporTaCCorD ConvenTion eXhibiTion09:00-17:50 ConferenCe prograMMe(Conference auditorium, hall 7)09:00-09:45 industry insight: smile, you’re on Camera (david hill)10:00-10:45 sochi in the spotlight (dmitry Chernyshenko)11:00-11:30 super human – sport, and the athletes of the Future (prof. andy miah)11:30-12:30 debate: brave new World – bionic sport of the Future16:30-17:15 interview of the day: jean todt17:15-17:40 sportaccord Convention 2014 host City presentation17:40-17:50 Closing remarks, end of Conference

2020 olyMpiCs CanDiDaTe CiTy presenTaTions(Conference auditorium, hall 7)14:30-14:50 istanbul15:10-15:30 tokyo15:50-16:10 madrid

MeeTings 08:00–13:00 sportaccord Council meeting (iFs meeting room)09:00–13:00 ioC executive board meeting (ioC eb meeting room)15:00–18:00 ioC executive board meeting (ioC eb meeting room)18:00–19:30 sportaccord Convention board meeting (iFs meeting room)

sporTs DeMo Zonemodern pentathlon (uipm), judo (ijF), 2013 World Combat Games, aikido (iaF), karate (WkF)

soCial 16:30–18:30 exhibition showcase Cocktail (exhibition area)19:00–22:00 Closing event for all participants (park inn by radisson prebaltiyskaya hotel)22:00 after hours drinks (sokos hotel palace bridge)

Morning eXerCise sessions (06:15)today: Group 5km walk/runtomorroW: Group 5km walk/run

After a busy week of networking at SportAccord Convention, delegates will be able to relax and unwind by enjoying exquisite Russian

cuisine and soaking up the sounds of one of Saint Petersburg’s most famous musical ensembles at the closing ceremony tonight.

The ceremony will take place at the Park Inn by Radisson Prebaltiyskaya Hotel and will start at 19:00 in the Blue Hall, where guests will be greeted by welcome drinks as a DJ plays background music.

Then, at 20:00, Saint Petersburg band Terem-Quartet will be centre stage as they perform a half-hour set.

“The Terem-Quartet has taken part in a lot of international music contests and has become a symbol of Saint Petersburg – just like the Hermitage, the Mariinsky Theatre and the Russian Museum,” Elena Alexeeva, Travel Service Department Manager of

ExpoForum International, told The Daily. For the dinner, delegates will have a

choice of Russian and Californian menus. The Russian cuisine will be represented by caviar, canapés and pickled herring for starters while there will be a variety of meat and fish dishes ranging from pies to kebabs for the main course, before a selection of delicious pastries for dessert.

Following the conclusion of the event at 22:00, Sokos Hotel Palace Bridge, which has served as SportAccord Convention’s official ‘after hours’ bar all week, will be open for more drinks and networking until 23:30 to wrap up a memorable week in Saint Petersburg.

TiMe FoR GoodBye

saint petersburg music and food will wow delegates

at the exhiBition: hRh crown prince Frederik of denmark visits sportaccord convention yesterday, while athletes take part in a demonstration of wheelchair basketball