Technical Delegates from the Sportaccord Martial Art IFs met in Beijing 27-30 July in order to prepare the upcoming Sportaccord Combat Games (28 august-4 september 2010). All sports were present with their delegates as well as the Preparatory Committee Directors and their delegates. The first day was opened by the Vice-President of General Administration of Sport in , Mr. Yu Zaiqing and Vice-Mayor of Beijing Municipal Peoples Government, Mr. Liu Jingmin and IOC member Mr. C.K.Wu (also AIBA President). Mr. Wu chaired the meeting. Mr. Espen Lund was the WAKO representative as Technical Director.

Main topics of the meeting:

A presentation of each sport

Inspection of all the arenas

Workshops divided in the sports in each arena

Presentation of requirements from each of the sport to the Beijing Preparatory Committee

Drafting the program and time schedule

Very briefly some practical information.

Official Hotels

InterContinental Beichen : The Technical personnel and some Officials will use this hotel, a 5 star, which is situated close to the Olympic Green (Birds nest and Watercube arena and next to the National Indoor Stadium).

Beijing International Conventional Hotel : The hotel for athletes and coaches situated nearby the Olympic green.

Arenas (all used during the 2008 Olympic Games)

National Indoor Stadium : Used for Opening and Closing Ceremony. Normally this was supposed to be the arena for Ring sports, but after evaluation and the size of this arena, that take 18.000 spectators, it is too big.

Stadium :

The Ring Sports stadium, Boxing, Wushu, Kickboxing and Muaythai

Capacity 7.000 spectators

Science and Stadium :

Tatami Sports stadium 1, Taekwondo, Karate, Kickboxing, Judo and Jujitsu, Kendo

Capacity 8.000 spectators

Agricultural University Stadium :

Tatami Sports stadium 2, Aikido, Wrestling, Sumo, Sambo

Capacity 8.000 spectators

All qualification for participation in these games are done during the 2009 WAKO World Championships.

More information to come.

Espen Lund

P.S. Enjoy the pictures in our Gallery regarding the recent visit to Beijing structures hosting our 2010 Combat Games and the working group of technical directors from each single International Federation participating in the event.