The Institute of Sports Sciences (ISS) at Universidad Santo Tomás (UST), in cooperation with the FIFA/CIES International University Network and the Chilean Association of Sports Journalists, organised a seminar on the theme of “the legacy of mega sporting events” last week. The event - which also welcomed international speakers - took place in Santiago, in the ISS auditorium which is part of the Olympic Training Centre.
Several personalities from the sports world took part in the seminar. Among them Ricardo Trade, CEO of the FIFA Brazil 2014 World Cup, René Rosas, Executive Director of Copa America Chile 2015 and Rodrigo Grimalt, head of the “physical activity and sport” division of the Chilean National Institute of Sport. The discussions were moderated by journalist Jorge “Coke” González, Rodrigo Alvarado, Director of ISS and of the UST/FIFA/CIES Programme in sport management, as well as José Luis Fernández, Director of the the Chilean Association of Sports Journalists.
The seminar, which was so to speak the “academic event” of the Copa America, was organised in the framework of the FIFA/CIES Programme organised by UST and CIES for almost 10 years now. Over fifty students attending the said Programme taught in other Latin American countries (Argentina, Peru and Venezuela) took a study trip to Chile to participate and discover various aspects of Chilean sport. They also met their 26 Chilean colleagues to share great moments with them.
In an overview of many aspects of the World Cup, Ricardo Trade mentioned the figures showing the enthusiasm around the event (number of fans, foreign tourists, tweets, photos sent via internet 4G, etc.). During the session, he did not hesitate to answer questions about the protests on the sidelines of the World Cup. He emphasised that this competition made it possible to attract resources to Brazil and to contribute to development of the host cities.
René Rosas described the success of the Copa America in terms of ticketing (18 of the 26 matches were sold out) and the improvement of many logistic aspects. Finally, Rodrigo Grimalt emphasised the importance of major sports events in Chile. These benefit from the support of the government and ministry of sports. For example, the South American Games “Santiago 2014” allowed the renovation or construction of several infrastructures such as the National Stadium, the Yates Higuerillas club and the Peñalolén sports ground.
In conclusion, René Rosas said that “the seminar played an important role making it possible to discuss all the parameters we focused on in the framework of the Copa America”. Ricardo Trade added that “this competition made it possible to increase the visibility and reputation of Chile. In Brazil, everyone is talking about your country now and has discovered the host cities of the Copa. This is the image of Chile conveyed to the whole world!”
Finally, both José Luis Fernández and Rodrigo Alvarado emphasised the essential role of training in the world of sport. “We must listen and learn, and not always talk. We therefore need to reinforce this type of cooperation, this type of formative event!” They also thanked all the institutions and contributors who worked successfully on organisation of the seminar covered by CNN and CDF (Canal del Fútbol), among others.