(ATR) More than 1,000 delegates are expected in Barcelona this week for the third Global Sports Forum, this year posing the question what’s next for world sport?
"Very often we look at the present or the past, but this time it’s really about what’s next," Lucien Boyer, CEO of Havas Sports and Entertainment, organizer of the forum, tells Around the Rings.
For example, he expects the forum will engage executives from Facebook and YouTube with leaders of the 2014 and 2016 Olympics.
"If you look forward to Sochi, Rio de Janeiro, these digital media will be in a different position. They will become an important stakeholder of this new generation of Olympic Games," predicts Boyer.
Sochi 2014 CEO Dmitry Chernyshenko and Rio 2016 President Carlos Nuzman will each appear in separate presentations. And clearly in keeping with the "what’s next?" theme, Nuzman will be joined by International Rugby Board President Bernard Lapasset, whose sport joins the Olympics in 2016.
Other panels during the two-day forum include women and sport, TV vs. the web and digital media and athletes.
Among athletes who are appearing in Barcelona: Sergey Bubka, Hicham El Guerrouj, Mia Hamm, Pernilla Wiberg, DonnaDeVarona, Oscar Pistorius andJonah Lomu.
Making his debut as a GSF emcee and moderator is Alan Abrahamson of U.S.-based 3 Wire Sports.com.
Boyer says this third edition of the GSF will present fewer speakers than previous events, less than 40, compared to over 100 for the initial forum in 2009.
"This will allow us to be more focused, more interactive," he says.
Boyer says the emphasis of digital media asatopic of discussion during the panels will also be complimented by coverage from bloggers around the world. He says the forum will also be accessible via the web at www.globalsportsforum.org.
The GSF is supported by the city of Barcelona, but Boyer credits the patronage of the late Juan Antonio Samaranch for making the event a reality. Samaranch, who died last April in Barcelona, was involved in the planning for the 2009 and 2010 events.
"He was a great supporter, involved in the selection of speakers, attending the entire forum," says Boyer.
Boyer says this year the former IOC President will be recognized with his name on an award that the GSF will present on Thursday. Son Juan Antonio Samaranch, Jr. is to be on hand to make the presentation.
Written by Ed Hula.
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