Interview – Thomas Bach
On the spotThomas Bach President, International Olympic Committee May 2025 As your mandate is coming to an end, the World Union of Olympic Cities would like to express its sincere gratitude for your constant and faithful support to both the Union and smartcities &...
Interview – Eduardo da Costa Paes
On the spotEduardo da Costa Paes Mayor of Rio de Janeiro, BrazilApril 2025 It has been nearly 10 years since Rio de Janeiro hosted the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. In recent years, a substantial number of legacy projects have been delivered, with a focus on the...
Interview – Dieter Reiter
On the spotDieter Reiter Mayor of Munich, GermanyMarch 2025 As an Olympic City, how does Munich activate and value its Olympic legacy? For more than 50 years since the Olympic Games in 1972, Munich has been a dazzling example of how to preserve as well as to keep...
Interview – Lillehammer
On the spotHans Olav Sundfør Mayor, City of Lillehammer, Norway Per Olav Andersen CEO, Lillehammer Olympic Park Per Erik Mæhlum CEO, Lillehammer Olympic Legacy Sport CentreFebruary 2025 The City of Lillehammer joined the Union in 2021. Two Olympic legacy entities,...
Interview – Hyung-joo Ha
On the spotHyung-joo Ha President, Korea Sports Promotion Foundation (KSPO)January 2025 The cities of Seoul & PyeongChang will host the annual week of events of the World Union of Olympic Cities and smartcities & sport in October 2025. The Union warmly thanks...
Interview – Mélanie Duparc
On the spotMélanie Duparc Secretary General, World Union of Olympic CitiesNovember 2024 2024: what a year! Can you give a brief overview of the key moments which marked this extraordinary year and contributed to bringing our Association to a new dimension? Indeed,...
Interview – Eric Fournier
On the spot Eric Fournier Mayor of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, FranceSeptember 2024 What a year for Chamonix! 2024 was rich in events celebrating the centenary of the 1924 Olympic Games and connecting with the Paris 2024 Games! What do such celebrations bring to the city and...
Interview – Marie Sallois Dembreville
On the spotMarie Sallois Dembreville Corporate and Sustainable Development Director Member of the Executive Committee of the World Union of Olympic CitiesAugust 2024 As the Paris Olympic Games have just ended, with a sound legacy already on track, what are the main...
Interview – David Escudé
On the spotDavid Escudé Councilor in charge of sport, City of Barcelona, Spain Member of the Executive Committee of the World Union of Olympic CitiesJune 2024 Barcelona is well-known for being an active and dynamic city and the 1992 Olympic Games substantially...
Interview – Emilie Moeschler
On the spotÉmilie Moeschler Vice-Mayor of Lausanne, in charge of Sports and Social Cohesion Member of the Executive Committee of the World Union of Olympic CitiesMay 2024 In June 2024, the City of Lausanne will celebrate the 30th anniversary of its designation as...
Interview – Rosanna Natoli & Tom Tate
On the spotRosanna Natoli & Tom Tate Mayors of The Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast, AustraliaApril 2024 The World Union of Olympic Cities and its Members are pleased to welcome the City of Sunshine Coast and the City of Gold Coast, Co-Hosts of the Brisbane 2032...
Interview – Grégoire Junod
On the spotGrégoire Junod Mayor of Lausanne, Switzerland President of the World Union of Olympic CitiesMarch 2024 As a lively and future-oriented association, the Union is adapting to new realities and is open to new opportunities for developing its network. What are...
Interview – Martin Gibbs
On the spotMartin Gibbs Managing Director, SportAccordFebruary 2024 On April 7-11, SportAccord will hold its World Sport and Business Summit 2024 in Birmingham, UK. After four years of absence, what can cities expect this year? Birmingham, West Midlands will be a...
Interview – Jongku Choi
On the spotJongku Choi Executive President of Gangwon 2024 Organizing CommitteeJanuary 2024 As Gangwon 2024 Youth Olympic Games are in full swing, what is the main message these Games convey to the Youth of the world? I would like to convey the message that we should...
Interview – Kai Wegner
On the spot Kai Wegner Mayor of Berlin, GermanyNovember 2023 The World Union of Olympic Cities and its Members are really pleased to welcome Berlin, host of the 1936 Summer Olympic Games, as a new Member of the association. What do you expect from this membership? It...
