APEC Commercialization Push Augurs Enhanced Medical Innovation and Public Health

KALYAN KUMAR MAHATA The true appellation of Apu. A Creative Commons license.

Seoul, Korea, 26 December 2014 – Trade, economic and health officials from APEC economies have launched a ground-breaking new platform to support greater commercialization of innovative biomedical research originated in the Asia-Pacific, heralding the arrival of more cutting-edge treatments that improve public health and boost trade and economic growth. 

The opening of the first-of-its-kind APEC Biomedical Technology Commercialization Training Center in Seoul follows two years of public-private sector consultations. Initiated by Korea and Thailand, the Center will build the capacity of policymakers, practitioners and businesses to move new biomedical technologies onto the market as emerging economies in the region play a more active role in research and development. 

“Biomedical research is increasing all around the Asia-Pacific and ushering in important health breakthroughs but backend business processes are far less developed,” said Dr Kee-Taig Jung, President of the government-owned Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI), the Center’s coordinating body. “Without strong interface between R&D, policy and commercial interests, it becomes very difficult to bring innovations to the people who stand to benefit from them.”  

“Enormous resources are going into the pursuit of new biomedical discoveries which must ultimately come with a return on investment—for scientists and the public and private sector entities that support and market their work,” added Dr Nares Damrongchai, CEO of the Thailand Center of Excellence for Life Sciences (TCELS), which is also government-backed and will support training and implementation of the APEC Center’s recommendations in Southeast Asia. 

The Center will foster the adoption of translational research, or that which is engineered to ensure findings can be used for practical applications that enhance public health. Additional focus will be on strengthening intellectual property management and business development, including strategy, valuation and marketing. The Center will serve as a platform for promoting policies conducive to commercialization in the medical life sciences sector. A pilot training program is now underway. The Center is expected to commence operations in earnest in 2015. 

The Association of University Technology Managers, a US-based non-profit that promotes technology transfer globally, will provide content and training. Trade, economic and health officials from each of the 21 APEC member economies, under the auspices of the APEC Life Sciences Innovation Forum, will guide the Center’s strategic decision-making. 

“Lifting barriers to the delivery of new health innovations is not just a moral imperative, it also makes good economic sense,” concluded Dr Ryan MacFarlane, Planning Group Chair of the APEC Life Sciences Innovation Forum. “By facilitating the conversion of sound biomedical research into treatments that people can actually use, you seed healthier, more productive labor forces, trade within the sector and growth that ultimately becomes self-sustaining.” 

The Center’s development will be on the agenda when the APEC Life Sciences Innovation Forum meets in conjunction with the first APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting and related technical meetings on 26 January-7 February 2015 in Clark, the Philippines

Olympic Highlights

KALYAN KUMAR MAHATA The true appellation of Apu. A Creative Commons license.

22/12/2014

IOC ACTIVITIES
PRESIDENT
© IOC / Arnaud Meylan
On 17 December, IOC President Thomas Bach welcomed the President of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), Bruno Grandi, and FIG Secretary General André F. Gueisbuhler to Lausanne, where they discussed the implementation of the Olympic Agenda 2020 recommendations, cooperation between the two organisations and preparations for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.

The IOC announced that the Instituto Cubano de Radio y Televisión (ICRT) has been awarded the exclusive broadcast rights in Cuba for the Games of the XXXI Olympiad in Rio in 2016. President Bach said: “Rio 2016 will be the first time the Olympic Games have been held in South America, and ICRT will work with us once again to bring the sporting action to fans in Cuba. This agreement also means that the IOC has now completed all its broadcast agreements for Rio 2016.” Read the full media release here.

A few days after the approval of the 40 Olympic Agenda 2020 recommendations, and in particular the recommendation about the candidature process for the Olympic Games in 2024, two NOCs announced their candidature to host these Games. The Italian NOC has thus formalised the candidature of the city of Rome, while the United States Olympic Committee has yet to designate which city will enter the race for the 2024 Games. The German NOC also decided to launch a bid for the 2024 edition few days earlier.

