GBWR are European champions for a seventh time after withstanding a huge challenge from Denmark to win 55-45 in the gold medal match of the IWRF Wheelchair Rugby European Championship in Vejle, Denmark on Sunday.

For the last week, Denmark has played host of the IWRF Wheelchair Rugby European Championship in Vejle, the Capital of ParaSport. In a packed venue, the spectators witnessed world-class matches throughout the week peaking today with an exiting final featuring Great Britain and Denmark.

Great Britain were comfortable 63-45 winners over Denmark in the final pool match on Friday, but it was a strong response from the home side in the final today.

Denmark’s Kristian Bak Eriksen admitted it was tough but said the side proved it could play up to the level of Great Britain.

– I’m a bit annoyed that we couldn’t hang on for a bit longer, he said. – But it was an incredibly cool feeling playing here, and I wish we could have rewarded the audience with a win.

France came away with the bronze medal in a thrilling 45-43 triumph against Sweden in overtime.

IWRF president Richard Allcroft labelled it the best European Championship yet.

– The competitions have been fantastic, the venue and the hotel has worked perfectly and the organising committee have done a fantastic job together with strong, genuine partners, who made this a success, Allcroft said. – The Municipality of Vejle are so dedicated about parasport and have been dressing the city in wheelchair rugby, and the competitions have been fantastic with an amazing crowd for almost every game. – Many would have expected Great Britain and France in the final. Yesterday’s game (the semi-final) was in many ways the final, particularly for Denmark, for the first time qualifying to a Paralympics in wheelchair rugby, which must be huge for the team.

Allcroft is hopeful of bringing wheelchair rugby back to the city of Vejle in the not too distant future.

Parasport Denmark President John Petersson echoed those sentiments and paid tribute to all involved in making the event possible.

– Hosting the IWRF Wheelchair Rugby European Championship has been a great experience for Parasport Denmark, Petersson said. – Together with our great partners, the municipality of Vejle and Sport Event Denmark, and with support from the IWRF, we have done everything in our power make this event the best championship to date and to clearly demonstrate our passion for the sport of wheelchair rugby.

Sport Event Denmark partnered the event, and CEO, Lars Lundov agreed with IWRF, the municipality of Vejle and Parasport Denmark.

– It has been a memorable IWRF Wheelchair Rugby European Championship with great matches and excellent spectator support at the venue and online. This is the fourth time, Denmark has hosted a wheelchair rugby championship, and it has been a pleasant experience with Denmark in the final and a qualification for the Paralympics, he said.

Denmark has a reputation of being a great cycling nation and destination. The latest 2019 UCI Cyclo-Cross World Championships add to this brand. A newly released impact analysis shows that Bogense, Fyn and Denmark benefitted strongly from the event. The investment in the Championships brought thousands of visitors to Bogense, alongside competitors from 24 nations, media and officials, while showcasing both Bogense and Denmark to an international audience.

In addition to providing one of the sport’s great spectacles, the 2019 UCI Cyclo-Cross World Championships drove economic and broader impacts within the island of Fyn and Denmark. The analysis made by Ernst & Young focuses on the following aspects:

Visitors to Bogense
Media and teams
The economic contribution of the UCI Cyclo-Cross World Championships
Event engagement

In total, visiting spectators to Bogense spent €2.7m during their stay, and the event had a positive impact on encouraging future visitors to Bogense and the surrounding region Fyn, with 83% of visitors from areas of Denmark outside of Bogense suggesting they would be likely or very likely to return for a holiday.
Altogether Ernst & Young calculated that the Championships will add a value of €3,6m to the regional economy.

– We got very nice figures on the event’s impact and together with Nordfyns Erhverv og Turisme, Sport Event Denmark and the Danish Cycling Federation we are pleased to see that the entire island of Fyn benefited from the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships. The vast majority of the tourism economy is generated by spectators, and the daily consumption was relatively high because most of them stayed in one of our hotels or holiday apartments, says Jakob Staun, head of events at Destination Fyn, a cluster organisation that brings together more than 180 companies, organisations and institutions working within tourism on the island.