Interview – Anne Hidalgo
On the spot Anne Hidalgo Mayor of Paris, FranceSeptember 2023 The City of Paris will host the 2023 Annual meeting of the World Union of Olympic Cities & the smartcities & sport summit from 27 November to 1st December. The Union warmly thanks you for welcoming...
Interview – Sofyan Mbarki
On the spot Sofyan Mbarki Vice-Mayor of Sports, Amsterdam, The NetherlandsAugust 2023 The City of Amsterdam will host the World Union of Olympic Cities 2023 Additional Trip. The Union warmly thanks you for welcoming its Members. As a preview of the visit, what would...
Interview – Jae Kook Sim
On the spotJae Kook Sim Mayor of PyeongChang, South KoreaJuly 2023 The City of PyeongChang will be part of the Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games's adventure. What role is PyeongChang playing in organizing and hosting events and how are all the involved sites...
Interview – Stefano Lo Russo
On the spot Stefano Lo Russo Mayor, City of Torino, ItalyJune 2023 The World Union of Olympic Cities and its Members are really pleased to welcome Torino, host of the 2006 Winter Olympic Games, as a new Member of the association. What do you expect from this...
Interview – Filippo Grandi
On the spotFilippo GrandiUNHCR, United Nations High Commissioner for RefugeesMay 2023 The Global Compact represents the political will and ambition of the international community for strengthened cooperation and solidarity with refugees and affected host countries....
Interview – Barthélemy Dias
On the spot Barthélemy Dias Mayor of Dakar, SénégalApril 2023 The City of Dakar is about to inaugurate its brand new public skatepark. This facility is part of the preparation as well as the philosophy of the Youth Olympic Games, which the City of Dakar will host in...
Interview – Erin Mendenhall
On the spot Erin Mendenhall Mayor of Salt Lake City, United States of AmericaMarch 2023 The World Union of Olympic Cities and its Members are really pleased to welcome Salt Lake City, host of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, as a new Member of the association. What do...
Interview – Eric Fournier
On the spot Eric Fournier Mayor of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, FranceFebruary 2023 The City of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc has just officially launched the celebrations of the centenary of the 1924 Olympic Games. How did the city conceive of these celebrations and what does it...
Interview – Keliang Li
On the spot Keliang Li Mayor of Zhangjiakou, The People’s Republic of ChinaNovember 2022 The World Union of Olympic Cities and its Members are really pleased to welcome the City of Zhangjiakou, host of several events during the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, as a...
Interview – Martin Berthod
On the spotMartin Berthod Vice-Mayor in charge of Tourism, Sport and Culture St. Moritz, SwitzerlandSeptember 2022 The City of St. Moritz will host the World Union of Olympic Cities 2022 Additional Trip. The Union warmly thanks you for welcoming its Members. What...
Interview – Valérie Plante
On the spotValérie Plante Mayor, City of MontréalAugust 2022 The City of Montréal has decided to renew its membership in the World Union of Olympic Cities and we are delighted. What do you expect from the Association and how do you wish to contribute to the life and...
Interview – Adrian Schrinner
On the spot Adrian Schrinner Lord Mayor of Brisbane, AustraliaApril 2022 The World Union of Olympic Cities and its Members are very pleased to welcome the City of Brisbane as a new Member of the association. What do you expect from this membership and how would you...
Interview – Kostas Bakoyannis
On the spotKostas Bakoyannis Mayor of Athens, GreeceFebruary 2022 When we think of Athens, we immediately think of “Olympics” and ”Olympism”. Host of the first edition of the Modern Era Olympic Games, Athens also hosted the 2004 Games. What are the legacies left by...
Interview – Xiaohui Fu
On the spotXiaohui Fu Secretary General of Beijing Olympic Development Association Member of the Executive Committee of the World Union of Olympic CitiesJanuary 2022 The City of Beijing is about to host the Winter Olympic Games. Beijing will be the first Olympic City...
Interview – Emilie Moeschler
On the spotÉmilie Moeschler Vice-Mayor of Lausanne, in charge of Sports and Social Cohesion Member of the Executive Committee of the World Union of Olympic CitiesAugust 2021 In a few words, can you introduce yourself to the members of the World Union of Olympic...
