Combat games and .... WHERE IS SAVATE?????

In March 2009, SportAccord signed an agreement with the city of Beijing, P. R. China, to organise the first SportAccord Combat Games. Scheduled from 28 August 28 to 4 September 2010, the competition will showcase 13 Martial Arts and Combat sports, both Olympic and non-Olympic. The event will also include a cultural program that will reflect the social and cultural values of these sports and Combat Games as a whole. Organisation: SportAccord SportAccord will supervise the Combat Games organisation by providing guidelines, coordination and communications to all the International Federations involved, the Beijing organisers, and other stakeholders. Working hand-in-hand with the Beijing local organisers, SportAccord will provide guidelines in the various fields of event operations, such as sports, marketing and promotion, anti-doping, event visual identity and cultural programmes. Sports Commissions The Sports Commission is composed of 13 Technical Delegates. Appointed by their IFs, the Technical Delegates manage the organisation of their respective sports. The Sports Commission is set up to oversee the event preparation and sports operations. It works in cooperation with the local Organising Committee. Local Organising Committee The local Organising Committee is a temporary organisation committed to making the SportAccord Combat Games a successful and quality sport event. The Beijing Preparatory Committee, soon to become the Beijing Organising Committee for the 2010 SportAccord Combat Games, has been running since May 2009. Its Departments are being set up to undertake the Combat Games preparation and operations. Sports: 13 Sports will be showcased in the Combat Games. All 13 sports are officially recognised by SportAccord. They enjoy a long history, established competition rules, approved safety measures, wide practice and large fan base. Aikido Aikido is a Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as 'the Way of unifying life energy' or as 'the Way of harmonious spirit.' Ueshiba's goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to defend themselves while also protecting their attacker from injury. Aikido is performed by blending with the motion of the attacker and redirecting the force of the attack rather than opposing it head-on. This requires very little physical energy, as the aikidōka 'leads' the attacker's momentum using entering and turning movements. The techniques are completed with various throws or joint locks. Aikido can be categorized under the general umbrella of grappling arts. Boxing Boxing is a combat sport played by two opponents of a similar build and ability who fight against each other using their fists which are covered by gloves. Boxing is supervised by a referee and is broken down into rounds. Victory is achieved if the opponent is knocked down and unable to get up before the referee counts to ten seconds, this is known as a Knockout. If the fight is not stopped before an agreed number of rounds, a winner is determined either by the referee's decision or by judges' scorecards. There are numerous variations and styles of boxing practiced around the world each having rules which are slightly different. Judo Judo meaning 'gentle way” is a modern combat sport that originated in Japan. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to throw one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent or force an opponent to submit by joint locking the elbow or by applying a choke. Ju-Jitsu Ju-Jitsu is a generic term for an almost indefinable system of fighting, primarily unarmed, but in some instance using weapons. Ju-Jitsu Techniques are including of punching, kicking, striking, throwing, holding, locking, choking and tying as well as the use of certain weapons. Ju-Jitsu does not rely on brute strength but upon skill and finesse. It is the use of minimum effort to achieve maximum effect. Applying this principle enables anyone, regardless of physique or stature, to control and release their energy to its greatest potential. Karate Karate or karate-do is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands from indigenous fighting methods and Chinese kenp. It is primarily a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands and ridge-hands. Grappling, locks, restraints, throws, and vital point strikes are taught in some styles. Kendo Kendo, meaning 'Way of the Sword', is a modern Japanese martial art of sword-fighting based on traditional Japanese swordsmanship, or Kenjutsu. Kendo is a physically and mentally challenging activity that combines strong martial arts values with sport-like physical elements. Kendōka use a shout, or kiai, to express their fighting spirit when striking. Additionally, kendōka execute fumikomi-ashi, an action similar to a stamp of the front foot, when making a strike. Kickboxing Kickboxing refers to the sport of using martial-arts-style kicks and boxing-style punches to defeat an opponent in a similar way to that of standard boxing. It is a full-contact sport. Male boxers are bare-chested wearing shorts and protective gear including: mouth-guard, hand-wraps, boxing gloves, groin-guard, shin-pads, kick-boots, and optional protective helmet. Kickboxing is often confused with Muaythai, also known as Thai Boxing. The two sports are similar, however, in Thai Boxing, kicks below the belt are allowed, as are strikes with knees and elbows whereas they are forbidden in kickboxing. Muaythai Muaythai or Thai Boxing is a form of hard martial art. Today Muaythai uses kicks and punches in a ring with gloves similar to those used in western boxing. Muaythai is referred to as 'The Art of the Eight Limbs', as the hands; shins, elbows, and knees are all used extensively. Also the opponent can strike at eight points of contact. Muay Thai is a variation of Muay Boran which translates to 'Ancient Boxing', Its form is efficient as it maximizes the amount of damage that each blow can inflict. Sambo Sambo is a relatively modern martial art, combat sport and self-defense system developed in the Soviet Union. The word Sambo is an acronym meaning 'self-defense without weapons' in Russian. Sambo has its roots in Japanese judo and traditional folk styles of wrestling such as Armenian Koch, Georgian Chidaoba, Moldovan Trîntǎ, Tatar Köräş, Uzbek Kurash, Mongolian Khapsagay and Azerbaijani Gulesh. Sumo Sumo wrestling is a contact sport that originated in Japan, this the only country where it is practice professionally, it is veiwed as a modern martial art. The wrestlers attempt to force another wrestler out of a circular ring (dohyo) or to touch the ground with any part of the body other than the sole of the feet. The wrestlers engage in tradional rituals which include, such as the use of salt for purification and the wrestler mostly live in communal settings known in Japanesse as the Heya where all aspect of there daily live from meals to dressing are dictated by strict tradition. Taekwondo Taekwondo is a Korean martial art. Taekwondo is loosely translated as 'the way of the foot and fist' but some translate it as, 'the art of