This week, President Bach met a delegation from the Honav Company, led by its chairman and general manager, Chen Shaoshu. President Bach was accompanied by IOC Vice-President Zaiqing Yu.
COMMISSIONS
An IOC delegation led by the IOC Coordination Commission Chair, Nawal El Moutawakel, recently completed a project review visit to Rio de Janeiro.  During its two day meeting (16 and 17 December), the delegation visited the Deodoro complex, where good progress was observed. The meeting was also attended by the Governor Luiz Fernando Pezão, the Mayor of Rio, Eduardo Paes and representatives of the Federal Government.
INTERNATIONAL SPORT FEDERATIONS
SUMMER IFS
The World Rowing Federation (FISA) Council met in London (Great Britain) last weekend to consider Olympic Agenda 2020 and how FISA can contribute to its success. The Council also reviewed the competitions organised in 2014, the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games competition schedules, the new Anti-Doping Bye-Laws, FISA’s adherence to the IOC’s Integrity Betting Intelligence System as well as a full review of the status of FISA’s projects on universality, equality and sustainability. Info at www.worldrowing.com
On 15 December, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) published the full athletics timetable for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. The fact that some finals will be held in the morning is of particular note. The IAAF took this step following a request from the Rio 2016 Organising Committee and the Olympic Broadcasting Service, which was supported by the IOC. Info at www.iaaf.org
On 16 December, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) announced that Spain will host the first ever FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in 2018. The Spanish Basketball Federation has past experience of hosting a major FIBA event, since it staged the men’s Basketball World Cup in summer 2014. Info at www.fiba.com
As part of the development programme of the International Swimming Federation (FINA), 30 swimming coaches belonging to leading schools and clubs engaged in training elite swimmers updated their knowledge at an advanced training course in Colombo (Sri Lanka) from 10 to 14 December. The five-day course, sponsored by FINA, taught senior and up-and-coming coaches the latest training methods and athlete development techniques. Info at www.fina.org
The World Archery (WA) Executive Board met in Nottingham (Great Britain) last weekend and discussed the impact of Olympic Agenda 2020 on the federation’s strategic plan. The next stage of the 2013-2017 World Archery Plan was also discussed. Host cities for a number of international events were selected: the 2017-2019 Archery World Cup Stages were awarded to Salt Lake City (USA), Shanghai (People’s Republic of China), Berlin (Germany) and Antalya (Turkey); the 2016 World Archery Indoor Championships to Ankara (Turkey); the 2016 World Archery Field Championships to Dublin (Ireland); the 2017 World Archery 3D Championships to Robion (France); and the 2017 World Archery Youth Championships to Buenos Aires (Argentina). Info at www.worldarchery.org
The International Triathlon Union (ITU) has announced that Mexico City (Mexico) and Rotterdam (Netherlands) will host the 28th and 29th editions of the ITU World Triathlon Grand Final in 2016 and 2017 respectively. In addition to crowning the world champions, these competitions will award world titles in the junior and Paratriathlon categories. The dates will be confirmed in due course. The 2015 edition will be held in Chicago (United States of America) from 15 to 20 September. Info at www.triathlon.org
NATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEES
From 18 to 20 December, the NOC of Bahrain hosted the 56th Congress of the International Council for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sports and Dance (ICHPER-SD) on the theme of ‘Towards building a new sport system’. More than 250 participants were expected to attend this Congress, which was organised by the NOC in cooperation with the ICHPER-SD and the University of Bahrain. The opening ceremony was held under the patronage of Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports and NOC President. Info at www.boc.bh
Martine Grael, Arthur Zanetti and Kahena Kunze. © Gaspar Nóbrega/Inovafoto/COB
Gymnast Arthur Zanetti and female sailors Martine Grael and Kahena Kunze have been voted the best Brazilian Olympic athletes of 2014. The announcement was made at an awards ceremony organised by the Brazilian NOC in Rio de Janeiro on 16 December. The first ever 'Athlete of the Fans' trophy went to gymnast Flávia Saraiva, who was chosen by the public after a vote on Facebook and Twitter. The best athlete of 2014 in each of the 43 sports also received a trophy, as did the medallists from the Summer Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing. Info at www.cob.org.br
© Dejana Sadzak / NOC Bosnia and Herzegovina
The NOC of Bosnia and Herzegovina has awarded the 2014 IOC Sport and Art Trophy to Ismar Mujezinović (left in photo). Mujezinović created the posters for the 1984 Olympic Winter Games in Sarajevo and was therefore honoured 30 years after his Olympic contribution. The trophy was presented to him by NOC Vice-President Izet Radjo (right in photo) at a ceremony held on 9 December, during which awards were also presented to the best athletes of the year. The Athlete of the Year award was presented to young judoka Larisa Cerić, European Championship silver medallist.

