G20 National Olympic Committees virtual conference opens

Prince Abdul Aziz bin Turki Al-Faisal will chair the summit-level meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Short Url
Updated 17 November 2020
Follow

G20 National Olympic Committees virtual conference opens

  • The conference will discuss opportunities and challenges facing the Olympic movement and the global sports sector in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic

JEDDAH: The conference of National Olympic Committees (NOC) of the G20 countries will take place in Riyadh on Tuesday with the support of the Saudi Secretariat of the G20 and the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee.

Prince Abdul Aziz bin Turki Al-Faisal will chair the summit-level meeting dubbed “The Olympic movement during and after the COVID-19 pandemic” as part of a program of international conferences held on the sidelines of the Saudi presidency of the G20 this year.

The conference will discuss opportunities and challenges facing the Olympic movement and the global sports sector in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The conference also aims to shed light on the important role that the movement plays in helping the international community to recover socially, economically and healthwise from the pandemic.

Leading the keynote speakers at the virtual conference is the president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach, as honorary chair of the conference. Other speakers are IOC board member, Princess Reema bint Bandar Al-Saud; member of the board of directors of the Japanese Olympic Committee, Momii Keiko; president of the Italian Olympic Committee, Giovanni Malago; Dr. Tedros Adhanom, director general of the World Health Organization (WHO); Robin Mitchell, president of the Association of National Olympic Committees; Witold Banka, president of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA); James Macleod, director of Olympic Solidarity and NOC Relations; chairman of the Y20 Youth Engagement Group, Othman Al-Muammar; and vice president of the U20 Urban Community Engagement Group, Hussam Al-Qurashi.

The Saudi Olympic committee invited all National Olympic Committees of the G20 countries, in addition to the NOCs of countries invited for the G20 summit — UAE, Jordan, Spain, Rwanda, Singapore, Switzerland and Vietnam. Representatives from WHO, international federations and continental Olympic committees will also attend.


Flick: We are here to win the Spanish Super Cup

Updated 49 min 41 sec ago
Follow

Flick: We are here to win the Spanish Super Cup

  • Hansi Flick: Athletic Bilbao has many attacking options and we have to play our best game defensively and offensively
  • Flick: We have to be smart about the players we sign. Our players are progressing. Our youngsters are developing, and we have faith in them

JEDDAH: Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick said that his team is fully prepared for their Spanish Super Cup semifinal against Athletic Bilbao, in Jeddah, on Wednesday, and hopes to go all the way in the tournament.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, the German coach discussed the team’s current form and a range of related topics, including the imminent signing of Joao Cancelo.

He said: “There are two games left to win the title. That’s motivation enough. At Barca, you want to win titles. That’s what the club and the fans want. We’re here to be successful.”

“It is a tough match against Athletic Bilbao which is considered as one of the best teams in the La Liga. Athletic has many attacking options and we have to play our best game defensively and offensively.”

On the signing of Joao Cancelo, he confirmed: “It’s not a done deal, but I’d be happy if it goes through. We talked about signing a center-back, but this is a good option for these six months.”

“Joao is a good player and he can play both (left and right) full-backs. That’s why we need him.”

“We have to be smart about the players we sign. Our players are progressing. Our youngsters are developing, and we have faith in them.