KEEP UP WITH THE INLINE SPEED SKATING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 

The capital of Tolima is ready. The speed skating world championships will return after a two-year hiatus, and Colombia, not only as one of the best delegations in the world, but also as the host in this edition, has demonstrated that it has top organization and the same excellence as the best sporting events in the world, in a city dedicated to sports and in a country that knows skating like no other.

Four days from the beginning of competitions, the president of the Colombian Rollerskate Federation, José Acevedo, accompanied by IMDRI manager, Alejandro Ortiz, revealed part of the fundamental details of the organization in terms of budgets and logistics, local and national resources, and requirements of the World Skate, the biggest entity of worldwide skating, in a press conference with Ibague media present.

They highlighted the importance of hosting this event, the progress it brings to Ibagué, and especially, the development in sports for future talents of skating and other disciplines, “Sports must unite society around similar purposes. The mental and physical health of our children is our motivation. They are the future, “said José Acevedo, referring not only to the efforts made to have a high-quality venue but to every piece of work put into making the World Championship a reality.

Of a contest like this that, far from generating controversy or raising political flags, should serve to unite and even more in a department with so much talent to explore, “This event is historic, not only for the country but for Ibagué and Tolima, “he said.

Several factors and details are essential when making balances, the improvement and adaptation of the track, accommodation, food, transport and training of the delegations, television production and biosafety, essential in any massive event after the pandemic by COVID-19 in 2020, it makes it necessary to manage a big amount of resources that, as Acevedo said, “are not made with 100 million pesos.”

The general distribution of the resources includes expenses for biosecurity that include 6,000 tests to detect COVID-19, accommodation in five official hotels, food, plane tickets for international judges and world delegates including the World Skate family, more than 14 days of moving around delegations and organization staff, television production expenses for the official broadcast in English and Spanish with panels of specialized journalists for each of them, adaptation of the stage that will have additional stands for 2,500 people, and a logistics operation almost as important as the structure of the organization.

All of this is achieved with the resources of the Colombian Skating Federation, added to the support of the Ministry of Sports, the Government of Tolima and the Mayor’s Office of Ibagué, resources used to ensure the development and success of the first world championship in any discipline hosted in the musical capital.

Also, the benefit that the skating world championship brings to the city is important considering the economic crisis in the country, which worsened in the last year and now, in the final months of 2021, has a great opportunity to recover.  Alejandro Ortiz, director of IMDRI, assured that the impact on the city exceeds any calculation. “From informal vendors to large hotel chains, more than 2,500 people revolve around our skating world championship,” he pointed out.

In terms of employment, the world championships have caused hotels to increase their payroll in waitresses, kitchen assistants, waiters, security, and logistics to serve a large number of visitors. In addition, about 40 companions for the delegations were hired to help the sports teams.

In terms of transportation, more than 35 buses and vans will be used, as well as cars at the organization service all with their drivers, a revitalization of the transport sector. “In quick projections, this event generates in Ibagué about 300 direct jobs and more than 400 indirectly, families that will have a resource to alleviate these days of crisis,” Acevedo commented.

There are hundreds of positive details that make this organization equal to the best in the world, even more so in a country like Colombia. The economy gets better, sports grow and society improves. These are enough reasons to continue supporting projects and leaders who work to improve the conditions not only of sports but the population in general.