In addition to the hardcore economic impact, Denmark, Fyn and Bogense got huge visibility internationally through media coverage. 296 media staff covered the UCI Cyclo-Cross World Championships. According to Nielsen Sports, TV was broadcasted to 51 million viewers in 76 countries. Moreover, the event generated high activity on social media like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

– The Championships promoted Cyclo-cross within Denmark in a good manner. From 2016 to 2018, there has been a 35% increase in the number of licenses, so it is quite clear that the significant and positive attention has left its mark. There is no doubt that in the coming years we will harvest from the world-class event staged in Denmark. It is an event that we not only have to be proud of as a host nation, but which we must continue to use actively within Danish cycling, says Henrik Jess Jensen, chairman of the Danish Cycling Federation.

UCI President David Lappartient stated: “In line with cycling’s Agenda 2022, legacy is a cornerstone of our strategy towards event’s organisers. Findings from the EY survey following the staging of the 2019 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships are a clear confirmation that world-class events provide significant and long-lasting return on investment not only for the local business community but also for the growth of our disciplines and the well-being of populations through the practice of the bicycle. I would like to thank the Danish Cycling Federation and all parties involved in the successful delivery of these landmark Championships.”

175,000 spectators at the IHF Men’s World Handball Championship 2019 contributed financially to the Danish host cities Herning and Copenhagen according to an impact analysis, which has just been released.

An impact analysis made by Epinion and Visit Denmark for the Men’s World Handball Championship 2019 shows that the event generated an impressive economic surplus for Denmark and the two host cities Copenhagen and Herning. The championship secured a tourism turnover of 37 million Euro. International handball fans alone had a tourism turnover of 20 million Euro.

”The World Championship gave us an outstanding opportunity to brand handball, the host cities and Denmark as a whole. The way both the sport and community benefits from the event is truly unique and all the volunteers made it possible to lift it up to a scale never seen before in Danish handball,” says Secretary General in the Danish Handball Association, Morten Stig Christensen.

Sport Event Denmark, which works to attract, organize, and host major, international sporting events, welcomes yet another successful championship in Denmark:
“There are many interesting points in the impact analysis on the IHF Men’s World Handball Championship 2019. Besides the tremendous national and international tourism turnover, I note, among other things, that the staging and spectator experience get top marks, which we together with Copenhagen, Herning, and the Danish Handball Federation are delighted with, says Lars Lundov, director of Sport Event Denmark.

As an ongoing partner at significant handball championships in Denmark, Sport Event Denmark can thus conclude that another major sporting event takes a top position with both the Danish fans and international spectators.

Herning and Copenhagen have hosted many major international sporting events such as the IHF Women’s World Handball Championship 2015 and the EHF’s Men’s European Championship 2015. Just last year the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship, the Sailing World Championships and the ITU Multisport Festival were staged in Denmark. In the pipeline, Denmark prepares for – among other events – the EHF Women’s European Handball Championships 2020, the UEFA EURO 2020, and the Tour de France Grand Départ 2021. All of these events generate an economic impact as well as great branding for the host cities and Denmark.

Ten thousand spectators got a firsthand experience of the world’s best runners through the craziest cross country championships ever. Blue sky and a mild breeze in the early Danish spring.
The Moesgaard Museum provided its grassy rooftop as part of an epic and challenging course at this weekend’s world championships. The event turned out to become a game changer with a festive celebration of cross country embracing both the elite and recreational runners. Massive media coverage and an once-in-a-liftetime experience for for the runners, volunteers, organizers, technicians, reporters and others who assisted.

The organizers conclude upon years of preparations that the goal of taking the event to a higher level was reached:
“The World Cross Country Championships in Aarhus proved that in Danish athletics we have something to offer to the rest of the world. By doing things our way, rather than trying to copy the biggest and best in a traditional sense, we have again demonstrated that we can stage world-class events. Yesterday was epic, not just on the course, but also everything else, from my colleagues and the many volunteers to the thousands of spectators who contributed to the party, the championships became exactly the experience we had believed in, worked on and hoped for,” says director of Danish Athletics, Jakob Larsen and continues:

