Bidding for Olympics Impacts Sports Cities Rankings, Lausanne Official Says

(ATR)Lausanne has placed fifth overall in this year's Ranking of Sports Cities.

Patrice Iseli, head of sport for the city of Lausanne, told Around the Rings in a statement, "Lausanne is not just the administrative center of sport but also a city where sport comes alive."

The 2014 Ranking of Sports Cities, presented byATRand in collaboration with TSE Consulting, ranks the top 50 sports cities from around the world on how much the public associates the city with sport.

Results are based on a public online vote coupled with an industry vote from sports experts.

Last year, Lausanne placed 36th overall.

"Lausanne and the surrounding State of Vaud have, over many years, worked to develop and promote the Olympic Capital brand, which provides a natural link to sport in our city," Iseli explained to ATR. "With the additional focus this year on our bid for the 2020 Youth Olympic Games, I think it is natural that the perception of Lausanne as a sports city has risen even more."

Iseli added, "It is interesting to note that hosting an event, winning a bid, or simply being a candidate for a major event bid all seem to have an impact on a city’s perception."

Several cities with aspirations to host either the 2022 or 2024 Olympics made this year's ranking including Baku (44), Beijing (9), Boston (20), Copenhagen (28), Doha (13), Istanbul (30), Johannesburg (22), Los Angeles (8), Melbourne (6), Paris (21), Rome (33), and Washington (42).

London, for the third consecutive year, placed first followed by Sydney and Rio de Janeiro.

"It is not surprising to see these three cities at the top," Iseli told ATR. "It suggests that the hosting of the Olympic Games has a strong impact on the ranking with London being the latest host and Rio the next.

"I applaud Sydney especially because they are showing that they can sustain their position as a sports city despite the years that have now passed since they hosted the Games."

New additions to the top ten cities, besides Lausanne, include Glasgow and Los Angeles. Tokyo jumped from its 2013 ranking of eighth to fourth overall.

"Movements up and down the ranking make sense," Iseli said. "For example, Tokyo's rise following their appointment as host for the 2020 Olympics and Glasgow’s rise following their very successful Commonwealth Games this year."

When asked what he thinks earns a city a spot in the rankings, Iseli told ATR communication is key.

"This is a poll based on perception. Local engagement has an influence, of course, as it is a vote that is open not only to industry insiders but also the general public."

Iseli added, "There are so many cities around the world that are investing in sport. If you narrow it down to just 50, there will always have to be some that are left out.

"Lausanne is honored to be included in the list, but at the same time, have no doubt that we belong on it."

Written byNicole Bennett

Homepage photo: Getty Images

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