Smart Cities & Sport Summit Returns to Lausanne -- On the Scene

(ATR) More than 200 delegates representing over 60 cities are gathering for the second edition of the Smart Cities & Sports Summit in the Olympic capital of Lausanne.

Organized by the World Union of Olympic Cities, the two-day conference and networking event is aimed at representatives of cities, regions and countries around the world interested in learning more about effective and smart strategies for connecting sport and cities.

"The program is focused around different themes, with the aim of offering new perspectives, both from a theoretical and practical point of view, for cities of all sizes and ambitions," said Mélanie Duparc, secretary general of the World Union of Olympic Cities.

Attending cities will have the opportunity to interact with various stakeholders in the international sports world including international federations and other event right holders.

Various noteworthy speakers, from not only the Olympic and sports world, but also academia and the public sector will present on various themes with the summit being held on the campus of Lausanne’s prestigious IMD Business School.

Former Vancouver 2010 CEO John Furlong will deliver the keynote speech on Wednesday entitled "Sport and the City."

In a special session concluding the two-day program, International Olympic Committee director general Christophe De Kepper will lead a presentation focused on Olympic Agenda 2020 and the IOC’s revamped Games bidding process. Jacqueline Barrett, associate director of Olympic Bids and Antoine Goetschy, YOG associate director, will contribute to the presentation.

"The IOC is obviously a valuable partner of the Smart Cities and Sport Summit and them hosting a special session is testament to that," Duparc said.

"This strategic roadmap for the future of the Olympic Movement will be presented and it will be explained how involvement of cities will be increased in the new process."

Duparc added: "With IOC officials present who are directly involved in the process, cities have the chance to ask them any questions they may have."

IOC Senior Olympic Games Advisor Gilbert Felli is among the presenters on Tuesday detailing a case study on the city of Rio de Janeiro as part of a session on sport facility management.

Considering that the city of Lausanne was recently awarded the 2020 Winter YOG, the Smart Cities and Sport Summit should take on additional meaning for the conference host.

Daniel Brélaz, the Mayor of Lausanne and World Union of Olympic Cities president spoke about the significance of hosting the summit and how the city might learn from previous Olympic hosts over the days ahead.

"Hosting the 2020 Winter Youth Olympic Games offers Lausanne a great opportunity to experiment and to put into practice the reflections on Olympic legacy." Brelaz said.

"We are only at the beginning of the organization process and we have much to learn during the next years. The 2015 summit is a step in that direction.

"We want to make the most of the experiences of other cities and show that it is possible, in Lausanne as in other cities to maximize the benefits of hosting events and using sport as a tool for urban development."

Representatives from the former Olympic host cities and 2024 candidates, Los Angeles, Paris and Rome will also be present at the summit.

The World Union of Olympic Cities is headquartered in Lausanne and is currently comprised of 35 member cities.

Written by Brian Pinelliin Lausanne

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