May 22, 2013 (Saint Petersburg, Russia) – Under the theme “The State of Our Industry – Examining the Health of Sport”, this year’s SportAccord Convention will get underway on May 26 in Saint Petersburg (RUS). In the gathering of leading representatives from the sport industry, FIS will be represented by President Gian Franco Kasper, Secretary General Sarah Lewis and Marketing Manager Marcel Looze.

In two days of debate and discussion, industry leaders will take the pulse of sport as it continues to grow rapidly as a business and a force in society. In addition to the conference sessions and various gatherings of International Sports Federations, the convention hosts the SportAccord Presidential Election. On 31st May, the General Assembly will appoint a new President to replace Hein Verbruggen of the Netherlands who has led SportAccord since 2004.

Another highlight will be the launch of the medals for the 2014 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. They will be presented on 30th May during a special ceremony conducted by Sochi 2014 CEO Dmitry Chernyshenko, who will also be a featured speaker during the conference sessions.

Designed by Russian jewellery manufacturer Adamas, the “Sochi medals will have a unique design, different from all previous editions of the Olympic Games, underlining the originality and distinctiveness of Russia,” Sochi 2014 announced in a statement.
Originally launched in 2003, the annual Sport Accord Convention has been held in a different country each year and encompasses the Congress and General Assemblies of over 100 International Sports Federations and their related Associations. The six-day gathering offers more than 1’500 representatives from international sport an opportunity to network, share knowledge and develop ideas on broadening sport’s collective endeavours.

To learn more about the convention, click here.