Strong support from international sport federations keen to explore opportunities in the Americas have signed up for the inaugural Regional SportAccord Pan America 2019 from 10-12 December in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA.

International sport federations from the Summer and Winter Olympic Games, as well as ambitious international sport federations that are seeking Olympic recognition, will converge on the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center to connect with cities and regions, sports commissions, sports ministries, rights-holders, commercial entities and agencies.

Among the high-profile Olympic international sport federations to have confirmed their attendance are the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation (IBSF), International Curling Federation (WCF), International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), International Judo Federation (IJF), International Ski Federation (FIS), International Tennis Federation (ITF), International Weightlifting Federation (IWF), World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) and World Rugby.

Numerous members and representatives of ASOIF (Association of Summer Olympic International Federations) will be present, as well as AIOWF (Association of International Olympic Winter Sports Federations), ARISF (Association of IOC Recognised International Sports Federations), AIMS (Alliance of Independent Recognised Members of Sport), GAISF (Global Association of International Sports Federations) and Associate Members.

Raffaele Chiulli, President, ARISF, GAISF and SportAccord, said: “For any proactive sports commissions, cities, regions and national organisations in North, South and Central America that have ambitions of hosting international events and developing their sport at an international scale. It is clear that Regional SportAccord will be a must-attend event, as there is simply no other gathering that will bring together so many stakeholders of the international sporting community with representatives of the business of sport in the Americas.”

Attendees will also include the international sport federations of Aikido (IAF), Amateur Sports (CSIT), American Football (IFAF), Armwrestling (WAF), Association (WAKO), Basque Pelota (FIPV), Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB), Boules (CMSB), Bowling (World Bowling), Bridge (WBF), Cheer (ICU), Chess (FIDE), Cricket (ICC), Dodgeball (WDA), Dragon Boat (IDBF), Fistball (IFA), Floorball (IFF), Flying Disc (WFDF), Footgolf (FIFG), Ju-Jitsu (JJIF), Kettlebell Lifting (IUKL), Lacrosse (World Lacrosse), Life Saving (ILS), Masters Games (IMGA), Match Poker (IFMP), Military Sports (CISM), Minigolf (WMF), Muaythai (IFMA), Netball (INF), Orienteering (IOF), Powerboating (UIM), Racquetball (IRF), Sambo (FIAS), Sleddog (IFSS), Sport Chiropractic (FICS), Sport Climbing (IFSC), Sport Fishing (CIPS), Squash (WSF), Table Soccer (ITSF), Waterski & Wakeboard (IWWF) and World Olympians (WOA) with more to follow.

Jim Scherr, Chief Executive, World Lacrosse, added: “Lacrosse already has a firm foothold in the Americas, but we are always keen to investigate new openings for expansion in this exciting region, which is home to one billion-plus inhabitants, and we are looking forward to connecting with like-minded organisations in Florida.

“The fact that so many stakeholders of the international sporting community have committed to this ground-breaking event with three months still to go underlines the significant interest from international sports federations and sports organisations in exploring this gateway to the Americas.”

Numerous executives and officials from international sports federations will also participate in the event’s conference programme, with esports, governance and rebranding strategies, protecting athletes and social responsibility among the key topics under a theme of ‘A United Approach to the International Sport Landscape in the Americas’.

Click here to register for the event, hosted by SportAccord in partnership with Greater Fort Lauderdale, Florida Sports Foundation, International Sports & Health Associates and MGO. For information about becoming an Exhibitor or Partner, request a brochure or contact the sales team via info@regionalsportaccord.sport or +1 954 204 3081.

Follow Regional SportAccord via Twitter @sportaccord using #RSA2019, or keep up-to-date via LinkedIn and Facebook, YouTube and Flickr.

UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin has announced a major investment in tackling climate change issues around the UEFA EURO 2020 tournament.

UEFA will plant 50,000 trees in each of the 12 host countries of the EURO to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the European Championships and to leave a lasting legacy from the competition.

