Future Unclear for World Olympic Sport Convention

(ATR) The second World Olympic Sport Convention comes to a close in Moscow – it's unclear if and how a third will take place.

Originally a project of former ANOC president Mario Vazquez Rana, the convention brings together National Olympic Committees and sports ministers.

At the 2012 convention, around 75 percent of sports ministers attended.

But, NOC leaders confide to Around the Rings, relationships with sports ministers are often tense as the ministries are seen as adversaries attempting to exert control on NOCs. They also complain of receiving little value from the meeting.

Cost is another of the issues at more than $3.4 million, according to the latest ANOC figures.

Sheikh Ahmad al Fahad al Sabah, elected president of ANOC on April 13, announced a third World Olympic Sport Convention is not being organized in conjunction with the next ANOC General Assembly. The future may lie in a meeting under the auspices of the United Nations, he said.

By far the most popular topic of the April 16-17 meeting was high-performance sport. The number of questions prompted discussion to be tabled and carried over into the second day.

IOC member Barry Maister of New Zealand led the convention and exhorted NOCs and governments to work together following the meeting.

"This convention has emphasized the need for collaboration," he said.

"It is hoped you will return to your countries with newfound enthusiasm to work with your NOCs."

"Good Indication" of Ecuador Solution

Ecuador’s vice minister for sport explained the government’s stance about alleged interference with a new sports law. The General Assembly received a briefing on the development on April 13.

"I think that the government bodies share the principles set out in the Olympic Charter," Augusto Moránsaid.

"The sports law was not adopted yesterday but was adopted a long time ago and is in compliance with the constitution. It requires everybody to abide by the rules including the sports ministry.

"We feel it is unjust to deal with an issue unless you know the legal position of the government."

He called for a meeting "at the highest level" with the IOC and ANOC officials so long as the meeting takes place "in accordance with Olympic values."

This drew loud applause and smiles from Sheikh Ahmad.

"Now we close our conference with an indication of a solution," Ahmad said.

"This type of cooperation will solve the problem of Ecuador."

Kremlin Reception for ANOC

On Monday, ANOC delegates and sports ministers were feted by Russian president Dmitry Medvedev with a reception at the Kremlin.

Acoustics in the Saint George Hall were such that reporters found it difficult to understand what was being said, and recordings of speeches from Medvedev, Ahmad and IOC president Jacques Rogge were inaudible.

However, Medvedev was heard congratulating ANOC for a "successful" General Assembly and Ahmad for becoming ANOC chief. Rogge acknowledged Russia’s sporting prowess over the years.

Speaking to Around the Rings following his speech, Rogge said the changes at ANOC following the resignation of long-time leader Mario Vazquez Rana will not impact the Olympic Movement.

"They know sport very well," Rogge said of the new ANOC leadership from Sheikh Ahmad and Ireland’s Patrick Hickey.

"It’s going to be a good collaboration."He said Medvedev’s event is "a testament to the importance of sport in Russia."

Rogge said Moscow has the potential to bid for a future Summer Olympics.

"We know the quality of Russian sports, we know the quality of Russian sports leaders, they have a good economy, they have a good experience, whether or not that will materialize we will wait and see."

He acknowledged the city’s traffic, often choking streets, but said it does not necessarily handicap a potential Moscow bid.

"Tell me which capital in the world has no traffic," he said.

U.K. Sports Minister Hails Work of Government, Olympic Stakeholders

British sports minister Hugh Robertson tells the World Olympic Sport Convention that sport and government have worked effectively together to deliver the London Olympics.

Robertson spoke of the challenges of staging the Games, pointing to how the government and Olympic organizers have had to keep on justifying the $15 billion spend "in the teeth of a major global recession."

This strong partnership had helped in the conversion of a huge industrial wasteland in east London into the Olympic Park. It was the largest construction site in Europe at the peak of building work, he said.

"We are on time and just under budget, although much work remains to be done," he said.

He went on to talk about the five lessons for sport and government cooperation that have benefited the delivery of this summer's Games: establish cross-party support for preparations; set a robust budget with a healthy contingency; start early with an act in Parliament getting construction mechanisms underway within two weeks of winning hosting rights; recruit the best people to run the project in leaders like Sebastian Coe and LOCOG chief executive Paul Deighton; and make legacy a key part of Games planning from the outset to justify the investment.

"It has been incredibly important to explain to the country what it is getting out of the Games," he said, noting that the British government recently published a legacy document. "I hope in due course it will encourage other countries to bid.

"If we get this right, sport and government together, the legacy of London 2012 will carry on being delivered for many years after the organizing committee is wound up."

Strong Attendance Throughout

One noticeable change of the 2012 ANOC General Assembly from the 2010 edition was the continually high attendance during the four-and-a-half days of meetings.

The last day had the lowest attendance due to delegate departures, but overall about 80 to 90 percent of delegates were present. In 2010, attendance steadily and noticeably declined after the first day.

Patrick Hickey tells ATR he thinks the "new blood" at ANOC is the reason.

"When there’s work that needs to be done, they’ll all be in the room doing it," he said.

Perhaps another explanation – in 2010 the meeting took place at a tropical resort in Acapulco and pool-side chairs were filled with delegates lounging.

Moscow offered no such luxuries.

Reported by Ed Hula III and Mark Bisson

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