(ATR) Lagardère Sports is to lead an international consortium of specialists to advise the Hungarian Olympic bid.
Through its specialist agency Event Knowledge Services (EKS), Lagardère Sports will work on developing and managing the bid strategy as well as technical aspects of Budapest’s Games plan.
Other services include preparation of the technical presentation for the IOC’s Evaluation Commission – due to visit the city next spring – marketing advice and assistance in delivering presentations to the IOC and key Games stakeholders.
The international consortium of advisors also includes PwC Hungary and London-based M, the marketing and communications company recruited earlier in March to aid Budapest’s 2024 ambitions.
Lagardère Sports chief operating officer Andrew Georgiou said the company was excited to use its experience of working in the Olympic Movement "to provide strategic guidance, event planning and operational support to Budapest 2024 over the next 18 months".
"With our integrated approach to Games delivery and our knowledge of the local market through our existing business activities in Hungary, I’m certain we can support Budapest as a strong candidate for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games," he said.
Commenting on the appointment, Budapest bid chairman Balazs Furjes said that Lagardère Sports "shares the Olympic spirit and with its global presence and strong expertise will help Budapest’s aspirations to present a strong Olympic bid, which is ideal for the Olympians and Paralympians of tomorrow.
"I believe together we can showcase how great Budapest and its people are," he said.
"We want to proudly demonstrate what our city and country have to offer to the international stage. Lagardère Sports will give us the ability to let the world know we are ready to welcome the world to Budapest."
Lagardère Sports is not yet listed on the IOC’s consultants register for the four 2024 bids. Los Angeles, Paris and Rome are also in the race which concludes with the host city vote at the IOC Session in September 2017.
A total of 50 consultants are so far registered with the IOC to work for the four Olympic bids.
Reported by Mark Bisson
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