President of the International Judo Federation and SportAccord, Marius Vizer has established himself in recent years as one of the most influential players in the sports movement. A voice much listened to, not only in world judo, but also by international sports federations. He answered questions from FrancsJeux.
FrancsJeux: How does the next edition of the SportAccord Convention look, in April 2015 in Sochi? What will be the issues?
Marius Vizer: The overall strategy for the SportAccord 2015 Convention will be based on a major development of the event, in its means, its content, its organization, in order to make it a true “World Sport and Business Summit”. A summit where representatives of International Federations, different sports organizations, international sports media, marketing companies, equipment manufacturers, the world of business, art, culture and science will meet. We want to create the perfect environment for all international sports communities to engage in the development of sport.
The successive withdrawals of several European cities in the race for the 2022 Winter Games have reflected a distrust in Western Europe about the idea of hosting the Olympics, at least the winter ones. Do you encounter the same difficulties in finding cities to host the SportAccord Convention?
It is not always easy to find the right organizer who brings together all the conditions to orchestrate sporting events. In the case of SportAccord, the situation is made complex by the rules of the IOC code of ethics. In fact, they do not authorize a city or country with a candidacy for the Games to organize, during the duration of the candidacy process, the slightest meeting which brings together a significant number of IOC members. I consider that Russia is currently the country that invests the most in sports development programs, not only at a national level, but also internationally. It contributes to its development through its investments and its organizations. I hope that in the future, once the geopolitical situation has calmed down, Europe will become, alongside Russia, a pillar for sport and education, assuming an important role in the organization and promotion of global sporting events.
What do you expect from the reforms planned by the IOC as part of Agenda 2020?
Personally, I expect several significant changes. Above all, rules, criteria, transparency and justice in all decisions. I also hope that the reforms will offer more opportunities for sports and athletes to obtain a similar number of medals in the same edition of the Olympic Games. I would also mention the simplification of the application procedure for cities in order to reduce costs and increase efficiency, IOC membership of all international federations and the right for them to take part in important votes which have an impact on the movement, decisions which must always have as priority the interests of sport, and not the interests of other structures or entities, an increase in the role of international federations. Finally, I expect Agenda 2020 to offer the SportAccord Convention independence in the choice of its host city.
Do you consider that the IOC sufficiently promotes the Olympic ideal in Europe?
More investment in the field of “Sport for all” activities would be an interesting way to communicate the importance of Olympic values. I consider that the approach and messages addressed to governments also need to be directed towards the population of a country, who are the direct beneficiaries of all cultural, sporting values and sporting heritage. The media in each country must be considered as main partners to involve and motivate all age categories and all social categories.
Several International Federations are concerned about the impact that a reform of the Olympic program could have on their discipline. How do you defend them?
I would like to draw a parallel from this situation with the governance of a State or with macroeconomic administration models. Reforms should always add value, not diminish value. In order to improve economic stability and strengthen the budgetary power of states, their leaders generally call for an increase in taxes, which leads to restrictions in the area of economic progress. In my view, a viable solution would aim to encourage investment and reforms to make the economy more flexible. The same principle should apply in sport. To enrich the Olympic program, variety and diversity should be added to existing sports in accordance with current trends and the demands of younger generations.
Many International Federations have to struggle to convince the media to cover their events. Do you think that the IOC Olympic channel project could be a good solution?
During the General Assembly on the occasion of SAC 2013, I presented for the first time the concept of an “Inside Media House”, which aims to serve International Federations within the framework of their media strategies and marketing. I am happy to learn that the IOC has shown receptivity and has the necessary resources to get the project off the ground. I believe this is an important platform for the entire sports community. I am confident that the content and strategy we are considering will serve the demands and promotion of all International Federations. SportAccord has also signed an important partnership agreement with Euronews, for the distribution of a weekly magazine dedicated to all SportAccord members, from the start of next year. It will offer all International Sports Federations the opportunity to present their main events and at the same time promote SportAccord and the values of sport to Euronews' audience, estimated at 1,5 billion people.
Where are you with your plans to create thematic sporting events, such as Beach Games or Urban Games?
They represent a priority of our organization. We want to develop four: World Combat Games, World Mind Games, World Urban Games and finally World Beach Games. For the latter, we are currently in the final phase of the project, in partnership with ANOC. We plan to develop and implement these concepts, in accordance with the requests of the International Federations and the possibilities of certain geographical areas. In my eyes, France meets all the conditions to organize one or other of these multisport Games, with minimum costs but maximum impact on society and a strong message for the international community.
