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IOC and Monash combine on Olympic Games know-how

The biggest sporting show on earth has been given a boost in organisational support in a new partnership between the International Olympic Committee and Monash University, reports DAVID BRUCE.

The knowledge gained from running an Olympic Games will now be transferred from Games to Games and shared among the world's sporting bodies in an initiative launched by the IOC earlier this year in Salt Lake City at the Winter Olympic Games.

The establishment of Olympic Games Knowledge Services (OGKS), an initiative of the IOC and Monash, signifies an unprecedented level of organisational support for host Olympic cities, cities aspiring to stage the Games and, potentially, organisers of other major international events.

IOC president Dr Jacques Rogge with Monash vice-chancellor Professor David Robinson

"The IOC has always provided significant financial support to Olympic Games organisers. Now the IOC also wants to bring greater efficiencies to bear in the organisation of the Games. OGKS was designed to help us do just that," he said. "OGKS will also help level the playing field so candidates and organisers from different parts of the world can all start with the same knowledge base."

"The IOC has always provided significant financial support to Olympic Games organisers. Now the IOC also wants to bring greater efficiencies to bear in the organisation of the Games. OGKS was designed to help us do just that," he said. "OGKS will also help level the playing field so candidates and organisers from different parts of the world can all start with the same knowledge base."

OGKS is a joint venture of the IOC and Monash Ed, a Monash University company in partnership with Cambridge Consulting and Equiset Global. It is based in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Monash University vice-chancellor Professor David Robinson said the university partnership with the IOC reflected Monash's acknowledged expertise in global educational services.

"With almost 50,000 students on campuses across four continents, Monash is well suited to providing teaching and research services to major international organisations. We are delighted that our skills have been recognised as being adaptable to such a dynamic field as the organisation of the world's most high- profile sporting event," he said.

"Monash has particular strengths in the rapidly growing field of knowledge management. Our expertise in IT systems and data management will be utilised by OGKS to gather, order and deliver the vast amounts of information that surround the organisation of an Olympic Games."

OGKS will deliver and coordinate a range of services including conferences, seminars and briefings led by OGKS staff or expert consultants; education and consulting services including a range of printed and online information; and research facilities including statistical analysis and benchmarking.

For more information on Olympic Games Knowledge Services, visit www.ogks.com

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