At the Colombian Olympic Sports Gala, the best athletes of the year were honoured in a ceremony organised by the Colombian NOC with the support of Coldeportes. More than 300 guests were in attendance, including the NOC President, Baltazar Medina, and over 100 athletes. The Altius prizes and other NOC awards were presented at the ceremony. A full list of prize-winners can be found at www.coc.org.co.
Mireia Belmonte and Javier Fernández with Alejandro Blanco. © Spanish NOC
In Madrid on 16 December, the 9th Annual Gala of the Spanish NOC paid tribute to several athletes and personalities from the world of sport. The NOC Olympic Order, for example, was awarded to a number of sports federation presidents. The NOC Athlete of the Year award was presented jointly to swimmer Mireia Belmonte and skater Javier Fernández by the NOC President, Alejandro Blanco. Artist María Ángeles Uceda received the 2014 IOC Sport and Art Trophy in recognition of her important contribution to sport through her various works. NOC President Alejandro Blanco and IOC Executive Board member Juan Antonio Samaranch presented the trophy. Detailed info on the prize-winners at this 9th Gala is available at www.coe.es
The NOC of Guatemala has announced that the 26th edition of the traditional Christmas race for Guatemalan sports journalists will take place on 21 December. Around 2,000 participants are expected. Prior to the race, the Guatemalan Sports Journalists’ Association will hold its annual gala, at which the best athletes of the year will be honoured. Info at www.cog.org.gt
© Serbian NOC
The Serbian NOC has organised the 21st annual award ceremony for the most successful athletes, coach and teams of the year (photo above). Around 400 guests attended the ceremony on 9 December, including the President of the Republic of Serbia, Tomislav Nikolić, the Minister of Sport and numerous Olympians. The 2014 IOC Sport and Art Trophy was presented to Dragan Bjelogrlić, director of the films “Montevideo, God Bless You” and “Montevideo, see you!” Also an actor, screenwriter and producer, Bjelogrlić produced films and TV series on the Yugoslavian team’s participation in the first football World Cup in Uruguay in 1930. The trophy was presented to him by NOC President Vlade Divac. Info at www.oks.org.rs
Bogdan Gabrovec is the new President of the Slovenian NOC. The 61-year-old is a former President of Slovenian Judo Federation and a former NOC Vice-President. He was also the Slovenian Olympic team’s chef de mission at the London 2012 Olympic Games, when judoka Urška Žolnir won the first gold medal ever won by a Slovenian woman. Meanwhile, the NOC also celebrated the achievements of its former President, Janez Kocijančič, during his 23-year tenure by granting him the title of President Emeritus. Info at www.olympic.si
The Venezuelan NOC informs us that the second symposium for American NOCs on the theme of best practices was held on 11 December. Organised in Miami (United States of America), this symposium was attended by representatives of the 41 member NOCs of the Pan-American Sports Organisation (PASO). The topics discussed include the challenges facing NOCs, strategies for the allocation of resources for elite sport, the importance of the image of NOCs and the media, and the future development of sport for the American NOCs.
ORGANISING COMMITTEES FOR THE OLYMPIC GAMES
RIO 2016
© Rio 2016
The mascots for the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games have been named Vinicius and Tom after a public vote. The names, which honour Bossa Nova musicians Vinicius de Moraes and Tom Jobim, won 44% of the valid votes, with more than 320,000 received during the three-week poll. The mascots, which were unveiled on 23 November, are inspired by the various animals and plants found in Brazil. Info at www.rio2016.com
RECOGNISED ORGANISATIONS
The 4th CSIT (International Workers and Amateurs in Sports Confederation) World Sports Games will be held from 7 to 14 June 2015 in Lignano Sabbiadoro (Italy). As well as organising competitions in 54 different sports and sports activities for several thousand participants, the CSIT and AICS, the Italian CSIT member organisation, will hold a big festival at which participants will be able to share information and experiences and build new friendships. Info at www.csit.tv and www.wsg2015.com
NEXT EDITION
Due to the end-of-year festivities, a special edition of Olympic Highlights will be published on 5 January 2015. We would like to take this opportunity to wish you all the very best for the festive season.

