Lausanne, 21st November 2009 - The summit meeting of the World Union of Olympic Cities (WUOC) closed in Lausanne on 21st November 2009. The 18 Olympic member cities confirmed their keen interest in this association with the decision to step up activities by holding two summits a year in the years when there are no Olympic Games, and to alternate venues with other cities. The next summit is to be held in Beijing in 2010.

The 2nd WUOC Summit, held at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, brought together almost 120 delegates representing about thirty Olympic cities. These cities, including Athens, Atlanta, Vancouver, Rio de Janeiro and London, were able to exchange experiences regarding both the process of bidding to host and the hosting of Olympic Games, as well as the legacy of Olympic Games and how to keep that legacy alive. Discussions centred on the different concerns these cities have relating to sport, economics, social policy, urban planning, transport and brand image. Sustainable, long-term urban development, which has now become a key aspect for any city bidding to host the Olympic Games, was also discussed at length.

After the first, founding summit in 2008, this second meeting marked the real start of the WUOC’s work. At the General Assembly, member cities decided to step up activities by meeting more often, that is twice a year those years when there are no Olympic Games and once a year the other years, and to alternate the venue with other member cities. Thus, the next summit meetings will be held in Beijing in the autumn of 2010, then again in Lausanne in the spring of 2011, and in Athens in the autumn of 2011.

Over the coming months, the WUOC also intends to broaden its programme by placing at members’ disposal specific competencies in the field of sustainable development, strengthening links with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) (particularly in matters of knowledge-sharing relating both to the process of bidding to host and the hosting of Olympic Games) as well as organising specific forums based on themes or regions to follow up any projects members may come up with.

Daniel Brélaz, the mayor of Lausanne and WUOC president, stated that the City of Lausanne, the seat of the WUOC, attaches particular importance to this association which helps to enhance Lausanne’s image as the Olympic capital and gives it the opportunity to play a major role in promoting knowledge-sharing on a global subject: the future of cities and the growing challenges they must face.

The WUOC, with the support of the IOC and the International Academy of Sport Science and Technology, aims to provide a link between past, present and future host cities involved in Olympic Games, Youth Olympic Games and also in major world sports events. It provides a platform for the exchange and transfer of knowledge. It also acts as a link between international sport and urban policy. Member cities include: Athens, Beijing, Garmisch-Partenkirchen (GER), Grenoble (FR), Lausanne (CH), London (UK), Lake Placid (USA), Los Angeles (USA), Moscow, Munich (GER), Rio de Janeiro, Sarajevo (BiH), Sochi (CIS), St-Louis (USA), St-Moritz (CH), Busan (KOR), PyeongChang (KOR) and Denver (USA). The steering committee comprises Lausanne, Athens, London, Sochi, Rio de Janeiro, Beijing, Lake Placid and two representatives of the IOC.

For further information please contact:

Denis Décosterd, head of City Development and Communication Department, Lausanne, tel: +41 (0)79 478 39 71.

The full programme and the list of speakers at the 2009 Lausanne Summit are available on the website www.olympiccities.org.