FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
13 February 2020 – 15:00 CET
LAUSANNE, Switzerland – SportAccord has confirmed that the SportAccord World Sport & Business
Summit 2020 will not take place in Beijing due to the Novel Coronavirus outbreak in China.
Raffaele Chiulli, President SportAccord, said: "In the past few weeks, we have been following the
development of the epidemic closely. The Chinese Government has taken effective efforts,
unprecedented measures and all possible resources to combat the epidemic. We do believe that the
Chinese Government and people in China have the capabilities to have the final win of the war against
the virus."
"SportAccord has developed a mutual and respectful working relationship with the Local Organizing
Committee, which has displayed outstanding professionalism at all times during the excellent
preparations for SportAccord 2020 in Beijing. We had no doubt that our hosts would deliver an
exceptional SportAccord and we are grateful to Beijing for the support and all the efforts it has made for
preparing SportAccord 2020."
"SportAccord 2020 brings nearly 2,000 delegates together worldwide. In addition to that, a significant
number of participating countries, organizations, companies and institutions to put on exhibitions
during the event. Considering the epidemic in China and around the world and taking into account the
various factors of such force majeure situation and through consultation with the SportAccord 2020
Local Organizing Committee, we have reached a difficult decision that SportAccord 2020 will not take
place in Beijing. We will continue to collaborate with Beijing and China to promote the healthy
development of the international sport community. We apologize for any inconvenience thus caused
for International Sports Federations, registered partners, exhibitors and delegates concerned."
SportAccord is now exploring contingency options for relocating the World Sport & Business Summit
2020 so that it can still take place from 19-24 April 2020.
Nis Hatt, Managing Director, SportAccord, said: "The Local Organizing Committee for SportAccord 2020
in Beijing has been a trusted partner during preparations for the event and has shown excellence
throughout the entire planning process."
Partners, exhibitors and delegates who had registered to attend the event in Beijing will be contacted
shortly with updates and further information regarding the next steps for SportAccord 2020.
Follow developments and updates via Twitter @sportaccord or keep up to date via LinkedIn and
Facebook. For media enquiries, email info@sportaccord.sport.
ENDS
SportAccord
SportAccord brings together international sports federations and organisations involved in the business
of sport. The annual World Sport & Business Summit is a six-day event attended by leaders of the global
sports community. It engages international sports federations, athletes, industry, rights holders,
organising committees, cities, government, agencies, media, technology, legal teams, medical
professionals, inventors, and subject matter experts – represented at the highest levels.
SportAccord is the only global sports business event attended by all the international sports federations
and their stakeholders, who host their Annual General Assemblies during SportAccord. These
stakeholders include: ASOIF (Association of Summer Olympic International Federations), AIOWF
(Association of International Olympic Winter Sports Federations), ARISF (Association of IOC Recognised
International Sports Federations), AIMS (Alliance of Independent Recognised Members of Sport), GAISF
(Global Association of International Sports Federations) and Associate Members. SportAccord receives
the full support of the International Olympic Committee.
25 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics is www.aroundtherings.com, for subscribers only
Últimas Noticias
Utah’s Olympic venues an integral part of the equation as Salt Lake City seeks a Winter Games encore
Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation chief of sport development Luke Bodensteiner says there is a “real urgency to make this happen in 2030”. He discusses the mission of the non-profit organization, the legacy from the 2002 Winter Games and future ambitions.
IOC president tells Olympic Movement “we will again have safe and secure Olympic Games” in Beijing
Thomas Bach, in an open letter on Friday, also thanked stakeholders for their “unprecedented” efforts to make Tokyo 2020 a success despite the pandemic.
Boxing’s place in the Olympics remains in peril as IOC still unhappy with the state of AIBA’s reform efforts
The IOC says issues concerning governance, finance, and refereeing and judging must be sorted out to its satisfaction. AIBA says it’s confident that will happen and the federation will be reinstated.
IOC president details Olympic community efforts to get Afghans out of danger after Taliban return to power
Thomas Bach says the Afghanistan NOC remains under IOC recognition, noting that the current leadership was democratically elected in 2019. But he says the IOC will be monitoring what happens in the future. The story had been revealed on August 31 in an article by Miguel Hernandez in Around the Rings
North Korea suspended by IOC for failing to participate in Tokyo though its athletes could still take part in Beijing 2022
Playbooks for Beijing 2022 will ”most likely” be released in October, according to IOC President Thomas Bach.