In addition, UEFA will invest in gold standard renewable energy projects in partnership with the South Pole to offset the estimated 405,000 tonnes of carbon produced by fans and UEFA staff travelling to games in the tournament.

Announcing the plan on Tuesday in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Čeferin said: “UEFA EURO 2020 is a celebration of European football that will happen right across the continent. The nature of the tournament means there are many benefits over a traditional one. In addition to being able to take the matches to more diverse communities across Europe, there is no need either to build a host of new stadia or the transport links that they need, which carry a huge environmental cost in concrete and other resources.

“But it also has a cost – with increased travel for fans to watch their teams play. UEFA takes its responsibilities on this seriously and it is right that we offset the carbon emissions that causes. Working with South Pole will help to build gold standard renewable energy projects, which will be of lasting value to the planet.

“In addition, we wanted to celebrate the 60 years of the European Championships and combining that with an environmental legacy is a logical choice. Some 600,000 trees will be planted – 50,000 in each of the 12 host countries. I believe this will help all those communities benefit from EURO 2020 having been played there.”

UEFA is a signatory to the Sports for Climate Action Initiative.

Vietnam Grand Prix organizers are confident their race will join Singapore in lighting up the Formula One calendar for years to come, rather than adding to the list of Asian shooting stars, after it debuts in 2020.

As the sport said farewell to Singapore for another year on Sunday, it looked forward already to a return to the region in April for the inaugural Vietnamese round in Hanoi.

Reuters reports:

“Vietnam is the right country at the right time in the right place,” Vietnam Grand Prix Chief Executive Le Ngoc Chi said in an interview.

“It’s just the perfect time to join Formula One with our robust economics, with our traditions, with our culture, with our people, with our food, so everything is just right.”

Vietnam’s fast-growing and youthful economy is attractive for sponsors as well as commercial rights holders Liberty Media, who have spoken about adding ‘destination cities’ to the calendar.

Singapore, whose night race is now one of the most glittering events of the season, was the only round in South East Asia in 2019, with Malaysia joining a list of races to fall by the wayside after saying goodbye two years ago.

India (2011-13) and South Korea (2010-13) have come and gone, while plans for a floodlit race in the Thai capital Bangkok never got off the ground. Chi said Vietnam would be more resilient.

“We are not the shooting star,” she declared. “We don’t just come on the scene to stay for one year. In order for a grand prix to be successful, you have to be sustainable.

“How do you stay in the business? That’s what we can learn from the unsuccessful ones.”

Chi said the key lay in creating a satisfying experience for fans and in the longer term growing motorsport’s popularity among a local population more focused on soccer.

“It’s just a sense of pride, it’s a sense of responsibility,” she said. “We have to deliver this event successfully.”

Formula One considered racing in Vietnam when Bernie Ecclestone was the sport’s commercial boss but the Briton ruled it out, despite significant sums on offer, because he felt the region had enough races already with Singapore and Malaysia.

Ecclestone was ousted in 2017 and a deal with Vietnam’s largest conglomerate Vingroup JSC was signed last year.

“It’s obvious that tourism will benefit,” Chi said of the race. “But there are other things that we think it will bring, such as investment, promotion, technology, opportunities for businesses in Vietnam to connect with businesses in the world.

“Besides all that, we also want to showcase to the world that Vietnam and Hanoi can actually organize a world-class event.

“We want to showcase to the world that we are not just a country that got out of war anymore. We are developing, we are moving forward very quickly, we are the new dragon of Asia.”

Formula One has long expanded from its European origins, with now-departed Malaysia added in 1999 as a second race in Asia after Japan.

China joined the list in 2004, Singapore in 2008 and there are now also two races in the Middle East.

The IAAF said Monday it would maintain a ban on the Russian athletics federation pending analysis of data from the Russian anti-doping laboratory covering the 2011-2015 period when state-sponsored doping was prevalent.

