SportAccord Puts Artistic Games Project on Hold

(ATR) Around the Rings has learned that SportAccord has shelved its World Artistic Games venture for now.

The umbrella organization for 109 Olympic and non-Olympic sports federations has scrapped the multisports project, one of the major initatives in president Marius Vizer’s multisports events portfolio.

As of last week, content about the World Artistic Games was removed from the SportAccord website.

SA director general Vlad Marinescu confirms the artistic games concept is on the shelf for now, with other projects taking priority.

"SportAccord is currently working on the Combat, Mind, Beach and Urban Games. Regarding the Artistic Games, it is the next project," he tells Around the Rings.

"When the international federations who would take part in this event confirm their support, interest and think such a multi-sport event is adding value, we will be ready to establish it," Marinescu said.

Initial plans for the World Artistic Games involved the participation of the International Gymnastics Federation and World Dancesport Federation, along with swimming, roller sports and cycling federations.

Seen by ATR, the web page formerly dedicated to the World Artistic Games said the event would "promote the values of imagination, inspiration and style."

"Fusing sporting performance with music and creative expression, the SportAccord World Artistic Games inspire the world - as athletes from around the world compete for a chance to be the best. Then join them on a journey of culture and imagination as they perform under the spotlight at the gala finale," the web page said.

Events for the five-day program included: artistic, rhythmic, trampoline, acrobatic and aerobic gymnastics; standard, Latin, freestyle, rock’n’roll and hip-hop dancesport; synchronised swimming and diving; figure roller skating, artistic cycling and aeromusicals.

The International Gymnastics Federation was unable to say if the games were going ahead but provided a statement to ATR. "SportAccord and FIG are in discussion concerning the possible creation of Artistic Games," said federation secretary general André Gueisbuhler.

The World Dancesport Federation and International Roller Sports Federation declined to comment, referring inquiries to SportAccord.

Vizer had told ATR in August that the current target of Sportaccord "is to develop the four multisport Games, the convention and consolidate the position of IFs and their development strategies."

After putting the artistic games on the back burner, SportAccord will now focus its energies on its global Mind Games, Combat Games and Beach Games, a joint venture with the Association of National Olympic Committees, which is due to be staged in 2017.

There is no word yet on a host city for the World Urban Games, which is set to involve more than 17 federations. Vizer told ATR in the summer that the event is still planned for 2016 after the Rio Olympics, with two European cities vying for hosting rights.

Vizer, who is also president of the International Judo Federation, remains hopeful of getting his ambitious United World Championships plan off the ground. But he is waiting to digest the outcomes from the IOC’s Olympic Agenda 2020 debate in Monaco in December before considering any next steps.

Vizer may offer updates on SportAccord projects Nov. 3 in Lausanne when he convenes the annual IF forum. Nearly all of the 100+ SportAccord member federations are expected for the three-day gathering, which this year focuses on technological advances for sport. Along with Vizer, IOC president Thomas Bach is scheduled to speak at the open of the forum.

Reported by Mark Bisson

20 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics is AroundTheRings.com, for subscribers only.