Abu Dhabi, Durban, and Sochi, along with unnamed cities in Brazil, are said to be competing to host 2015 SportAccord.
A news release from SportAccord says that the search for a 2015 host of the convention is now expanding to Brazil.
"Strong interest has also been shown from multiple cities in Brazil" in addition to the three previously disclosed contenders in the Mideast, Africa, and Europe, says the release.
Inspection visits are said to have been completed with Abu Dhabi, Durban, and Sochi. Negotiations are said to be underway now with Brazil.
SportAccord has at times been scheduled to take place in a city preparing for the Olympic Games, such as London in 2010 and Beijing in 2008. It is not known whether Rio de Janeiro is mounting a serious effort to lure the convention. Capital Brasilia had been mentioned previously as a possible bidder.
SportAccord president Marius Vizer has signaled his intent to make subsequent editions of the convention much bigger than the 1,500 delegates or so who usually attend. He wants to see attendance swell with more delegates from the sports business industry and national Olympic committees.
But the release from SportAccord also includes "reassurance" from Vizer "that the convention will remain true to its core: the meeting for the IFs by the IFs. In addition there will be value-added propositions to give access to businesses of benefit to the IFs."
SportAccord Convention managing director Nis Hatt, who has been involved with the inspection of possible hosts, says expansion of the event is one of the considerations being made.
"Our site visits are assessments which take into account the increased size of the convention as it moves forward," he’s quoted in the release.
"We are excited to be in the privileged position of having so many cities interested in hosting our event and are looking forward to making an announcement very soon about where the 2015 Convention will be held," says Hatt.
SportAccord 2014, the 12th edition, was held last month in Belek, Turkey. Traditionally, the host of the succeeding convention has been announced at the end of each SportAccord.
Written by Ed Hula
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