Smart Cities Summit billed as "unique opportunity" to gain bidding experience declared open

Los Angeles official David Simon opened today's Smart Cities & Sport Conference ©ITG

David Simon, the Los Angeles 1984 Organising Committee vice-president who is now a leading figure spearheading the city's 2024 bid, opened the second edition of the Smart Cities & Sport Summit here this evening, with almost 50 delegations present from around the world.

The annual event, held for the first time last year, is billed as a "unique opportunity" for prospective bid cities to get new ideas from their peers, but also to network with International Federations.

As well as numerous representatives from past and future Olympic hosts, figures are here from Los Angeles, Paris and Rome, three of the five candidates in the race for the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics.

Cities mooting possible future Winter Olympic bids, including Denver and Lake Placid in the United States, are also present.

They will be joined by a large contingent from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), including director general Christophe De Kepper, as well as IFs responsible for aquatics, archery, athletics, baseball and softball, bowling, cycling, gymnastics, sport climbing and wrestling.

The event is organised by the World Union of Olympic Cities, whose President, Lausanne Mayor Daniel Brélaz, was also present this evening.

Lausanne Mayor Daniel Brélaz will give a welcome address tomorrow ©Lausanne Cities

But it was left to the body's vice-president Simon to get proceedings underway, with the official a key figure in Los Angeles' past and present Olympic history who remains President of the Southern California Committee for the Olympic Games.

In a short address, he thanked everyone for attending and emphasised how the event is already growing in scale and prestige since its debut 11 months ago.

After a welcome by Brélaz, action will begin tomorrow with a session on "Sport and place branding" in which Saeed Mohamed Hareb, secretary general of the Dubai Sports Council, will be among the speakers.

Senior Olympic Games advisor and former executive director, Gilbert Felli, will then be among those debating "Sports facility management - finding the best model".

A final session will then take place on "Sport to promote social inclusion and diversity" before a Gala Dinner in the evening.