Agence France-Presse reports:

“The council endorsed the strongest recommendation we’ve probably had from the taskforce that Russia remains suspended,” International Association of Athletics Federations President Sebastian Coe said following a meeting of the body’s council in Doha ahead of the World Championships.

Though the Russian federation remains banned, athletes from Russia have been competing for years as neutrals with 118 due to participate in the World Athletics Championships which get underway in Doha Friday.

Russia was barred from international competition in 2015 over a vast state-run doping conspiracy.

The IAAF announcement came as the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Monday gave Russia three weeks to explain “inconsistencies” in a cache of laboratory data handed over to investigators.

Russia stands to be declared non-compliant by WADA if it fails to explain why evidence of some positive tests handed over by a whistle-blower doesn’t show up in data provided by Moscow’s anti-doping laboratory in January.

That would raise the possibility of a fresh ban on the country in the build-up to the Tokyo Olympics.

Boston, Massachusetts, will host the Laver Cup tennis event at the TD Garden from September 25-27, 2020.

It will be the fourth edition of the Laver Cup, in which the best players from Europe and around the world fight for victory over the three-day team competition.

“Boston is the perfect setting for the Laver Cup,” said Tony Godsick, CEO of TEAM8 and Chairman of the Laver Cup. “The city has a deep sporting culture, but it is also steeped in profound historical events, all of which resonate with the values of the Laver Cup and its tribute to the rich heritage of tennis.”

“The Laver Cup is like nothing else in world tennis. Over one amazing weekend we bring together the greatest current players as teammates, as well as great legends and rivals from previous generations.”

Home of the Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins, TD Garden is New England’s largest sports and entertainment arena and hosts more than 3.5 million people a year at its world-renowned concerts and sporting events.

The state-of-the art venue features a 19,600-seat arena, multi-million-dollar high definition video scoreboard, redesigned concourses and 360-degree LED technology.

“TD Garden is a haven for sports fans,” said Laver Cup CEO, Steve Zacks.

“The arena is close to completing a more than $100 million expansion plan and nothing is being spared to create the ultimate fan experience. We can’t wait to bring the Laver Cup to this spectacular venue.”

Team World captain John McEnroe, who together with Team Europe captain Bjorn Borg will continue in their roles for 2020, said he was excited the host city was sports-loving Boston, just 216 miles north of his home base in New York on the US East Coast.

“This is a phenomenal sports town and I expect fans will raise the roof for the home side,” McEnroe said.

“Laver Cup 2018 was unbelievably close thanks to the enthusiasm of home crowds. Boston is sure to continue that tradition at TD Garden, one of the best venues in the world.”

Since its debut at Prague in 2017, the Laver Cup has been staged at Chicago in 2018 and Geneva, Switzerland in 2019, with the host city alternating between Europe and the rest of the world.

Boston Mayor Martin J Walsh said he was thrilled the Laver Cup would touch down in 2020.

“I’m extremely excited and proud to announce that the City of Boston will host the next Laver Cup at the TD Garden in 2020, it’s a great honour for our city.

“We are already preparing for this highly acclaimed event and can’t wait to welcome the Laver Cup to the city of champions.”

World Anti-Doping Agency President Sir Craig Reedie said today that the discovery of inconsistencies in the historical data handed over by the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) was a disappointment, but not an embarrassment for his agency.

Reuters reports:

WADA said on Monday it had opened compliance proceedings against RUSADA after examining the 24 terabytes of historical testing data from a Moscow laboratory which it received in January.

“I think it’s disappointing but I don’t think it’s an embarrassment because the whole point of the exercise was to get access to the information so we could then put together cases that international federations could prosecute against athletes that have been cheating,” said Sir Craig.

He told the news agency: “We’ve done that, we have 47 cases underway at the moment and potentially an awful lot more. We’ve now found some inconsistencies, we’re going to deal with it, we’re going to deal with it properly.”

RUSADA has three weeks to answer 30 questions relating to the data and Alexander Ivlev, Chairman of RUSADA’s Supervisory Board, told Interfax news agency that it would.

