summit 2024
Thank you for your participation!
We hope you enjoyed the experience. See you next year in seoul, 20-22 october, 2025!
2024 summit
ifs & cities: mix and match
In the year of the 30th anniversary celebration of the designation of Lausanne as the Olympic Capital, there was no better place than Lausanne, the home of international sport, and no better opportunity than the smartcities & sport summit to explore the dynamic synergies between ambitious host cities and visionary International sports Federations.
In the world of sports events, there is no one-size-fits-all approach, or one specific handbook to follow. Instead, success results from constant dialogue, beginning with defining the scale and scope of an event to align seamlessly with the unique possibilities cities can offer. Collaboration is the key. Through each stage of the process, cities and federations provide the impetus for change in one another’s realms.
The institutional structures of cities and international federations are completely different. Their composition may vary in terms of local authorities or associations, and they differ in terms of operations, means, and expectations. But when it comes to working together towards a common goal – the success of a sporting event – they share a common ambition.
This is what “mix and match” means: the successful unification of different entities for the harmonious achievement of a greater shared aim.
We hope you enjoyed the 2024 smartcities & sport summit held in Lausanne, the Olympic Capital!
ioc president thomas bach
Message to the smartcities & sport summit
From Copenhagen to Paris, through Lausanne, President Thomas Bach has participated in your debates, demonstrating continuous support from the IOC. Unfortunately, this year he couldn’t be present, but he wanted to send a message to the smartcities and sport.
Click here to access videos from all summit sessions and relive the smartcities & sport summit 2024 in replay!
summit programme
events: at the heart of the if-city relationship
In the long journey IFs and cities engage in, the execution of the event is only the tip of a vast iceberg. Sport events bring cities and federations together, creating partnerships that fuel excitement and opportunities. At the core of an event, all stakeholders converge to celebrate sport: federations, cities, the staff and leaders of an event organiser, athletes and audience. Lasting for a couple of hours to a few days, spectators attend a sporting experience which is limited in duration, experiencing brief moments of excitement. This is the very moment when sport is in the spotlight, the city shines, and the party is geared towards the public.
a common goal to achieve a meaningful project
Is the sport competition the only common objective? Behind the scenes, organising and hosting a sports event is a meticulous process that unfolds over months and years. This journey, when executed ideally, leaves a lasting and meaningful legacy for both the city and the federation. Success isn’t just about the event itself; it’s about cultivating a powerful partnership which creates shared vision and strategy that allows each partner to achieve their own objectives. Following the event, efforts are directed towards giving back to the communities (citizens, athletes, public services users, etc.) to ensure a relevant legacy. This can take the form of improvements on current venues for better future use and access, or by using temporary venues so as not to impact the events’ sites. Federations can spark innovation, enhance accessibility, improve mobility, and boost sports participation and fan engagement within the city. Simultaneously, cities can elevate sustainability standards and legacy requirements, providing a platform for organisers to scale up their impact. Together, with a shared vision and commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility, they can create a transformative experience that transcends the event, and in doing so, they become mutual change-makers.
a science-based toolbox: strategic planning, decision-making, key performance indicators
A process which is informed by science and technology offers solid support during the different phases of the sporting event, from design to evaluation. A successful “mix and match” is a clever assembly of knowledge, skills, expertise and opportunities. It is not a matter of chance or luck but the combination of many parameters that are essential for the successful hosting of a sports event. These include climate, events calendar, location, accessibility, financial constraints, etc., that must be evaluated and calculated. Certainly not all cities can host all sports events and not all sports events can fit in all cities. There is, however, nearly always an appropriate time and place for an event. Relevant instruments, including technology, science, artificial intelligence, are available to secure relevant partnerships and operate win-win combinations.
Full programme in pdf here
2024 award smartcities & sport

2024 smartcities & sport award presented at fiba headquarters
This year, we introduced the smartcities & sport award, designed to celebrate an innovative project that has already been successfully implemented and has made a tangible impact through sport in an urban environment.
For the 2024 edition, the City of Paris was selected as the winner for its exceptional commitment and initiatives during the paris 2024 olympic and paralympic games. The award was presented during the first day of the summit at fiba headquarters, where pierre rabadan, vice-mayor of paris, accepted the accolade on behalf of the city.
This recognition highlights paris’ efforts in leveraging the games as a catalyst for positive urban transformation, showcasing a model for cities worldwide looking to integrate sport into their development strategies.
summit speakers
summit venues
International Basketball Federation
“The Patrick Baumann House of Basketball” is the headquarters of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA).
The House of Basketball is home to FIBA’s administrative staff, as well as a FIBA Conference Centre, the FIBA Hall of Fame, the Exhibition Hall, and the Pedro Ferrandiz Library.
Seen from above, the building resembles a hand, one of the important elements of FIBA’s visual identity. It also includes a steel structure which references the weave of a basketball net.
The conferences on 12 November will take place at the House of Basketball.
Maison du Sport International
The Maison du Sport International (MSI) is a unique complex that brings together several of the leading players in international sports administration under one roof.
It is notably the headquarters of around thirty international sports federations and organisations and some twenty companies active in the field of sport.
Strategically positioned on the shores of Lake Geneva, the MSI officially opened in June 2006 and has created a remarkable opportunity for international sports federations, sports organisations and companies working in the field of sport, allowing them to work together, cultivate contacts, share experiences, and take advantage of synergies.
The conferences on 13 November will take place at the Maison du Sport International.
World Archery Excellence Centre
The World Archery Excellence Centre is a training, competition, and learning facility dedicated to archery in Lausanne.
Opened in 2016, the building has hosted many international sporting and non-sporting events.
Located 15 minutes from downtown Lausanne, the World Archery Excellence Centre will host the welcome dinner on 11 November 2024.
Hotel Beau-Rivage Palace
The Beau-Rivage Palace is a famous ambassador of the highest Swiss hotel tradition since 1861. Ideally located on the shores of Lake Geneva, the Beau-Rivage Palace is nestled in a natural setting, a stone’s throw from the centre of Lausanne. Victor Hugo, Charlie Chaplin, Coco Chanel, Nelson Mandela, and Tina Turner are just a few of the many famous guests who have enjoyed the Palace hospitality.
The Beau-Rivage Palace will host the smartcities & sport gala dinner on 12 November 2024.