Stefan Lavén’s Post

Tomorrow is a public holiday in Melbourne. It’s a unique holiday as it’s for the Friday before the AFL - Australian Football League Grand Final, a popular local sport in Australia. Here are some interesting facts about sports in Australia, some specifically related to Melbourne (with some help from ChatGPT): 1. The Australian sports industry is valued at approximately $50 billion AUD. This includes professional sports, grassroots sports, sporting goods, and events. 2. The Friday before the AFL Grand Final is not the only public holiday for a sporting event. In November, there will be a holiday for the Melbourne Cup (horse racing). 3. Sports-related activities contribute around 2-3% of Australia’s GDP, highlighting their importance to the national economy. 4. Approximately 90% of Australian children aged 5 to 14 participate in some form of organized sport. Meanwhile, around 3.1 million adults are actively involved in organized sporting activities. 5. Companies spend over $1 billion AUD annually on sports sponsorships, demonstrating the commercial value of sports in marketing. 6. Besides the AFL Grand Final and Melbourne Cup, Melbourne regularly hosts major international sporting events such as the Australian Open (tennis) and the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix. Considering tomorrow’s public holiday, should I spend the long weekend exercising? 😅 #melbourne #australia #AFLGrandFinal #sportsindustry

Ese Ukpeseraye’s Olympic experience highlights the persistent failures of Nigeria’s Sports Ministry. From equipment delays to missed opportunities, Nigerian athletes are often left scrambling for the basics. This incident reflects broader systemic issues, including inadequate preparation, insufficient support, and lackluster infrastructure. For Nigerian athletes to truly excel on the global stage, the Sports Ministry must prioritize timely investments, modern facilities, and holistic support systems. Read below https://lnkd.in/d6ehKZZn

QSport is calling for the incoming State Government to ensure investment and support in sport reflects and reinforces the central role sport plays in the lives of Queenslanders and their communities while also effectively leveraging the commercial opportunities available in the build-up to Brisbane 2032. In consultation with SSOs, the Queensland Olympic Council (QOC) and other sporting bodies, QSport has prepared an Election Brief that identifies four priorities that the next State Government must work in partnership with sport to address; organisational capability, places and spaces for sport, sport workforce development and Brisbane 2032 Games readiness and legacy. Key challenges include: ➡️ Sports cannot secure Government investment in attracting and hosting international events in Queensland in the lead-up to 2032, squandering the economic benefits and opportunities to develop a local Games-ready workforce they would provide ➡️ Sports are being invited by international federations to host test events ahead of 2032, and international teams want to begin training in Queensland, but the required facilities are not available ➡️ More than 80% of state sporting organisations highlight building and retaining their volunteer workforce as a ‘critical’ or ‘major’ concern READ MORE ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/gQmp7Dwe

The Paris Olympics are estimated to cost over $9 billion to host, making them one of the most economically managed Summer Olympic Games in recent memory. One of the biggest investments associated with hosting the Olympics is infrastructure. This includes world-class sports facilities and essential infrastructure like housing and transportation, which significantly benefit the city. Hosting the Summer Games attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists, providing a substantial boost to the local economy. The International Olympic Committee requires cities to have at least 40,000 hotel rooms for spectators and an Olympic Village that can house 15,000 athletes and officials. These requirements ensure that the city is well-equipped to handle large events and can continue to benefit from these facilities long after the games. With careful planning and execution, hosting the Olympics can leave a positive legacy for the host city. For instance, improved transport networks, state-of-the-art sporting venues, and upgraded housing can continue to serve the local community and attract future events.

