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president raffaele chiulli outlines importance of gaisf and its role in multi-sport games at eoc seminar in vienna
GAISF President Raffaele Chiulli was one of a number of high-profile panellists present at the 40th European Olympic Committees (EOC) Seminar, which took place in Vienna on 18 -19 May.
Joining President Chiulli were a number of distinguished sports leaders, including ASOIF President Francesco Ricci Bitti, IOC Deputy Director General Pere Miró, IOC Director of the NOC Relations and Olympic Solidarity James Macleod and IOC Executive Board Member/ANOC Secretary General Gunilla Lindberg.
The panellists discussed a range of important subjects, from future models of sporting competition, the necessary actions for a gender balanced future, the future of commercialisation in sport and the growth of urban sports.
President Chiulli outlined the role of GAISF before focusing on its role as an organiser of multi-sport games, in full coordination with the IOC and other key stakeholders. President Chiulli talked about the importance of GAISF’s multi-sport events being affordable, accessible and sustainable (economically, socially and environmentally) for the host city, for the athletes and for the sport movement.
The inaugural edition of the World Urban Games will be held at Budapest, Hungary from 13-15 September 2019. President Chiulli discussed the aim of the World Urban Games; to inspire young people to play sport, demonstrating that sport can be played anywhere without expensive equipment, and that fans can get close to elite sport and try themselves.
President Chiulli also said that the Games would be a great opportunity to rejuvenate former industrial areas and will leave a lasting legacy to the city and local community.
The Kazakhstan capital of Nur-Sultan (formerly Astana) will host the re-launched World Combat Games in 2021. President Chiulli explained that Nur-Sultan was chosen to host the Games due to its modern facilities and the country’s passion for combat and martial arts sports. By hosting the Games, organisers aim to further develop those sports and inspire the next generation of athletes.
“Combat sports and martial arts are extremely popular throughout Kazakhstan and it is sure to be a wonderful celebration of sport,” he said. “Powered by GAISF, the World Combat Games will bring together the most exciting combat and martial arts sports athletes from all over the world.”
The GAISF President also mentioned that at this year’s Sport Festival, powered by GAISF and held in Gold Coast during SportAccord 2019, over 60 IFs took the opportunity to showcase their sport and create opportunities for local children to try a range of new activities.
“The Sports Festival was a wonderful opportunity for IFs to connect with the youth and local schools, creating an opportunity for young people to try out new sports and enjoy special demonstrations and interactive presentations. Throughout Australia, participation in sport begins at the early stage of education, at the grassroots level, and it is something we at GAISF support wholeheartedly.”
President Chiulli also said that it is very important to coordinate the overall sports calendar. In recent months, GAISF, IOC, ANOC and ASOIF have met to discuss a framework for collaboration.
“We are entering a new era for Sports,” President Chiulli concluded. “Five IFs from the Association of IOC Recognised International Sport Federations (ARISF) will be additional sports at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. As well as this, four GAISF members were selected as additional sports at the 2018 Buenos Aires Youth Olympic Games and four GAISF member disciplines were selected as additional sports at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, subject to final IOC approval.
“In this regard, it shows the key role GAISF is playing to support IFs in their bid for IOC recognition.”
Speakers at the EOC Seminar also included professors from some of the world’s top universities, giving examples of technology in tracking, testing and training, and outlining the connection between science and sports practice.
Interesting reports from the organisers of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 and Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 were also provided, while the IOC Coordination Commission Chair Pierre Olivier Beckers gave an update on preparations for the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
During the Seminar, there was also a stimulating discussion on Rule 40 of the Olympic Charter, led by IOC Legal Director Anne Van Ysendyck and Kevin Groome, Vice President Legal & Business Affairs, IOC TV & Marketing Services. The Piotr Nurowski Prize for Best European Young Winter Athlete was also awarded to the Russian figure skater Alexandra Trusova.