European Olympic Committees suggests European Games to IOC
The President of European Olympic Committees, Patrick Hickey has suggested the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to start an event that would integrate all the sports of Olympic Games. Hickey has named this plan as the European Games.
Hickey, who is also a member of the IOC, has presented proposals for the European Games arguing that it would boost the level of sports in European countries. Hickey’s project is under practical examination and is expected to achieve the backing of IOC.
Hickey supported his argument saying that the project is approved by 47 out of 49 European Olympic Committees and has the huge interest of giant sponsors. He stressed his concern that the performance of European athletes is falling down at the world levels,
whereas they used to dominate all events.
"European results at Olympic Games are diminishing all the time. Whereas we used to win the most medals, we are now dropping out of that zone. We have a feeling that a European Games can be used to spark European supremacy again at the Olympic Games,” he
said.
Hickey stressed that the decision will be finalised by voting power of European committees in November and if the event will be a success, then it may replace the solo European Athletics Championships or European Swimming Championships. He also stressed
that it is highly probable that the European Nations conduct this event side by side to these European Championships.
With the continuity of Pan American Games, Pan Arab Games, All Africa games and the Asian Games in their respective continents, European Games will have a very strong possibility to incorporate after approval. European Games are expected to enhance the level
of Sports in European countries, so their athletes could repeat the history at World Championships and the Olympic Games.
In addition, he also focused towards some of the difficulties faced by the launch of these Games. Hickey said that the main issue is the arrangement of these Games, as the European calendar is already jam-packed with the sports event. Due to the crowded
schedule, Swimming and Athletics are already considering to induct their championships after a year. Furthermore, sponsors involved in sports would demand compensation for their misplaced revenue.
Nevertheless, Hickey is influenced that these games can bring more revenue as compared to other championships.
"Sport is existing to motivate people all the time, and if that gets lost because you don't have your own entity any more, your own image, your own competition, then that is an issue which has to be taken into consideration," he added.
Hickey claims that if he is successful in his plan, then these games will commence on September 2015 and the pioneer host will be London. These games will use the facilities provided to the Olympians in 2012 London Olympics, which will definitely be great
for those who could not make their way to London in 2012.
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