Jon Coxeter-Smith was part of an expert panel at City Forum, an annual half-day conference, focusing on the needs and concerns of the international cities that bid for and host sporting events. The programme is set by the hosting city and it was therefore important for Dubai to focus on such issues as infrastructure and legacy as it looks to bid for the 2020 Olympic Games.

The forum began with the first panel review on sporting ‘Facilities’ and lead discussions surrounding improved infrastructure for events and the variables between permanent and temporary venues.  One recurring theme was the importance of the long-term legacy of sporting venues with the panel examining how a city should consider what is best for its community after the event has taken place and how investment should not only facilitate a successful event, but benefit the lives of its citizens long after.

After a comprehensive review, Jon Coxeter-Smith, Head of the firm’s Global Sports Group commented: "My advice to any city contemplating throwing its hat into the ring to host a sporting event would be to first have a clear idea of its vision and objectives. It is important to carefully analyse how, and to what degree, hosting an event could contribute to progressing those objectives. Following meaningful consideration, choose those events that offer the best alignment and best value; the benefits are likely to significantly outweigh the additional costs."

With London now set to host the SportAccord Convention 2011, it will present an opportunity to showcase the UK’s expertise and take the lessons learnt from these discussions to help drive the legacy of the 2012 Olympic Games.