Jyväskylä, which enjoys a strong reputation as a congress city, will reap new merit with the staging of the world's largest fitness and health sports congress in June 2010. The rights to organize the event were granted by the International Olympic Committee (KOK). The four-day World Sport for All congress is expected to attract approximately a thousand participants to Jyväskylä, of whom the majority will be international visitors. Some 300-400 papers will be given at the congress.
"The congress will emphasise the importance of health sports. The aim is to discuss among other things the risk factors associated with a sedentary lifestyle, and what we can do about people's low levels of exercise. The problem is global in scope", says Professor Paavo Komi, a member of the IOC's Sport for All committee, of the congress agenda.
Komi considers the choice of focus a natural one for the Jyväskylä congress, since Finland is renowned for its achievements in the field of health sports research. He explains that at the world's largest fitness and health sports congress the very latest research findings come face-to-face with practical applications.
Practical arrangements for the World Sport for All congress are the responsibility of LIKES - Foundation for Sport and Health Sciences and the University of Jyväskylä's Neuromuscular Research Center.
The health sports congress may well bring Jacques Rogge, chairman of the International Olympic Committee, to Jyväskylä since the IOC chairman has almost always put in an appearance at the event. As the congress programme takes shape enquiries will also be made regarding the possible participation of World Health Organisation leaders.
The IOC's aim is to award the right to stage the biennial congress to organisations in different parts of the world. In 2008 it was organised in Malaysia. The present series of congresses began in 1986.
Words by Tommi Salo
JYVÄSKYLÄ - Human Technology City 2009-01