Mr. Eric Saintrond, FISU Secretary General / CEO
Date: October 22, 2018
Topic: The challenges of hosting sports events in major cities
Hosting sports events attracts notice of the world, invites the global spotlight, creates positive economic impact both directly and indirectly, with new job creation or the development of tourism industry, and provides an opportunity to further enhance infrastructures in cities.
In modern days, however, a large number of events, ethical problems in sports, and lack of planning for a post-sports event have emerged as major challenges and difficulties of hosting sports in major cities.
During the lecture, Mr. Eric Saintrond, FISU Secretary General / CEO insisted that the number of sport events has increased dramatically during the last decade, and this causes difficulties in scheduling and places a huge burden on both host cities and event organizers. “Consulting the international calendar before bidding and checking the schedule of the sport events as well as cultural events are necessary for finding suitable host city, region and country,” he said.
He also emphasized on importance of building a positive image for the event. He mentioned that for the sport event organizers, problems in current sport world such as doping, illegal betting & match fixing, corruption, violence, racism, and lack of interest from young generations for the traditional sports could negatively affect hosting sport mega events.
Mr. Saintrond further stated that he believes the sport event organizers have to prove that the sport event will generate media value, social and economic legacy and impact. “The event itself has no value. The legacy of the project and its local impact are the real value. Enormous and constant efforts will be required to maximize the value of investment and make sports mega-events more sustainable,” he added.
The lecture ended with a question and answer session, and Dream Together Master 5th and 6th batch students and Mr. Saintrond shared ideas about the strategic plan for hosting sports events.
Mr. Saintrond joined the administrative headquarters of the International University Sports Federation (FISU) in 1985. While continuing his activities in the private sector and education, he evolved within FISU and held the positions of the Director of the Games, General Director and finally Secretary General/CEO, the position he has been holding since 2007.