“The reactions from the outside world are unambiguous: Cross country has entered a new era with Aarhus. If they are right, in a few years we may be able to look back and say that ‘it all started in Aarhus.’ I want to thank both the Municipality of Aarhus and Sport Event Denmark for their support and commitment to these World Championships. Without them, we would not have been able to pull it off. Similarly, I would like to thank Mikkeller for the collaboration. It is rare for a title partner to fit in so well with the project. Finally, without the support and massive help from the International Athletics Association, IAAF, yesterday would not have been possible. We have learned a lot from the collaboration with IAAF, which we will use in the years to come. ”

“Finally, I would like to express my unreserved respect and gratitude to both the federation’s board, my colleagues and the many volunteers who, from day 1, have believed in the project and yesterday delivered. It was a truly unique experience. Thanks for that, ” Jakob Larsen concludes.

The partners, Sport Event Denmark and the Municipality of Aarhus, are also very pleased with the Saturday’s event. Director of Sport Event Denmark, Lars Lundov says:
“The World Cross Country Championships were all we had hoped for and more. In the most beautiful sun and with the presence of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, Denmark set new standards for the cross country. It became a World Championship for both the elite, the recreational runners and the spectators. We are already talking about the evilest, most beautiful and incredible course. Some have even started to dream about the return of the cross country to the Olympic program as especially the TV production at these championships has shown the great potential of the discipline.”

”It was a huge honor to be allowed to open the World Cross Championchips, I am impressed by the well organized event, and fantastic venue, which showed Aarhus at its best, It became an event both the city and the international sports world will be proud of for many years. Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to the fantastic event and, in particular, the many volunteers, “ says the mayor of Sport, Culture and Citizens Services Rabih Azad-Ahmad.

Results:
Senior Race Men 10 km
1. Joshua Cheptegei, Uganda 31:40 min.
2. Jacob Kiplimo, Uganda 31:44
3. Geoffrey Kamworor, Kenya 31:55
Teams
1. Uganda
(18 teams)

Senior Race Women 10 km
1. Hellen Obiri, Kenya 36:14
2. Dera Didi, Ethiopia 36:16
3. Letesenbet Gidey 36:24

Teams
1. Ethiopia
(16 teams)

FACTS ON THE WORLD CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS 2019
NAME: IAAF / Mikkeller World Cross Country Championships Aarhus 2019
DATE: March 30, 2019
PLACE: Moesgaard Museum, Aarhus
ORGANIZERS: The Danish Athletics Association, Sport Event Denmark, The Municipality of Aarhus.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Aarhus2019.dk/eng

Silkeborg, the Outdoor Capital of Denmark, has been awarded the 2022 Canoe Marathon European Championships at Silkeborg Langsø (Long Lake).
Ole Tikjøb, Chairman of the Danish Canoe Federation: “I’m extremely pleased that we’ve been able to bring the Marathon European Championships to Silkeborg. Denmark, and Silkeborg in particular, has a long and proud marathon tradition. The Tour de Gudenaa – one of the oldest and longest marathons – has been centred around Silkeborg for more than 50 years, and Silkeborg has fostered some of the world’s strongest marathon paddlers. Historically, Denmark is one of the nations which has created and shaped the canoe and kayak marathon sport. The European Championships offer our skilled canoeist the exceptional opportunity of performing at home, supported by a home crowd.”
At Silkeborg Kayak Club, the mood is ecstatic after having been awarded the championships. The club has competed in the championships for many years, with national team paddlers and medals to prove it. The club’s under-18 double world marathon champion, Thorbjørn Rask, looks forward to welcoming his opponents to the championships on his home waters.
“It’ll be awesome to paddle in the European Championships on home ground. It’s a bit unreal for me to be part such a great event right here in the middle of Silkeborg. This will be huge, and it will be a true pleasure to fight for the medals here at home. I’m really looking forward to it.”
“Silkeborg is one of the leading canoe cities in Europe. We have a strong and vibrant community of clubs and societies with a host of talents and international medal winners. We have state-of-the-art facilities for international events in the area around the new water sports centre at Silkeborg Langsø, in Silkeborg city centre. And as the Outdoor Capital for all of Denmark, we have a strategy to attract international sporting events and cement that status. I am therefore extremely pleased that the result of our close collaboration with Sport Event Denmark, the Danish Canoe Federation and Silkeborg Kayak Club has resulted in Denmark hosting the European Championships. It’s a great honour for Silkeborg to host the 2022 European Championships,” says Steen Vindum, mayor of Silkeborg Municipality.
Lars Lundov, CEO of Sport Event Denmark, is also thrilled when he looks at the big picture.
“The 2022 European Championships is a continuation of the successful event strategy set out by the Danish Canoe Federation and Sport Event Denmark. The success is in part due to the fact that Silkeborg Kayak Club and Silkeborg Municipality have been strong and competent partners in the work related to the 2022 European Championships. We’ve also benefitted from our continuous collaboration with the management of the European Canoe Association. It’s a unique situation for Denmark to have the opportunity, for three consecutive years, to host some of the most significant championships in canoeing.”
Facts: In 2021, the Danish Canoe Federation will celebrate its 100th anniversary by, among other things, hosting the 2021 Canoe Sprint World Championships in Bagsværd (Zealand). It will also host the 2022 Canoe Marathon European Championships in Silkeborg, and the 2023 Canoe Marathon World Championships in the Triangle Region in Jutland.

