Two of Liverpool’s leading sporting executives are to oversee the delivery of the city’s major international sports events.
Brian Barwick – the former controller of ITV Sport, Chair of the Rugby Football League and Chief Executive of the Football Association – will chair a new Sports Event Delivery Group (SEDG).
The group will maximise the opportunities from upcoming international sporting events, including the Special Olympics GB National Summer Games 2021 and the 2022 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships.
Professor Denise Barrett-Baxendale MBE, Director and Chief Executive of Everton Football Club, will chair the board for the Special Olympics GB National Summer Games 2021.
The Special Olympics is the UK’s biggest disability sports event and will be held in Liverpool in August 2021 at venues including ACC Liverpool, Greenbank Sports Academy and Wavertree Athletics Village. A spectacular opening and closing ceremony, a legacy festival and a dedicated volunteer programme will complement this multi-sport event. Up to3,000 athletes will be involved in a wide range of sports including athletics, boccia, football, gymnastics and swimming.
The 2022 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships will see an estimated 600 gymnasts from 90 countries taking part in 10 days of competition at ACC Liverpool, generating a local economic impact of £5.1 million and the event will also be a qualifying event for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
More information about the Special Olympics GB National Summer Games can be found here.
More information about the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships can be found here.
Recruitment is also under way for board members for the SEDG and a chair and board members for World Gymnastics, to provide oversight and direction. Candidates are sought who understand the role that sport, physical activity and major events can play in society. More information and application forms are available here – the closing date is Friday 29 November.