kicking and punching,' Taekwondo's popularity is a result of evolution of martial arts. It combines combat techniques, self-defence, sport, exercise, meditation and philosophy. Modern Taekwondo tends to emphasize control and self-defence. The art in general emphasizes kicks thrown from a mobile stance, employing the leg's greater reach and power (compared to the arm). Taekwondo training generally includes a system of blocks, kicks, punches, and open-handed strikes and may also include various take-downs or sweeps, throws, and joint locks. Wrestling Wrestling is the act of physical interaction using strength between two people. Each person attempts to gain an advantage over, or control of, the other. Physical techniques used in wrestling are clinching, holding and locking. Wrestlers try and Avoid techniques likely to cause injury. Many styles of wrestling are known all over the world and have long histories. Wrestling has been made into various forms used for both sport and entertainment purposes. Wushu Wushu, also known as modern wushu or contemporary wushu, can be classed as an exhibition and a full-contact sport. Modern wushu is composed of two disciplines: taolu and sanda. Taolu is a combination of gymnastics and martial arts. Competitors are judged and given points on their movements which include stances, kicks, punches, balances, jumps, sweeps and throws. Competitive forms have time limits that can range from 1 minute, 20 seconds for the some external styles to over five minutes for internal styles. Modern wushu competitors are increasingly training in aerial techniques such as 540 and 720 degree jumps and kicks to add more difficulty and style to their forms. Sanda is a modern fighting method and sport much like kickboxing or Muay Thai, but includes many more grappling techniques. Athletes Each sport will have 80 top athletes competing in the 2010 SportAccord Combat Games. These athletes will go through the qualification system set up by their respective International Federation. It is expected that the world best martial arts and combat sports athletes will qualify for the Combat Games. Both male and female athletes will take part. For those sports requiring weigh-in, different weight categories will be included. Accommodation For the 2010 SportAccord Combat Games, Beijing has provided a list of hotels. All of them satisfy the SportAccord event organisation requirements. In addition, the proposed hotels are relatively close to the competition venues. The final selection of the headquarter hotel, and the athletes and officials’ hotels will be carried out shortly. VISA Depending on the participant’s nationality, a visa may be required to travel to China. SportAccord and the Beijing Organisers will facilitate visa applications for participants of the 2010 SportAccord Combat Games. Venues Three Indoor competition venues are required for the SportAccord Combat Games with minimum 3000 seats for each venue. One training venue is necessary. These venues are close to each other and from the participants’ hotels. For the 2010 SportAccord Combat Games, Beijing owns many competition venues with complete facilities, equipment and high standard conditions that fully meet the requirements for hosting international sports events. In order to successfully host the 2010 SportAccord Combat Games, five competition and training venues are being considered, four of which hosted Olympic events during the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008. The considered venues are as follows: National Indoor Stadium Place: Olympic Park Type of Venue: newly constructed, it hosted the Gymnastic competitions during the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008 Floor Space: 80,890 square meters Fixed seats: 18,000 University of Science & Technology Beijing Gymnasium Place: University of Science & Technology Beijing Type of Venue: newly renovated, it hosted Judo and Taekwondo competitions during the Beijing Olympic Games Floor Space: 24,662 square meters Fixed seats: 4,000 Chinese Agricultural University Gymnasium Place: China Agricultural University Type of Venue: newly constructed, it hosted the Wrestling competitions during the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008 Floor Space: 23,950 square meters Fixed seats: 6,000 Beijing Aeronautics & Astronautics University Gymnasium Place: Beijing Aeronautics & Astronautics University Type of Venue: renovated competition venue, it hosted the Weightlifting competitions during the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008 Floor Space: 21,000 square meters Fixed seats: 3,400 Beijing Collegiate Gymnasium Place: Capital Institute of Physical Education Type of Venue: renovated competition venue Floor Space: 18,000 square meters Fixed seats: 4,200 Spectators BEIJING Since hosting the Olympic Games in 2008, Beijing has become a centre of the sport world and it now wishes to contribute to the growth of the SportAccord Combat Games. More than 500,000 people practise martial arts sports in Beijing, in particular wushu, which is very popular all over China. Beijing is a gateway to both Chinese traditions and to China’s future. Capital city during the Liao, Jin, Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties, Beijing has long been the political, cultural, and diplomatic centre of China. It is now an international metropolis, home to 11 million people. Alongside 7300 cultural and historic sites and more than 200 scenic spots - including the world's largest palace, the Forbidden City, as well as the Great Wall, Summer Palace, and Temple of Heaven - Beijing boasts an impressive modern skyline, a reflection of its rapid economic development. The recently expanded Beijing Capital International Airport is China's largest and most advanced airport. August and September mark the end of summer and the beginning of autumn in Beijing, with temperatures ranging from 18 to 30 degrees Celsius. This is the best season to visit, with clear, blue skies allowing visitors to fully witness the charm and vastness of the city. In addition to the exciting competitions of the2010 SportAccord Combat Games, there will be various cultural and social activities organised along side. During the Combat Games in Beijing, the spectators have the opportunity to benefit from these side events and enjoy the rich culture China has to offer to everybody on spot. Cultural programme During the eight days of competition, the 2010 SportAccord Combat Games will also include a cultural programme. Indeed, martial arts and combat sports have rich cultural heritages and convey social and educational values. The Combat Games will then serve as a great opportunity to enable deeper understanding of the sports by the public. In the coming months, the SportAccord team in Lausanne will also work with Federations to discuss plans for multi-sports events in the mould of the Combat Games. This is part of the vision of SportAccord President Hein Verbruggen, to unite its Members and to support resources from sport, going back to sport. It is definitely something SportAccord wants to develop in the future.