Sportconference 2005

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[b]The title European Capital of Sport[/b]
To award a European Capital of Sport title was the joint initiative of the national sports promotion organisations from two countries, namely Italy and Spain. The title was established in 1999 by the European Capital of Sport Association (ACES) which was founded for that purpose and its introduction was subsidised by the European Commission.

The title is an annual award made to a city that has achieved an outstanding record in the area of sport during the previous five years. In addition to the presence of modern sports facilities, the influence of sport on health and its benefits to social integration were points that played a significant role in the assessment. Once named European Capital of Sport a city must demonstrate its commitment to sport in the form of sports activities, sports events and associated activities (e.g. a specialised conference on sport or displays of appropriate flags throughout the city).

Cities are nominated for the title by the mayor of the city that is the current title holder. The nominated candidate cities cannot be from the same country as the nominating city. The candidature of a city for the title remains valid for three years. The committee that makes the decision about awarding the title is composed of a chairman, a secretary and vice-secretary appointed by ACES and representatives of the cities who have been awarded the title. The sponsors (MSP Europe, MSP Italy, MDP Spain, Sicily region / sport and tourism and MDP International) are also represented on the committee. The chairman presides over the committee. Rules and procedures are laid down in the rules for procedure.

[b]Obligations associated with the title[/b]
Responsibilities of the city to which the title is awarded include
- making sure that during the year that it is holder of the title the European Capital of Sport logo is displayed in all relevant promotional material for national and international sports events;
- seeing to it that European games are organised for young people and seniors (depending on availability of funding);
- making sure that two new cities of more than 500,000 inhabitants are nominated;
- providing a representative to serve on the committee that is in charge of evaluating the nominated candidate cities.

[b]The process leading to the selection of Rotterdam[/b]
Halfway through 2003 the city of Glasgow made an approach to Rotterdam via its councillor and chairman of the cultural and leisure services
committee, John Lynch.  His message was that along with Copenhagen, Glasgow considered Rotterdam as one of the two cities suitable for
nomination for the title of European Capital of Sport 2005. If Rotterdam agreed to being nominated, a delegation headed by John Lynch
himself would make a visit to Rotterdam. In August of that year the delegation visited the city. The visit was in the nature of an
assessment during which an initial evaluation was made of Rotterdam's policy with regard to sport and the way in which this policy is translated into practice. This was followed by a visit from a second delegation in October 2003. This time the delegation was made up of directors of the sports bodies from Glasgow and Madrid and was headed by the chairman of MDP Internacional, Mr. G. Lupatelli.

The arguments put forward by Sports and Recreation in support of the city's candidacy were incorporated into a Bid Book (Bid Book enclosed)  and contain an explanation of the Rotterdam City of Sport policy and examples of 'good practice' such as the Henegouwerplein district sports gathering place and the Skaterpark along the Westblaak.

[b]Election of Rotterdam and the awarding of the title[/b]
On 14 November 2003 the chairman of the evaluation committee, G. Lupatelli, informed the mayor Mr. Opstelten that Rotterdam had been selected as European Capital of Sport 2005. This placed Rotterdam in the company of the cities of Madrid (2001), Stockholm (2002), Glasgow (2003) and Lisbon, though through circumstances Alicante took its place halfway through the year (2004). During a Sports Gala that will be held in Palermo / Italy in June 2005, the title will be handed over to Rotterdam. The sports gala will be broadcast by RAI radio/television in Italy and by RAI International throughout the world. The award will then be 'carried' by a cavalcade of vintage cars to the winning city.

[b]How Rotterdam will do justice to the title[/b]
Rotterdam's holding of the title coincides with its celebration of the Year of Sport 2005. A wide range of activities and events will be organised throughout the year. In addition to 22 existing events 78 major new events will be taking place, such as the Baseball and Catamaran World Championships
All the city's suburbs will organise additional sports activities, artificial lawns will be created and gymnastics halls will be refurbished.
The city will be dressed in flags displaying the title European Capital of Sport. A significant European event will be the specialised Sports Conference which is being held in November.

[b]Copenhagen: European Capital of Sport 2006[/b]
Copenhagen has been selected as European Capital of Sport for 2006.

[b]Selection by Rotterdam of the cities for 2007[/b]
Rotterdam will subject two cities to an in-depth scrutiny of their potential as candidates for the title for 2007. The cities that will be visited in 2005 were selected after all the cities in Europe with a population of more than 500,000 had filled out a written questionnaire about their sports policy and visible results of their policy.

[b]Europe[/b]
The title European Capital of Sport, which is still in its pioneering stage, contributes to a unified Europe in the area of sport. The European cities that have been awarded the title European Capital of Sport on the basis of their sports policy serve as examples to others. At the same time they become part of a network which makes it possible for an exchange of knowledge to take place about the promotion of sport and of health through sport. Activities are developed that contribute to European way of thinking such as the European Sports Conference that will be held in Rotterdam in November 2005.

With the support of the European Commission the European Capitals of Sport initiative will continue to be developed to foster European thought. It will contribute to the further development of sport in Europe through
- the exchange of knowledge about successful sports policy and its practical application in cities;
- the joint development of programmes that promote a healthy life style and do so by placing a strong emphasis on movement and nutrition;
- the organisation of youth sports exchange activities;
- clearly and visibly promoting the title and in doing so promoting Europe in the larger European cities.