(ATR) The annual City Events Conference set for Paris this week has been canceled at the request of the French Ministry of Sport in the aftermath of the terror attacks Nov. 13.
Conference spokesman Pierre Emmanuel Danger tells Around the Rings the move was made "to respect the national mourning period and to ensure the security of our participants."
"Between 300 and 400 participants were expected, from the five continents (almost 30 nationalities), he tells ATR by email.
"We were really excited by an unprecedented program and very high level speakers. Fortunately all the speakers confirmed their participation to the 2016 edition, that should take place 21-22 June 2016," reports Danger.
The conference was set for November 17 and 18. Organized since 2010 by GL Events, the conference is billed as "the annual conference for the organizers of the sporting events of tomorrow".
French NOC president Denis Masseglia was scheduled to be a speaker on the impact of Olympic Agenda 2020 on cities bidding for the Games.
The aftermath of the Paris terrorist attacks will apparently not affect this week’s briefing between the IOC and the five cities bidding for the 2024 Summer Games, even with Paris as one of the candidates.
Beginning with Budapest on November 16, each of the five will have a day in Lausanne to consult with IOC staff and experts. Hamburg follows on the 17th, Rome is next on Wednesday with Paris scheduled for November 18. Los Angeles will be last on Friday.
Masseglia and his colleagues from the Paris bid will travel on from Lausanne to Prague for the annual general assembly of the European Olympic Committees November 20 and 21. EOC President Patrick Hickey tells Around the Rings that he will "deliver a special message" at the open of the meeting. He says he’s already communicated the condolences of the EOC to the French NOC, IOC members and the Paris bid.
The EOC website www.eurolympic.org also contains a statement.
"The European Olympic family is united in grief and shock at the tragic attacks in Paris on Friday night.
"Our deepest condolences go out to the families and friends of those who have been killed or injured.
"Whilst now is a time for mourning and solidarity, a time for healing will come. And the city of Paris and the CNOSF can count on the full support of the EOC as a friend and partner in their recovery."
Condolences have been expressed already by IOC President Thomas Bach and other leaders in the Olympic Movement.
Joël Bouzou, president and founder of Peace and Sport, the Monaco-based NGO which holds its annual meeting in two weeks, says a walk for peace is now planned for as part of the event.
"A Peace Walk, organized during the 8th Peace and Sport International Forum and led by H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, will bring together various political leaders and champions from around the world on 25 November. We invite all those who wish to act by our side to join us, and to consider the untapped potential of a collective investment in building peace through sport, today," says Bouzou in a statement.
Written by Ed Hula.
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