World champions in marathon canoe 2023 will be crowned in Denmark. Today, Denmark was awarded the ICF 2023 Canoe Marathon World Championships. Denmark was up against strong competitors from Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, and China.

The Danish bid referenced a strong Viking theme. For centuries, Vikings have been the warriors of the water, crossing new frontiers and achieving greatness. In Denmark, the bravest and noble victors came from the beautiful village of Jels, and in 2023 this Viking village will inspire a new generation of champions!

By combining tradition, innovation and partnerships the 2023 ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships in Denmark will bring canoe marathon to a new level by offering a once in a lifetime integrated experience for athletes, fans and ICF family. Join the Vikings as we bring past legacies to the future!

– We are incredibly pleased that ICF 2023 Canoe Marathon World Championships is coming to Denmark. In Denmark, we have a long and proud marathon tradition, and we are one of the nations that have created and shaped the canoe marathon. It will be a celebration of that tradition. The World Championships also becomes a celebration of our talented athletes.

– The World Championships is an opportunity for the Danish Canoe Federation to show responsibility. Responsibility for developing the sport, responsibility for displaying the sport, responsibility for staging sports competitions in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner.

– When we attract the ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships to Denmark, it is a continuation of our successful event strategy. The success is due to reliable and competent partners in Sport Event Denmark, the Triangle Region and the Municipality of Vejen. We will benefit from this when we use the championships to promote the sport in the broadest possible sense in the Triangle area, says Ole Tikjøb, president, Danish Canoe Federation.

Behind the Danish bid is a strong collaboration between the Triangle Area Denmark, the Danish Canoe Federation (DKF) and Sport Event Denmark.

The Triangle Region has more events in the pipeline: In 2020, the World Urban Orienteering Championships 2020 will be staged in Kolding, Vejle, and Fredericia. In 2021, the Tour de France Grand Depart will visit the city of Vejle, while in 2022 Haderslev will host the UCI Mountainbike Marathon World Championships 2022.

The greatest cycling race in the world will meet the best cycling city in the world. Denmark and capital Copenhagen will host the Grand Départ and two more stages of the 2021 edition of the Tour de France.

Denmark has a unique cycling culture with a great part of the population riding their bikes to and from school or work every day. Cycling is a part of the Danish DNA, and Copenhagen has been named the best cycling city in the world.

Therefore, Denmark is guaranteed to deliver a truly unique setting for the start of the Tour de France in 2021.

On the 2nd, 3rd and 4th of July 2021, Denmark will host the first three stages of the Tour de France under the headline “Grand Départ Copenhagen – Denmark”.

The opening stage, the Grand Départ, will take place in the cycling-friendly capital featuring an approx. 13-kilometre time trial in central Copenhagen.

