Denver to host first-ever Beyond Sport USA in 2011

 

Beyond Sport, the global initiative that promotes, develops and funds the use of sport to create positive social change, announced that it is to stage an annual event in the United States from 2011 with Denver named as the inaugural Host City for Beyond Sport USA.

 

Beyond Sport USA, which will sit separately from the annual Beyond Sport Summit and Awards which moves around the world, has been established to maintain the progress and connections the organisation has made within sport and development across the continent in the build-up to this year’s Beyond Sport Summit in Chicago.

 

“In keeping with the overall values of our organisation, Beyond Sport is determined to create a tangible legacy in whichever country it hosts its annual gathering,” commented Nick Keller , Founder, Beyond Sport.

 

“With this in mind, we have decided to launch Beyond Sport USA with a view to maintaining the forward momentum we have built up in this country over the last twelve months. We are delighted that Denver has agreed to act as the Host City for the inaugural Beyond Sport USA event in 2011 and thank them immensely for their belief in the importance of bringing the North American market together to drive forward sport’s role in societal change.”

 

Two-time Olympian and Multi-World Cup Gold Medallist Skier Jeremy Bloom took the baton on behalf of Denver in an Official Handover Ceremony held at the Beyond Sport Summit 2010 to mark this legacy creating announcement.

 

“We are honoured to be the Host City for Beyond Sport USA 2011,” said KieAnn Brownell, President of the Metro Denver Sports Commission. “Having this type of dialogue on how a passion for sport and social entrepreneurship can easily converge in a city like Denver will be transformational.” 

The announcement of the creation of the annual Beyond Sport USA event was made at the Beyond Sport Summit 2010 in Chicago where a number of influential global figures gathered to discuss ways to accelerate the positive impact of sport on communities including HRH Prince Faisal Al Hussein of Jordan; multi-Olympic gold medallists Ian Thorpe and Michael Johnson; US Senator and former Presidential Candidate Bill Bradley; and Care USA specialist Dr. Auma Obama.

The Summit, which included the announcement of the winners of the Beyond Sport Awards 2010 which celebrate the world’s best sport-led social innovation programs, was also attended by over 700 leaders from business, sport, social innovation, and government, with high-profile representatives from companies and organizations from around the world.