Over 240,000 volunteer applications for Rio 2016

KALYAN KUMAR MAHATA The true appellation of Apu. A Creative Commons license.

©Rio 2016/Alex Ferro

19/12/2014

The recruitment of the 70,000 volunteers required to stage a successful Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 is well under way. More than 240,000 applicants are now taking part in the first phase of the selection process, which includes an online exercise and language assessment. Interviews with successful candidates will then begin next year.

“The online exercise is a way to engage the candidates and help them understand what it would be like to work at the Rio 2016 Games,” said Flavia Fontes, manager of the Rio 2016 volunteer programme. “It’s a fun way for them to learn about the Games, as well as allowing us to get to know them better.”
People from all over the world applied to become a volunteer at Rio 2016, the first Olympic Games to be hosted in South America. Brazilians accounted for 60 per cent of the 242,757 applicants, with the remainder coming from a further 191 countries. The USA, Russia, China and Great Britain – all of whom have hosted their own Games in recent times – recorded the most interest, which is a reflection of the positive experiences that volunteers have had in the past.
The broad mix of applicants will help ensure Rio 2016 is a truly international event, said Fontes, who added: “We were very happy with the results. The number of applicants demonstrated the desire of people to participate in the Games and showed that the volunteer spirit is alive in Brazil. The quantity of different nationalities, age groups and backgrounds is making the diversity we are seeking a reality. The Games are for everyone and the volunteers programme already shows this.”
Successful applicants will benefit from the opportunity to learn new skills, with a one-year online English course and training specific to their role all offered as standard. 

KALYAN KUMAR MAHATA The true appellation of Apu. A Creative Commons license.

IOC awards Rio 2016 broadcast rights in Cuba

19/12/2014

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) today announced that the Instituto Cubano de Radio y Televisión (ICRT) has been awarded the exclusive broadcast rights in Cuba for the Games of the XXXI Olympiad in Rio in 2016.

IOC President Thomas Bach said: “Rio 2016 will be the first time the Olympic Games have been held in South America, and ICRT will work with us once again to bring the sporting action to fans in Cuba. This agreement also means that the IOC has now completed all its broadcast agreements for Rio 2016.”
Rafael Yaech, from ICRT, said: "The broadcast of the Olympic Games in Cuba is a celebration for our hard working people and our quality of life. We are pleased with this agreement with the International Olympic Commitee, with the assurance that we will continue to work together in favour of sports."
IOC member Dr Gerardo Werthein, a member of the IOC’s TV Rights and New Media Commission, said: “ICRT has been an excellent partner to the Olympic Movement for many years in promoting the Olympic Games and the values of the Olympic Movement in Cuba, and we look forward to continuing our work with them in Rio.”
ICRT, Cuba’s state broadcaster, has acquired the rights across all broadcast platforms, including free-to-air television, subscription television, internet and mobile phone in all languages.

###

KALYAN KUMAR MAHATA The true appellation of Apu. A Creative Commons license.

Olympic fans name Rio 2016 mascots

16/12/2014

The mascots for the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games have been named Vinicius and Tom respectively, following a public vote.

