After an opening day focusing on the bid process itself as well as Games services and the role of the IOC Ethics Commission, today's programme covered financial, marketing and legal aspects as well as media and technology, sustainability and the Paralympics.

The seminar is being conducted by various experts from the IOC administration and specialists from former host cities, including John McLaughlin from Vancouver 2010 and Neale Coleman and Bill Morris from London 2012.

London 2012 director of culture, ceremonies and education Bill Morris has been among those explaining what it takes to host a successful Games ©Getty Images


However, as well as these briefings and workshops on the "fundamentals" of staging the Games, an IOC spokesman told insidethegames that "heavy emphasis is being placed on the fact that the organisation of the Games is very much a team effort."

This involves attention to "all levels of Government, commercial partners, public services, community groups, local populations and sports authorities involved in the successful organisation of such a complex event."

The spokesman added that "clear dialogue and engagement among all relevant parties is therefore crucial to building a cohesive and smooth-running bid campaign."

After a two day overload of information there were some indications of weariness among the fledgling bid teams, but there was only positive feedback about the merits of the event. 

The six applicant cities are beginning a process to follow in the footsteps of Tokyo in being awarded an Olympic and Paralympic Games ©Getty Images


Representatives from various bids explained how useful the information being provided was as they begin the early stages of what they will hope will be an 18 month process, which is due to end in the IOC Session in Kuala Lumpa on July 31, 2015.

Ukrainian Minister of Youth and Sport Ravil Safiullin, here representing the Lviv bid, claimed he was "happy and enthusiastic about what he had seen so far."

"I am not just speaking on behalf of Ukraine but on behalf on the other applicant cities," he told insidethegames. 

"They have shown us everything and helped us understand the capacity and the complexity of the Winter Games.

"With today being nine years before hosting the Games, it's really helpful to get all this information and understanding from the IOC, and to get their support as well.

"I think that with the support they have provided us it will be literally impossible to fail."

The final day of the seminar tomorrow is due to be devoted to individual workshops on sports, the athlete experience, Olympic Villages, the Paralympic Games, accommodation, the Olympic Games concept, media operations, technology, and marketing.

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