Interview – Ingunn Trosholmen
On the spotIngunn Trosholmen Mayor of Lillehammer, NorwayJune 2021 Mayor Trosholmen, thanks for welcoming the Members of the World Union of Olympic Cities for the 2021 Annual Meeting and additional trip. What are you expecting from such a visit? The Olympic history is...
Interview – Benjamina Karić
On the spotBenjamina Karić Mayor of Sarajevo, Bosnia and HerzegovinaMay 2021 Mayor Karić, Congratulations on being elected Mayor of Sarajevo. The World Union of Olympic Cities welcomes you with great pleasure and would be happy to know more about you. Could you...
Interview – Pierre Rabadan
On the spotPierre Rabadan Deputy Mayor of Paris, in charge of Sport and Olympic and Paralympic Games Executive Committee MemberApril 2021 As a new member of the World Union of Olympic Cities’ Executive Committee, could you introduce yourself and say in a few words...
Interview – Brigitte de Bernis
On the spot Brigitte de Bernis Mayor of Chamrousse, France March 2021 Chamrousse joined the World Union of Olympic Cities this year. We are delighted to welcome you to the Olympic City family. What do you expect from being a Member of the Union? We are delighted...
Interview – Grégoire Junod
On the spotGrégoire Junod, Mayor of Lausanne City of Lausanne President of the World Union of Olympic CitiesJanuary 2021 As we have now fully entered into 2021, what are your feelings about the 2020 achievements by the Union? First of all, I would like to warmly wish...
Interview – Tania Braga
On the spotTania Braga Head of Legacy International Olympic CommitteeNovember 2020 In terms of Olympic legacy collection and promotion, what is your assessment of the 2017-2020 period ? Back in 2017, someone who wanted to get an overview of the legacy of a specific...
Interview – Alderman Peter Wouters
On the spot Alderman Peter Wouters Vice Mayor of the City of Antwerp Responsible for sports, diamond and markets & fairsAugust 2020 How did the city’s sport department face the pandemic and what kind of initiatives were implemented to stay connected with the...
Interview – Gabriele Freytag
On the spotGabriele Freytag Head of the Directorate for Sport, Senate Department for the Interior and Sport, City of BerlinJune 2020 Lockdown can lead to a lack of exercise and physical activity, damaging physical and mental health. However, the period was also a...
Interview – Craig Randall
On the spotCraig Randall Former Mayor of Lake PlacidFebruary 2020 Lake Placid set up a wonderful and rich programme to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the 1980 Olympic Games! You have hosted a full set of activities and events, from exhibitions to sports...
Interview – Grégoire Junod
On the spotGrégoire Junod Mayor of Lausanne President of the World Union of Olympic CitiesJanuary 2020 The year 2020 got off to an exceptional start in Lausanne! Now that the curtain has come down on the Youth Olympic Games, it is time to take stock on this unique...
Interview – Hisao Katō
On the spotHisao Katō Mayor of Nagano CitySeptember 2019 Nagano joined the World Union of Olympic Cities this year. We are delighted to welcome you to the Olympic City family. What do you expect from being a Member of the Union?We are very glad to be joining the Union...
Interview – Katsura Enyo
On the spotKatsura Enyo Senior Director of 2020 Games Preparation Division, Tokyo Metropolitan GovernmentAugust 2019 Tokyo will host the 2020 Summer Games. How will the Games contribute to shape the future Tokyo? What impacts of the 2020 Games do you expect for the...
Interview – Tony Houhlias
On the spotTony Houhlias Executive Manager, Sports Development Sydney Olympic ParkMay 2019 In 2000, at the Sydney Olympic Closing Ceremony, Juan Antonio Samaranch said that these were the best Olympic Games ever. What remains, 19 years later, in Sydney from this...
Interview – Joël Bouzou
On the spotJoël Bouzou President, World Olympians AssociationApril 2019 The World Olympians Association held its second World Olympians Forum April 15-17 in Lausanne. What did this gathering bring to WOA in terms of fresh ideas, reflections and opportunities of...
Interview – Georg Spazier
On the spotGeorg Spazier CEO, innsbruck-tirol sports Executive Committee Member of the World Union of Olympic CitiesMarch 2019 Innsbruck already hosted the Winter Olympic Games in 1964 and 1976 as well as the 2012 Winter YOG. How does the City activate its Olympic...
