Our article “France Excludes Itself from the New Geostrategy of Sport” provided an opportunity to analyze this issue with key figures from the sports, economic, and political sectors. Here, we report their statements, which demonstrate the interest of these “opinion makers” in this topic and its factual implications.
Philippe Joffard, President of the MEDEF Sports Committee
“The Committee supports bids for hosting international sports events. In recent months, it has been involved in the Euro 2016 football bid by fostering links between public authorities and companies. This major event involves the renovation and construction of stadiums and a policy for large stadiums. It’s a large-scale project that goes far beyond the sports event taking place in 2016. Stadiums represent a hub of economic and social attraction. Many reflections, agreements, decisions, and financings will be carried out in the coming months and years. Businesses are key in this story! Our role is therefore to unite, raise awareness and mobilize the economic fabric. And of course, the MEDEF supports Annecy’s bid for the Olympic Games.”
Gilles Dufeigneux, Interministerial Delegate for Major Sports Events at the Ministry of Sports
“Firstly, we need to assist, through support from the concerned ministries, all bids and organizing committees for major sports events selected by the State. Then, define a strategy, a doctrine, and an organization to contribute to hosting major international sports events in France. However, today, we have no strategy. We must construct a clear and public strategy with sporting, economic, and social parameters and finally with territorial parameters. We must also align events with a territorial logic. It’s also the role of public authorities to provide visibility to advertisers through a strategy coordinated with actors and clearly displayed. In any case, the goal is to implement a system that allows us to maximize our chances of securing these major sports events.”
Philippe Augier, Mayor of Deauville and author of a report to the President on “Major Events”
“During this study, I interviewed 117 French and international personalities, conducted a comparative study on 25 countries, and concluded that France suffers from the absence of a global strategy for major events in sports, as well as cultural or economic events. Furthermore, when a goal is set, stakeholders aren’t united enough. What do I recommend to positively change this situation? I propose creating a flexible, light unit that brings together all public and private stakeholders concerned (the State, tourism companies, event organizers, local authorities, the sports movement…).
Its mission would be to define a strategy, imagine new events, attract or develop others, and also produce data to measure the economic and social impacts of major events. This structure, co-financed by its members, could take the form of a G.I.E. (economic interest grouping). France has real expertise. Our country invented the Olympics, World’s Fairs, the World Cup in football. It organizes the Tour de France, the largest sporting event in the world. It’s time to understand that major sports events are major strategic tools and fantastic levers for growth, economic development, and social cohesion.”
Denis Masseglia, President of CNOSF
“Today, the sports economy in France represents 35 billion euros per year, with sponsorship accounting for 1.5 billion euros. Among the top 100 companies, 95% are sponsors in sports, which is a significant commitment. We represent nearly 2% of GDP, and it can increase. We must associate the economic world with sports governance. And why not create a business club for each major event?”
Christophe Lefebvre, President of the UPE 06 Sports Commission
“We are also convinced that sport is a real lever for sustainable growth. Our UPE 06 Sports Commission, the first to be structured at the departmental level following the creation of the national MEDEF sports committee, aims to foster an innovative partnership, bringing together the three main stakeholders: the sports world, the economic world, and the political world around major sports events.”
Christian Estrosi, Deputy Mayor of Nice
Nice as a host for major events? Yes! A new sports dynamic has been initiated to make Nice an essential host for sports events. Examples of international events held or taking place in Nice include: IronMan, Europétanque and Masters of pétanque, Open Nice Côte d’Azur, Louis Vuitton Trophy, International Skating Cup, Paris-Nice, Alpes-Maritimes Marathon, Décanations… The city of Nice will host the World Skating Championships in 2012, the Games of La Francophonie in 2013, and the Euro in 2016.
All these events contribute to the city’s vibrancy, the development of sports practice, and the recognition of the city on the international sports scene. The ambition of the Mayor of Nice is to restore the rightful place of sports in his city. To this end, the city has been designated “European City of Sport 2011″ by the Association of European Capitals of Sport (ACES). Regarding the construction and renovation of facilities, the municipality is committed to major projects (Nice Stadium, Aquatic Center).”
