World Masters Games 2017

Questions and Answers

15 March 2012

What is the ?

The World Masters Games is the world’s largest multi-sport event and one of the great international sports events providing people of all abilities not only with reasons to play organised sport in later life but also with opportunities to travel the globe, experience different cultures and make new friends. Through this event, the International Masters Games Association (IMGA) advances the “sport for all” philosophy of the Olympic Charter by promoting lifelong competition, friendship and understanding between sportspeople, regardless of age, gender, race, religion or sport status.

What other cities have hosted the World Masters Games?

The World Masters Games take place every four years. They were first staged in , in 1985 and have since been hosted in Aalborg, Aarhus and Herning (1989), (1994), Portland, Oregon (1998), (2002), (2005) and (2009). Torino, Italy will host the Games in 2013.

The in Sydney involved 28 sports and more than 28,600 competitors from 95 countries. This is more than twice the number of competitors that took part in the Sydney 2000 .

How much will it cost to host the World Masters Games and who will fund this?

The cost to host the Games in will be $33.6 million. Auckland Council and Central Government have approved $11 million each and the remaining $11.6 million will come from revenues and sponsorship. An economic impact assessment of the Games estimates the return on this investment will be an inflow of cash into Auckland of approximately $46 million and a GDP impact of around $37 million. This research estimates the attendance of 35,880 people, including 7740 domestic visitors and 17,060 international visitors with the balance coming from within Auckland. This will generate an estimated 250,810 visitor nights in Auckland.

How did Auckland win the rights to host the World Masters Games in 2017?

Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) put together a bid for the Games which was delivered to the International Masters Games Association (IMGA) earlier this year. The IMGA evaluates all bids based on specific criteria.

What criteria did Auckland have to meet?

The technical requirements for a World Masters Games host city are:

• 5,000 volunteers (includes sports officials) • Sufficient standard of sports facilities at time of bidding and an assurance that no new venues are to be constructed in order to meet World Masters Games requirements • Accommodation infrastructure capable of meeting the needs of a minimum of 23,000 participants and supporters • Transport infrastructure capable of moving up to 35,000 people on a daily basis • Ability to fly 20,000 people in and out of the city within a short space of time.

What other cities bid to host World Masters Games 2017?

There were sixteen international cities who were candidates at the beginning of the process. It is IMGA policy not to reveal who the other cities were. Auckland was successful with negotiations to become the host city.

What infrastructure will need to be built for the Games?

Unlike an event such as the , this event does not require hefty investment in new sporting infrastructure. In fact part of the IMGA’s rules for hosting the Games includes restrictions around expenditure on infrastructure upgrades. This is the Association’s approach to controlling the size of the event and ensuring that it does not reach a scale where it is too expensive for cities to host. Auckland’s bid is based on existing infrastructure.

What are the age restrictions for World Masters Games athletes? The international federation of each sport in the Games impose its own minimum age requirement. The minimum age requirement ranges between 25 and 35 years depending on the sport.

Who will manage the delivery of the World Masters Games in Auckland?

ATEED is responsible for the delivery of the event. ATEED has been charged with developing the appropriate governance and delivery structure.

What sports will be in the 2017 World Masters Games?

The event will be held over 10 days. There are 15 mandatory sports: , athletics, , , canoeing / kayaking, cycling, football, hockey, , , shooting, , , table , weightlifting. Optional sports likely for Auckland in 2017 are cricket 20/20, , lawn , , rugby, , surfing, / , ocean swimming, tennis, rugby, triathlon, / beach volleyball, marathon, half marathon.

What Auckland venues will be used for the Games?

The map (see next page) indicates a wide range of potential venues which would see the Games spread around the Auckland region. Please note this is indicative only and details have yet to be confirmed.