THE BRISBANE OLYMPICS? DO WE WANT THEM? Embarrassed to be from Brisbane! Brisbane residents, Queensland residents were shocked when it was announced we would bid for the Games in 2032, and even more amazed when our proposal won the rights to the games. Now a number of years later the proposals for these games have become a political football. The vision for a Gabba rebuild was costed and over budget, the AFL and Cricket baulked at the cost of a temporary relocation even though they would have gained a state of the art facility at the end of the games. I hate to inform other Australians but Queensland's tourism infrastructure is decrepit and unable to catre to increased numbers of foreign tourism, the industry has not fully recovered from the Covid 19 Pandemic, which wiped out the Tokyo Games. Paris is about to host their Olympics and had to clear the streets of the 500,000 former Syrian refugees and Asylum Seekers that defecate in the streets and make Paris an open sewer. The French are sure to put on a spectacle in the grand old city. Brisbane on the other hand has not solidified the venue for the main stadium and have gone quickly for the cut priced version, a temporary stadium. Meanwhile unions have been provided sweet heart deals on public infrastructure which are in my prediction going to increase the cost of any build by 50% and probably more. Can Queensland afford this? An incoming Liberal National government will have to decide whether a very poor vision of the Olympics venues is going to enhance or detract from Brisbane's lure as an international destination? With a schitsville temporary stadium? Speaking to Brisbane residents there is no real champion for the Olympics with the demise of former Premier Anastacia. Citizens of Brisbane and Queensland are skeptical. If you took a poll today, brisbane residents and Queensland residents more broadly want to can the Games. We do not want endless First Nation protests, venues being targeting by greedy unionists slowing progress and demanding a ransom. Any incoming Queensland government should have an open debate and clear the air, then have a plebiscite to determine if we shall properly fund the games, what will regional and northern Queensland get if they get no Games expenditure? then decide if we should cancel our involvement. Many former tourism attractions in Queensland are decrepit, operators are insolvent or struggling. Many damaged tourism hubs have not been rebuilt and frankly many tourism venues are decrepit, clubs and pubs are closing as it costs $12 for a beer. Without a champion and a world beating vision and commitment to put on the best Olympics, brisbane should bail! The Olympics is the political Kryptonite which no current political leader wants to touch! lets 'Ditch the Games!' Photo by Casey Briggs ABC Posted Sun 4 Mar 2018 at 8:42am Sunday 4 Mar 2018 at 8:42am

Our very first WTA 125 event (Part 2) Mega events around the world often begin in much smaller sizes and stature before becoming significant spectacles of today. The China Open in Beijing, for instance, started in 2004 as a Tier II event offering a total prize purse worth US$585,000. This year, apart from three injured competitors, 74 of the top 77-ranked WTA Tour players are expected in Beijing for this WTA 1000 event now offering in excess of US$8 million. The Hong Kong Government’s policy on sports development has three dimensions: promote sports in the community, support elite athletes, and develop Hong Kong into a centre for major international sports events. However, in order to raise the profile of Hong Kong and create a brand that is sustainable in the future, our capability to host mega events is reliant on the city’s sports infrastructure. Hence, there needs to be a commitment financially, also, to oversee the proper maintenance and upgrades of these facilities over time. Neither negligence nor dereliction is acceptable. Mega sports events is important to the development of tennis because they provide local elite athletes the opportunity to perform at the highest level in front of a home crowd. They can inspire increased participation in a sport and an incentive to strive to achieve even better results. Mega events also provide significant economic benefits since the mega event ecosystem comprises stakeholders from a wide range of fields, including both private and public sector entities which, to varying degrees, contribute to the economic impact of mega sports events in Hong Kong. Hosting mega events and boosting sports development can be key aspects of Hong Kong promoting itself as Asia’s World City as well. Sport is increasingly seen as a central strategy for cities to promote their image and global position, undertake regeneration, and tackle problems of social exclusion. Governments increasingly use sports events to influence city development in a more comprehensive way, combining economic, social, environmental and other concerns. This trend is likely to continue and the Hong Kong Tennis Series promises to bring more major tennis events to Hong Kong. Our national team players are very excited at the prospect competing against so many of the world's best athletes. Our players will be inspiring a new generation of tennis players here in Hong Kong. We should looking forward to week of fabulous tennis. #HKTennis #HongKongTennis #TennisThoughtLeadership #HKCTA #HKTennisCommunity