Lord Mayor of Copenhagen, Frank Jensen remarks:

“It is a tremendous honour to host the Grand Départ of the Tour de France in 2021! The best cycling city in the world welcomes the greatest cycling race in the world. The Grand Depart in 2021 will be the biggest sporting event ever held in Denmark. We look forward to celebrating together and showing the world our passion: the Tour de France and our unique bicycling culture.”

The following two stages will pass along beautiful coastlines, through historic cities and across spectacular bridges, traversing varied landscapes throughout Denmark.

The second Danish stage on 3 July will feature an approx. 190-kilometre route from Roskilde to Nyborg across the spectacular Great Belt Bridge. The third stage will be an approx. 170-kilometre route from Vejle to Sønderborg on 4 July.

The Tour de France is broadcast in 190 countries and has about 3.5 billion TV viewers during the race. Over 900,000 spectators are expected to attend the three Danish stages.

The Minister for Industry, Business and Financial Affairs, Rasmus Jarlov comments:

”I am very excited about getting the Tour de France to Denmark. This will be a huge celebration for all of Denmark and for cycling fans all over the world. And it will be a great opportunity for us to show to the world what Denmark has to offer in terms of beautiful scenery, historic sights, our unique cycling culture, our life style, smart city solutions and so much more. It is an amazing branding opportunity for Denmark and I very much look forward to July 2021.”

Denmark officially submitted its bid for a Grand Départ two and a half years ago. Along the way, both the royal family, the government, municipalities and regions, Wonderful Copenhagen, and Sport Event Denmark have been focused on getting the race to Denmark.

Race director Christian Prudhomme is excited about Denmark being elected as host for the Grand Depart 2021:

”Of course the Tour de France, with the best professional sports cyclists in the world, had to visit Denmark and Copenhagen – the best country and the city in the world for every day cycling. The Grand Départ Copenhague – Danemark 2021 is the ‘rendez-vous’ to celebrate the mutual inspiration between every cycling and professional cycling.”

PRESS RELEASE

Royal Visit at the 2019 UCI Cyclo-Cross World Championships in Bogense, Denmark

An event is only as good as its organization, and in this respect, the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships are certainly in excellent hands. The Danish Cycling Union, North Funen Business and Tourism Association, Sport Event Fyn and Sport Event Denmark vouch for an excellent event and they look forward to welcoming HRH The Crown Prince of Denmark at the 2019 UCI Cyclo-Cross World Championships.

“It will be a great pleasure to show The Crown Prince a set-up along the seaside which we together with The Danish Cycling Union, North Funen Business and Tourism Association, and Sport Event Denmark have designed for the Worlds. HRH The Crown Prince already had a taste of the cycling terrain of Fyn himself as he did a test ride on the course for last summer’s Cross Triathlon World Championship. We are proud of being able to stage these major, international cycling events in Fyn,” says Jakob Staun, Business Manager at Sport Event Fyn.

”The fact that HRH The Crown Prince will visit is of major value to us and the event. It is also a seal of approval of North Funen as an innovative and epic part of the Kingdom of Denmark,” says Per Olesen, CEO, North Funen Business and Tourism Association.

With the royal visit comes an extra positive focus on the event and the spectacular discipline, Cyclo-Cross. Cyclo-Cross is a relatively minor discipline in Denmark with great growth potential for the riders and spectators.

At Sport Event Denmark, CEO, Lars Lundov, emphasizes the importance of the royal visits at major, international sporting events on Danish soil.

“We are honored that HRH The Crown Prince will visit Bogense and the UCI Cyclo-Cross World Championships. The Crown Prince is a frequent and highly appreciated guest at many of the major, international sporting events staged in Denmark. We are of course both happy and proud of his visits. The Crown Prince who is also an IOC member is a great promoter for sports on the field and outside. We thus look forward to welcoming His Royal Highness to the Worlds.

Facts

• From February 2nd and 3rd 2019
• 250 riders, 25 nations
• Expected spectators: 15.000-20.000
• 500 VIP-guest per day
• 300 TV and media representatives
• TV-coverage in 30-35 countries
• 18-20 TV-stations
• Expected: Over 40 million TV-viewers globally

2019 UCI Cyclo-Cross World Championships in Bogense is hosted by CrossDenmark – a cooperation between the Danish Cycling Union, North Funen Business and Tourism Association, Sport Event Fyn and Sport Event Denmark.

