Outstanding individuals, companies, cities and facilities in the highly competitive world of sports event management were recognised by their peers and the wider world of sport at the third SportBusiness Sports Event Management Awards at Lord's Cricket ground in London.
		Senior International Olympic Committee (IOC) official Gilbert Felli, the city of Melbourne and the agencies Fast Track and Nova International Ltd were among the big winners of the 2009 SportBusiness Sports Event Management Awards.   The Awards recognise the innovation and skills of the people and organisations that make sports events happen.
'Congratulations to each and every one of the winners and our thanks to those who entered and did not make the short-list or win an award,” said organiser Nigel Rushman. “The Awards are keenly contested and the standard of entry has again been high. The winners have certainly earned the right to be known as the best of the best.” Over 150 entries were received and over 200 guests attended the Ceremony. A panel of distinguished international judges, including newly elected IOC Executive Committee member Sir Craig Reedie, had their work cut out in deliberating the short listed entries, before awarding Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards in each category. The Outstanding Contribution Award went to IOC Executive Director, Olympic Games, Gilbert Felli for his work within the Olympic movement. His role in overseeing one of the most sprawling, complex events in sports is immense, from, this year, producing the technical evaluation of the four 2016 candidate cities to overseeing progress on the first Youth Olympic Games. Sir Craig Reedie, collecting the Award on Felli’s behalf said: “Gilbert Felli’s work on the Summer Games, the Winter Games and now the Youth Games is just incredible. He is Mr Olympic Games.”
The full list of winners for 2009 "the role of honour" is available on this website under the Winners 2009 menu or click here.
The 2010 Awards Dinner and Ceremony will take place on Wednesday 3rd November in London, put the date in your diary and start thinking about your entry for 2010 today. The photo gallery for 2009 will be available soon.  For further information about the SportBusiness Sports Event Management Awards 2009 or 2010 please contact Nicola Fleming on: Telephone: +44 (0)1264 852 010 E-mail: nicola@rushmans.com