Sir Craig, one of the first members of the iSportconnect community and the first ever guest speaker at an iSportconnect event, said WADA were taking great care to go through the process properly and that the new compliance proceedings were about discovering the reason behind the inconsistencies.

“We don’t know yet whether it’s tampering or manipulation or whatever else it might be,” he added.

“Since the rules state that if we assert non-compliance and the Russians don’t accept it, it will be decided by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), so you have to be very careful, you have to know exactly what happened and that’s the process we’re involved in.”

WADA came in for a lot of criticism when RUSADA was made compliant last September despite not having completed the roadmap laid out for reinstatement in the wake of the huge doping scandal that had rocked Russian sport.

Sir Craig still thinks it was the right decision.

“The alternative to not attempting to break the impasse was not acceptable, we had to do something,” he said.

“I think that was the correct decision because for us to prosecute cases, we need clear and detailed information.”

The first of the 47 cases are already being prosecuted and Sir Craig was not concerned that the inconsistencies in the tainted data might prove grounds for appeals from the athletes affected.

“We believe that the evidence packages which we’ve put together for the various international federations will stand up to any form of scrutiny,” he said.

Russia was excluded from the last Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang because of the doping issue and the removal of compliance from RUSADA could threaten the nation’s place at the 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo.

Sir Craig said any further action from WADA would depend on the answers provided by RUSADA but if the compliance issue did end up back at CAS, he thought the process could be completed in time to avoid tarnishing next year’s Olympics.

“If we get to that stage, I hope that this process will be completed as quickly as possible so it doesn’t affect what I think will be a supreme Games in Tokyo next August.”

 

French production technology company VOGO is aiming to complete acquisition of Vokkero, a mobile audio company whose activities have included equipping referees at the last for FIFA World Cups.

Montpellier-based VOGO, which focuses on in-venue fan engagement, has made a firm offer which received a favourable opinion from the board of ADEUNIS, the parent group of Vokkero, which has granted VOGO exclusivity until 31 October 2019. The parties are aiming to complete the transaction in October 2019.

VOGO, which is listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange, has just reported revenue from activities came to €735,000 in the first half of 2019, an increase of 157% relative to the first half of 2018.

This strong growth was driven by the surge in number of events covered to a total of 422 in the first half, compared with 269 for the year-earlier period. VOGO derives more than 20% of its revenue from international operations.

Founded in 2013, VOGO develops, markets and distributes a solution for broadcasting live audiovisual content based on streamed video processing technology protected by four patents.

As expected, the ramp-up in growth was underpinned by the increase in billings in respect of championships (€405,000, up 216%), positions taken on new major events (€217,000, up 156%), and the increase in contributions from indirect distribution networks (€82,000, up 69%).

Vokkero derives more than 70% of its revenue from sports. Its ‘Squadra’ solution was notably selected to equip referees during the last four World Cup football championships, as well as by a host of professional sports leagues worldwide.

Vokkero generated revenue of €5.8 million for the financial year ending 31 March 2019, an increase of 23% year-on-year. It currently employs 25 people in France (Crolles) and the U.S. (New York).

The first round of Europa League games drew good-sized audiences around Europe last night.

In Holland, Feyenoord’s 1-0 away loss to Glasgow Rangers on RTL7 had the biggest audience of the day (other than news), with 1.215 million viewers and a share of 25.4%.

In Italy, Roma’s 4-0 win over Turkey’s Başakşehir was a big winner for second-tier network TV8, which attracted 1.459 million viewers and a share of 6.2% to crack the top five of the day.

In Germany, the second half of Borussia Moënchengladbach’s 4-0 loss at home to Austria’s Wolfsberg pulled an impressive 1.62 million viewers with 7.3% share on Nitro.

In Spain, Espanyol’s 1-1 home draw with Ferencváros of Hungary had 468,000 viewers on Gol TV and 3.2% share, third biggest audience of the day on digital terrestrial TV.