Denmark will play the host of the Thomas & Uber Cup 2020 and BWF World Championships 2023. Badminton World Federation has just awarded the two events to Denmark. It is the first time Denmark will host Thomas & Uber Cup and the fifth time for the BWF World Championships.

Denmark did it again!

Denmark attracted two of the greatest badminton events. Thomas & Uber Cup will be staged in Aarhus, Denmark, and BWF World Championships will be staged in Copenhagen, Denmark. The decision was made Thursday by Badminton World Federation, BWF, in Kuala Lumpur.

– The decision today further strengthens the partnership between BWF and Danish badminton. Denmark is a skilled event nation and therefore an attractive destination for our major championships. We look forward to the cooperation with Badminton Denmark, Sport Event Denmark, and the host cities Copenhagen and Aarhus, says BWF president Poul-Erik Høyer.
Badminton Denmark looks forward to hosting both championships:
– We are happy and proud that our long-term event strategy with Sport Event Denmark results in two of the greatest badminton events to be staged in Denmark. The work we each year put into DANISA DENMARK OPEN presented by VICTOR is at a very high level. We look forward to welcoming fans to the Thomas & Uber Cup and the BWF World Championships in world-class settings, says Bo Jensen, CEO, Badminton Denmark.

Sport Event Denmark shares the excitement:
– It’s a feather in the cap! The fact that Denmark will stage the Thomas & Uber Cup and the BWF World Championships underlines that Denmark is a strong badminton nation with a solid history when we talk about hosting the major, international sporting and badminton events, says Lars Lundov, CEO, Sport Event Denmark.
Thomas & Uber Cup will be held at Ceres Park & Arena in Aarhus – the same location as FZ FORZA/RSL DM, the Danish national championships, is held. In Aarhus they look forward to welcoming both players, coaches, staff, volunteers and not least spectators from all around the globe.

– Aarhus has gained a strong reputation in hosting major, international culture and sporting events. With Thomas & Uber Cup 2020 we continue this solid work, as Aarhus adds another international event to the calendar and creates a badminton festival for the entire town, says mayor Jacob Bundsgaard.

Mayor for Sport and Culture in Aarhus, Rabih Azad-Ahmad, adds:
– Fantastic news. In Aarhus, we will invite the town and the entire world to a gigantic badminton party. We have a strong tradition in staging international championships and raising the bar while embracing the town. We did so during the Sailing World Championships this summer and we look forward to repeating the work with Thomas & Uber Cup.

In the Danish capital, Copenhagen, mayor Frank Jensen looks forward to 2023 as the city will host the BWF World Championships.
– As Lord Mayor, I look forward to welcoming the World’s best badminton players and their fans to wonderful Copenhagen. I am sure that they will have a great time at Royal Arena and enjoy the Nordic cuisine as well as the hip, laid back atmosphere of our city, he says.

Likewise, the capital tourism organization Wonderful Copenhagen is excited about the news:
– BWF choosing Copenhagen as host city for the BWF World Championships is once again underlining Copenhagen’s position as being in the top 8 of the world’s best sport cities. We are proud to be a part of the collaboration behind Copenhagen’s bid for this event and we are looking forward to welcoming badminton enthusiasts from all over the world, says Mikkel Aarø-Hansen, CEO of Wonderful Copenhagen.

Denmark will play host of the Thomas & Uber Cup for the first time. The staging of the BWF World Championships will be for the fifth time.

Facts
The Danish Bid delegation consisted of:
Badminton Denmark: Brian Bach Moesgaard, Event Manager
Sport Event Denmark: Frederik Munk, senior event manager
Aarhus: Jørn Sønderkjær Christensen, head of events
Copenhagen: Lars Vallentin Christensen, head of events
Thomas & Uber Cup 2020 will be staged in Ceres Park & Arena in Aarhus. May 2020
BWF World Championships 2023 will be staged in Royal Arena in Copenhagen
Denmark has played the host of the World Badminton Championships in 2014, 1999, 1991, and 1983 as well as Sudirman Cup in 1991, and 1999.