In 1950, 30 per cent of the world’s population lived in cities. Today, that number is 55 per cent, and according to the UN’s latest projections, by 2050 it will be 68 per cent, with 90 per cent of the urban population growth between now and then happening in Asia and Africa. The topography of where people live is changing dramatically and, along with that, sport is changing.
All eyes were on the future at the Olympism in Action Forum in Buenos Aires. Speakers discussed the future of sport itself, what the future fan might look like, and how the process of hosting the Olympic Games is evolving to become more flexible, cost-effective and focused on ensuring a sustainable legacy for the host city, region and nation.
No Boston Olympics co-chairman Chris Dempsey claimed he has not seen any evidence in the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Agenda 2020 and New Norm reforms which shows the organisation has changed.
“Mexico was really important in graphic terms” … “It was the first time there was a global impact with the look of the Games having a very colourful impression of Mexican culture in the design of the whole Games, and a very intensive culture. That’s why we decided to bring Mexico into focus.”
Diller Scofidio + Renfro has won an international competition for the design of a new V&A collection and research center to be located in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in East London.
For the first time in Olympic history, Olympians who are also artists have been invited to the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018 to be part of the Olympic Art Project, an initiative of the IOC. They were not in contention for a medal, but to bring the Olympic values to life through art and by coming together with athletes in the Olympic Village.
The Gangneung Curling Centre, which hosted the sport during the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea, will once again host an international curling event from November 3 to 10, nine months after the Winter Games.
“There is no doubting that we had a great Winter Olympic Games in PyeongChang and that all those in charge did their best. However, when it comes to the efforts concerning the track’s reuse, we are very disappointed”
The Youth Olympic Games enable cities to move from an event-led approach, where the event is used as an ‘imposed’ stimulus, to an event-themed approach, where the event is used as a uniting theme for development and regeneration.
Ian Logan (CEO of the Organising Committee of the Lausanne 2020 Winter Youth Olympic Games)
Source: Sportcal
Full article: Why host the Youth Olympic Games?
Tokyo 2020
Japanese fans certainly had reason to go wild on Tuesday night. Their side won their opening game, beating Colombia 2-1, and securing the team’s first victory against a South American side. But after the team swept Colombia off the pitch, Japanese fans also did their share of sweeping: meticulously cleaning up their rows and seats in the stadium.
Public trust in sports leaders is low across the world and the IOC need to focus on winning the hearts and minds of normal people rather than other administrators in suits.
“As we approach the 10th anniversary this September, Beijing 2022 is under no illusions that is has a fantastic and unique opportunity to build on the legacies of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games.”
Although making good progress, the IPC did highlight two key issues for Tokyo 2020 and its stakeholders to try and address – Paralympic budget and accessible hotel rooms.
All of the other venues from the Copper Box Arena, London Aquatics Centre and Lee Valley Velodrome to the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre are very well used locally and have exceeded expectations. With a regular pattern of national and international sporting events and a calendar that rolls on for years ahead, there will always be people coming for those – and the fact that they’re on the TV means there is a constant reminder.
However, no sooner had one problem been solved than another was created: how were drivers and cyclists supposed to find their way to the new car parks? A solution was found in the shape of small blue panels with a white capital “P” in the middle. So it was that the international traffic sign for parking was born.
Similarly to London 2012 and Rio 2016, there was a high concentration of venues within a very small radius. Given the drive for legacy and the use of existing facilities, could a major Olympic Park become a thing of the past?
All work is on time or even ahead of schedule. What I really like is the way the committee works to highlight the specific and strong assets of this region by directly involving them. If the objectives continue to be respected as they are, Lausanne 2020 will be a formidable tool for international promotion for Lausanne, the Canton of Vaud and Switzerland as a young, sporting country and leader in research and innovation.
Christophe Dubi (Executive Director of the Olympic Games at the International Olympic Committee)
Source: Lausanne 2020 Newsletter, May 2018
Full article: Lausanne 2020 Newsletter, May 2018
