World Winter Masters Games, Slovenia – Bled 2010 REPORT

GENERAL OVERVIEW First World Winter Masters Games Host City: BLED 7 sports, 7 venues, 19 competitions, 42 countries, participants 6 competition days 750 staff involved

ADMINISTRATION Honorary board, president: minister for Education and Sport Organizing Committee of 16 members for each area (administration functions, each sport) More then 750 people working during the Games, including information center staff, technical staff, technical delegates, referees No volunteers Organization by SI SPORT ltd. – company for organization of big sport events in cooperation with Slovenian Olympic Committee and Municipality Bled

MARKETING - Communication Newsletters to target group of more then sportsmen cooperation with international federations such as FIS, IBU, FIFA, CARHA, IMC which sent further newsletters or distribute other information Webpage in 6 languages 3 press conferences Facebook group Facebook Webpage Newsletter

MARKETING - Promotion more then 15 events (Kaprun (AVT), Autrans (FRA), Piancavallo (ITA), Rhupolding (NEM), Sydney (AUS), South Korea, Pohorje, Kranjska Gora, Kobla, Planica, Ljubljana (SLO), Canada,…) distribute more then promotional leaflets (English, French, Italian, German, Slovenian language) Stars promoting the Games (Christian Mayer, Jure Kosir, Tadej Valjavec, Mattii Nykenen,...) Partnership with Special events by Goway for North America

MARKETING - Merchandise Selling only official products Shopping in all venues but on specific times T-shirts, shirts, caps, bags, pullovers,...

MARKETING - Sponsorship One general sponsor: ZAVAROVALNICA TRIGLAV (insurance company) Slovenian sponsors Municipalities Present at the venues, promotional stands and in bulleting for the participants

IT AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS Online registrations (specially developed system) specially developed system allowed online payment and confirmation allowed to register more then one competitor under one user Online reservation system for accommodation

SPORTS 7 sports and 7 venues 6 competition days Medal ceremonies after the end of last race / match Approximate number of participants: ALPINE SKIING: 1300 BIATHLON: 100 CROSS COUNTRY SKIING: 600 ICE HOCKEY: 400 FUTSAL: 300 NORDIC COMBINED: 60 SKI JUMPING 200

Alpine skiing Kranjska Gora Biathlon Pokljuka Ice Hockey Ski Jumping Kranj/Ziri Cross Country Pokljuka Skiing Football/Futsal Bled, Kranj Bled and surrounding Nordic Combined

REGISTRATIONS First Three deadlines (March 31, June 15, October 25) Due to many requests last date on December 25 Online registrations or by post Payments with credit card and bank transfer No need for confirmations from national federations

REGISTRATIONS 31 March 15 June 25 October Individual entry fee* 110 EUR 120 EUR 130 EUR Individual entry fee/only one event 50 EUR 55 EUR 60 EUR Individual entry fee/two events 90 EUR 95 EUR 100 EUR Ice Hockey (Team entry fee) 600 EUR 650 EUR 700 EUR Futsal (Team entry fee) 400 EUR 450 EUR 500 EUR ONLINE REGISTRATIONS Accreditation pick up at the Information Center Opened 3 days before start of competitions Each participant has received accreditation, information bulletin, bracelet 8 stands, no lines!!

TRANSPORTATION Organized by Organizing Committee Transportation office during the Games Some transportation orders before event started Special prices for participants Transportation from Airport to hotels Transportation among venues Set schedule Transporation on request Rent a cars

MEDICAL Medical team present at every venue Doctor, medical personnel, vehicle Additional medical staff at the ski jumping venue NO heavy injuries, NO transfers to hospitals

MEDIA COVERAGE Media coverage before and after the Games International press (Russia, Italy, Finland, Germany, Austria, Canada, FIS newsletter, Biathlon World, FOX sport,...) 4 press releases sent to international media Slovenian press: 3 press conferences more then 100 articles in main Slovenian newspapers websites TV coverage in prime time News Many journalists present at the Games Special interest on “stars” – Matti Nykenen, Jure Kosir

OPENING AND CLOSING CEREMONY Opening ceremony in Bled on first day of the Games more then 1000 sportsmen on Bled Olympic plaza presentation of the sports thru presentation of Slovenia speeches special transportation to and from opening ceremony after party Closing ceremony in Kranjska Gora part of the event Hit Universe of fun speeches and concert special transportation Gala dinners (for Alpine skiers, for Ski jumpers and one for all others)

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS POSITIVE Great spirit among participants Festival atmosphere in all venues Good presentation of Bled and Slovenia Good cooperation with technical delegates appointed from international associations Possitive feelings towards organization by competitors NEGATIVE Less participants then expected (bad economic situation) More effort had to be put in order to promote the first edition of the winter masters games and the whole concept of masters games.