Interview – Gianpietro Ghedina
On the spotGianpietro Ghedina Mayor, Cortina d’Ampezzo, ItalyFebruary 2019 Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo presented a joint application for the Winter Olympic Games of 2026. What are the advantages of a two-headed bid? The proposal is in line with the IOC’s 2020 Agenda...
Interview – Jana Janotovà
On the spotJana Janotová International Relations Manager, Czech Olympic CommitteeCould you describe in a few words what is an Olympic Festival and the Sport Parks Inspired by the Olympics project? The Olympic Festival is a new Olympic asset created by the IOC in 2017....
Interview – Ian Logan
On the spotIan Logan CEO of the Lausanne 2020 YOG Organising CommitteeJanuary 2019 Where are you in your YOG calendar? The eight sites are well defined. These are the first binational Games, we have a very good collaboration with France and especially with the Jura....
Interview – Ibrahima Diame
On the spotIbrahima Diame President of the Sport and Youth Commission City of Dakar, SenegalDecember 2018 The City of Dakar has just been awarded the organisation of the 2022 Youth Olympic Games. What does this IOC decision represent for the city, for the country and...
Interview – Eleonora Bauer
On the spotEleonora Bauer Director of the Buenos Aires Ciudad Activa Project Buenos Aires City Government, ArgentinaOctober 2018 The first ever edition of the Olympism in Action Forum took place in Buenos Aires, on the eve of the opening of the Youth Olympic Games....
Interview – Eric Fournier
On the spot Eric Fournier Mayor of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, FranceSeptember 2018 The city of Chamonix has decided to join the Union and we are delighted to welcome you. What do you think the Union can bring to Chamonix as an Olympic city and what can Chamonix bring to the...
Interview – Oscar Tosato
On the spotOscar Tosato Vice-Mayor in charge of Sports and of Social Cohesion for the City of Lausanne, SwitzerlandAugust 2018 You have recently returned from Jerusalem where you attended the 52nd edition of the International Children’s Games. What have you taken away...
Interview – Olivier Cogne
On the spotOlivier Cogne Director, Musée Dauphinois, Grenoble Direction of Culture and Heritage Department of IsèreJuly 2018 The Musée Dauphinois is home to a great exhibition on Grenoble 1968 Olympic Games, in which focuses in particular on the transformation of the...
Interview – Maxime Dufour-Lapointe
On the spot Maxime Dufour-Lapointe Olympian 2014 Freestyle Moguls Maxime Dufour-Lapointe was born in Montréal, Canada. She is one of the three sisters who all competed in Sochi 2014. Joining Justine and Chloé, they were just the third trio of sisters to ever compete...
Interview – Shelley Watts
On the spot Shelley Watts Olympian 2016 Boxing Shelley Watts was born in 1987 in the small coastal town of Laurieton, north of Sydney, Australia. As a boxer, Shelley competed in the women’s lightweight division at the 2014 Commonwealth Games where she won the gold...
Interview – Marie Sallois
On the spotMarie Sallois Corporate and Sustainable Development Director Member of the Executive Committee of the World Union of Olympic CitiesMay 2018 This year, the International Olympic Committee is launching the first ever Olympism in Action Forum. What is new and...
Interview – Grégoire Junod
On the spotGrégoire Junod Mayor of Lausanne President of the World Union of Olympic CitiesHow would you qualify the Union’s action and achievements in the year 2017 in three words? “Growth”, “On-site”, “Inspiration”. First, the Union continued to grow steadily in...
Interview – Duane Kale
On the spotDuane Kale Vice-President of the Governing Board of the International Paralympic CommitteeThe curtain has just fallen on the PyeongChang Paralympic Winter Games. How do you assess this edition of the Paralympics in terms of sports promotion, facilities and...
Interview – Jae Kook Sim
On the spotJae Kook Sim Mayor of PyeongChang, South KoreaFebruary 2018 The PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games are already a popular success. What instruments and incentives were used to mobilise the local population and to ensure ownership of the locals of “their”...
Interview – Liu Jingmin
On the spotLiu Jingmin, Executive Vice Chairman Beijing Olympic City Development Association (BODA) Vice-President of the World Union of Olympic CitiesApril 2018 What of Pyeongchang’s practices will be adopted and upgraded in the preparatory work of the Beijing 2022...