📢 "The Belgian EU presidency has opened a new avenue in European sports politics by recognizing the need to support self-organised sport." I am pleased to hear that the work initiated in the field of sport by Belgium during the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2024 resonates with new findings on Europeans' participation in sport and physical activity. During the Sport session of the EYCS Council (13-14 May 2024), in their Conclusions, EU Sports Ministers have clearly underlined the necessity to promote and support policies that foster the practice of self-organised sport as a means of encouraging lifelong physical activity and sport and promoting their benefits for well-being and for physical and mental health among the population. Read the political statement here ⏩ https://lnkd.in/eyk6EDUE #EU2024BE #EUSportPolicy Représentation Permanente de la Belgique auprès de l'Union européenne Délégation Générale Wallonie Bruxelles U.E. Pierre-Yves Jeholet Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles Sport Vlaanderen

South Africa's Absence from Water Polo Events: A Reflection on Global Representation and Administrative Failures With the commencement of the ladies' water polo event yesterday and the men's event today, a glaring omission has become apparent: South Africa, despite having automatic berths, is not represented. This absence raises significant questions about the integrity of global sporting events and the responsibilities of national sporting bodies. The Olympics, symbolized by the five rings representing the unity of continents, are meant to be a global celebration of athletic prowess and international cooperation. However, South Africa's non-participation casts a shadow over this ideal. The situation is particularly disheartening given the automatic berths awarded to South Africa, which were intended to ensure the nation's representation at this prestigious event. The root of South Africa's absence lies in a series of administrative failures and questionable practices by Swimming South Africa (SSA). Allegations have surfaced that SSA actively impeded and subverted the preparation of South African water polo players. These issues reportedly included inadequate support, a lack of resources, and a failure to address crucial preparations for the event. Such shenanigans and manipulations not only hindered the athletes' performance but also marred the integrity of the selection process. The result is a disheartening scenario where South African players, despite their talents and potential, are unable to compete on the global stage. The ramifications of this failure extend beyond just the missed opportunity for South African athletes. It challenges the credibility of the global sporting event's claim to represent the best of all nations. How can an event that boasts global inclusivity and competition truly claim to be representative if significant players are missing due to administrative failures? Considering these issues, it is crucial for international sporting bodies to scrutinize the practices of national federations more closely. Transparent and fair processes must be enforced to ensure that all athletes, regardless of their country's internal issues, have a fair chance to compete. The absence of South Africa from the water polo events is a stark reminder of the need for accountability within national sporting organizations. It underscores the importance of addressing administrative issues that can undermine the spirit of global sporting events and the dreams of athletes worldwide. As we reflect on these games, let us not only celebrate the achievements of those who are competing but also advocate for reforms that ensure such failures do not repeat in the future. For the Olympics and other global events to truly embody the spirit of unity and competition, every participant must have an equal opportunity to showcase their talents and contribute to the rich tapestry of international sport.

What does an Olympic sprinter eat before a race? Nothing, they fast! 🎽 🏅 Over the summer, Paris will be hosting the Olympic games of 2024, with athletes from all over the world representing their countries and competing for coveted medals in what promises to be, as always, a very memorable event.   💶 Paris will become only the second city to host the summer competition for a third time, a feat only managed previously by London. Held every four years, the Olympic games are one of the major sporting events worldwide, and have important implications for the economy. The 2024 Olympic games will generate between €6,7bn and €11,1bn of gains for the French economy according to calculations from the Center of Law and Sport Economics (CDES) of Limoges University, with most of the income coming from tourism.   👷♂️ Olympic games create value for the local economy through various channels such as creating additional jobs, opportunities for local suppliers, multiplier effects from tourism on many sectors in the economy, as well as domestic revenues from sponsors and ticketing. For instance, an estimated 181,000 jobs will be created in France thanks to this event. 🏟 But the games also come with investments, as the need to create the right conditions to host athletes and fans usually requires additional temporary or permanent infrastructures. The budget approved in 2022 by the Paris Olympic Committee amounted to c.€4,4bn, being 96 % funded by the private sector from the International Olympic committee (IOC), partner companies, licensing agreements as well as the Games ticket office.   🇳🇬 Nigeria will field 82 athletes for the event, representing their country across 11 different sports, with athletics representing the largest share of Nigerian Olympians for this year’s competition (32). Since their debut in the 1952 summer Olympic games, Nigerian athletes have been present at all but one edition of the event, and will looking to meet the high expectations starting next week in Paris. Best of luck for French and Nigerian athletes who will be representing both our countries in Paris! 🤝