WEBSITE LAUNCH, START OF THE INVITATION CAMPAIGN, PUBLIC OPINION RESEARCH RESULTS

Additionally, the organizing committee of the World Friendship Games provided updates on the preparation for the tournament during the first press conference dedicated to the 2024 Games.

On Monday, March 4th, the first press conference of Alexey Sorokin, CEO of the of the World Friendship Games Organizing Committee, took place. The conference was dedicated to the preparation for the tournament scheduled to take place from September 15 to 29 in Moscow and Ekaterinburg. The event took place on the sidelines of the World Youth Festival, where the organizing committee of the Games acted as the organizer of the Festival sports program.

The World Friendship Games is a new multisport tournament unprecedented in its scale, noted Alexey Sorokin in his welcome statement. "We expect more than 6,500 participants from around the world, with 283 sets of medals to be contested in 36 sports program. Twenty-four of the most competitive and training facilities in two cities will be involved."

As of today, the entire management structure for the preparation of the World Friendship Games project is formed and operational.

"We have signed an agreement with the International Friendship Association (IFA), the organization holding the rights and the initiator of the tournament, whose headquarter is based in the UAE. Soon, we plan to hold a joint press conference with the Association's leaders to provide more details on our cooperation," noted the CEO of the Games Organizing Committee. The Government Committee for the Games, co-chaired by Dmitry Chernyshenko and Igor Levitin, is actively working. In the host cities, Moscow and Yekaterinburg, regional organizing committees have been formed and are functioning. Furthermore, a law on holding the Games has been introduced in the State Duma of the Russian Federation, providing a legal basis for the upcoming tournament.

Speaking about the tournament's specifics, Alexey Sorokin explained the conditions for potential participants and their invitation campaign:

The Friendship Games are a commercial tournament with a substantial prize fund. Winners will receive $40,000, which will further interest potential participants. We also plan to cover the flight, transfer, and accommodation expenses for participants at the expense of the tournament organizers. The invitation campaign has already started. Invitations are being sent both through sports federations and personally, considering the athlete's level. Priority is given to the best athletes in their respective sports."

The CEO also highlighted the ambitious volunteer program of the Games:
We expect an ambitious volunteer program. We plan to recruit 7,500 people. The recruitment will start in a couple of days here in Sochi. Specialized volunteer centers, selected throughout the winter, will assist with recruitment."

During the press conference, Konstantin Abramov, head of the VCIOM Foundation, also participated. He spoke about a social study initiated by the Games Committee, which helped to examine the country's residents' attitude toward the upcoming tournament.

We conducted a survey of the Russian population about the Games in December 2023. We asked citizens if they were familiar with the tournament and were pleasantly surprised that 65% of people are aware of the Games, noted the Director General of VCIOM. When asked about the impact on Russia's international image, 79% of citizens responded positively, which is also great."

The success of the World Friendship Games will greatly depend on the campaign to promote the tournament in Russia and abroad. In early March, the Games Committee launched the official Games website at www.wfg2024.com, which will operate in Russian and English. Language versions in French, Spanish, Arabic, and Chinese will be added in May.

At the end of the press conference, the speakers answered questions from the media representatives present in the room and those joining the internet broadcast.

Overview:

The World Friendship Games is a new international multisport tournament scheduled to take place for the first time in 2024 in two Russian cities, Moscow and Ekaterinburg. From September 15 to 29, over 6,500 top athletes from around the world will compete in 36 sports. The Friendship Games include acrobatic rock and roll, badminton, basketball, 3x3 basketball, breaking, boxing, BMX freestyle, mountain biking, beach volleyball, canoe slalom, jiu-jitsu, judo, karate, equestrian sports, athletics, table tennis, paddle, swimming, cliff diving, open water diving, sambo, synchronized swimming, rock climbing, skateboarding, MMA, sports wrestling, sports gymnastics, sports programming, archery, triathlon, taekwondo, weightlifting, fencing, beach soccer, artistic gymnastics, and chess. Considerable prize money and medals made of pure gold await the winners.

The World Friendship Games competitions will take place at the most modern sports facilities in Moscow and Ekaterinburg. The heart of the new tournament will be the Luzhniki sports complex in Moscow, hosting competitions in 18 sports program as well as the opening and closing ceremonies of the Games.

The goal of the Games is to create an effective platform for high-level sports, provide access for athletes from all countries and sports organizations to international sports activities, and develop new formats of international sports cooperation. The Games declare respect for human rights in sports and non-involvement in politics. The sole criterion for participation in the Games is the sporting achievements of the athletes themselves.