City Events postpone RIGES 2015 conference following terrorist attacks in host city Paris

RIGES 2015 has been postponed until early next year as a result of the terrorist attacks in Paris on Friday ©RIGES 2015

The International Meeting of Great Sporting Events (RIGES) has been postponed until early next year in the wake of the terrorist attacks in French capital Paris on Friday (November 13).

Due to feature speakers on various upcoming major sporting competitions including UEFA Euro 2016, the meeting was scheduled to take place at Hôtel Potocki in Paris today but organisers City Events will now hold it next spring.

The conference is usually attended by between 250 and 300 participants from International Federations, foreign delegations, companies, press and institutions and is seen as a key networking opportunity for those involved in organising sports events.

The decision has been taken by City Events, along with co-organisers Business France and GL events, to suspend the event as a mark of respect to the 129 people who lost their lives in the attacks.

“City Events, RIGES, Business France and GL events stand together in this time of grief and national unity in the aftermath of the horrifying Paris attacks,” a statement from the organisation read.

“Following the advice of the French State, and with a view to respect the pain of the victims, and their relatives, both City Events and RIGES have been obliged to postpone our international meeting to next spring.

“We have received numerous messages of support and most of you have nevertheless confirmed their participation.

“We would like to thank you for such support and commitment to defend values of peace, fraternity, and universality, inspired by sports and all major sports events in the world.”

French Sports Minister Patrick Kanner was due to deliver the opening remarks at RIGES 2015 ©Getty Images

The opening remarks were due to be delivered by French Sports Minister Patrick Kanner, who said today that there was “no way” Euro 2016 should be cancelled in France after a friendly match between the French and Germany at the Stade de France was targeted by terrorists during the attacks on the French capital.

Three suicide bombers blew up devices outside the ground, killing themselves and one other person.

One of the bombers had a ticket to the match but was prevented from entering the stadium by a security guard who found the bomb attached to his chest.

French President François Hollande was in attendance but was taken to safety after the explosions could be heard by supporters and players during the game.

This prompted calls for Euro 2016, which takes place in France next summer, to be cancelled altogether but Kanner firmly believes sport “should not be stopped by terrorism”.

UEFA confirmed the tournament would be held next year as normal in a statement yesterday.

France are due to play England in an international friendly at London’s Wembley Stadium tonight but several other sporting events were called off over the weekend including all European Rugby Champions Cup matches scheduled to take place in the country.