The names, which honour Bossa Nova musicians Vinicius de Moraes and Tom Jobim, won 44% of the valid votes, with more than 320,000 votes received during the three-week poll. The other choices were Oba and Eba and Tiba Tuque and Esquindim.
"The names of Vinicius and Tom are recognised worldwide as a synonym for excellence, which is in line with what we want to achieve with the Rio 2016 Games,” said Carlos Arthur Nuzman, President of the Rio 2016 Organising Committee.
The mascots, which were unveiled on 23 November, are inspired by the various animals and plants found in Brazil and will play a key role in engaging the public – and especially young people – in the build-up to the 2016 Olympic Games.
“In addition to representing the Brazilian fauna and flora, our mascots also connect to the best of our music,” added Nuzman. “We are certain that they will be an inspiration to the youth.”
Vinicius de Moraes and Tom Jobim were two of the best-known pioneers of the bossa nova genre of music – a fusion of samba and jazz – that developed in Brazil in the 1950s and 1960s. The duo also wrote The Girl from Ipanema – one of the most played songs in the world.
“The choice of the names Vinicius and Tom adds even more ‘Brazilianness’ to our mascots, which are ambassadors of the Games,” added Beth Lula, Brand Director of Rio 2016. “Their role is to share the messages of the event and the values of the Olympic and Paralympic movements to various audiences, especially children and youth.”

Share

The Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony 2014

The Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony 2014

KALYAN KUMAR MAHATAThe true appellation of Apu. A Creative Commons license.

Olympic Agenda 2020 – From Decision to Implementation

KALYAN KUMAR MAHATA The true appellation of Apu. A Creative Commons license.

12/12/2014

Following the unanimous approval of the 40 recommendations that make up Olympic Agenda 2020 by the IOC Session on 8 and 9 December, the focus has now turned from decision to implementation.  

On Thursday 11 December, IOC President Thomas Bach chaired meetings at the IOC headquarters in Lausanne to begin the implementation of a number of the recommendations, including on the bid process for the Olympic Games (Recommendation 1) and on the launch of an Olympic Channel (Recommendation 19).  
The IOC President said: “Following the success of the IOC Session in Monaco and the unanimous endorsement of my fellow IOC members for the Olympic Agenda 2020 recommendations, it is critical that we utilise the momentum and energy we have created throughout the Olympic Movement and start implementing straight away.” 
Olympic Agenda 2020 recommendations will be fully applied in the bid process for the Olympic Games 2024, which opens on 15 January 2015. A new invitation phase will be offered to cities interested in hosting the Games, so that they can discuss their initial interest with the IOC. The Olympic Winter Games 2022 bid process is already underway, but elements of Olympic Agenda 2020 will be implemented where possible, especially with regard to the IOC assisting bid cities in reducing costs and ensuring a sustainable legacy. 
One of those who took part in the year-long consultation process, which involved key stakeholders as well as those from the world of business and NGOs, was Eric Schmidt, Executive Chairman of Google.  He took part in the Olympic Agenda 2020 Working Group on “Olympism in Action”. He said: “I’m happy to have participated, and very much looking forward to seeing the IOC put its new initiatives into action. It’s an exciting time for technology and the Olympic Movement. I was pleased to see the IOC, a more than 100-year-old organisation, take the initiative and open itself to fresh ideas as it looked ahead to the year 2020.” 
Following a meeting on the Olympic Channel launch, the IOC President reiterated the importance of the Channel in providing a platform for the promotion of Olympic sports, athletes and the Olympic values beyond the period of the Games: “Interest in the Olympic Games is higher now than ever, and recent editions have enjoyed record broadcast audiences around the world. The idea of the Channel is to harness this interest and extend it beyond the Games, in a way that will engage audiences, especially young audiences, in the power of what sport can do.” 
Dick Ebersol, the renowned American Olympic television executive producer for twenty years and former Chairman of NBC Sports, attended the Olympic Channel meeting as a special adviser. After the meeting, he said: “More than 20 years ago in conversations with the then IOC leadership, we talked about a mutual dream of creating a year-round Olympic channel. I wholeheartedly applaud President Bach’s vision and successful initiative this week in bringing it to fruition. The media landscape has changed enormously in recent years, in particular with the uptake of digital media. There is much more opportunity today to reach and connect with audiences everywhere on earth, in particular young people. I jumped at this opportunity to be involved on one condition…that my role be unpaid, as I want to repay in some small way the joy the Olympics have given me since childhood.” 
A feasibility study on launching an Olympic Channel was conducted prior to the Olympic Agenda 2020 vote, and following unanimous approval by the IOC Session, on 8 December, for the launch of the Olympic Channel, work has now begun on its implementation. The Channel, produced by OBS, will initially be a worldwide digital offering; however as linear (traditional TV) distribution opportunities arise, these will also be assessed.