The continuous expansion of the sporting phenomenon in our modern world and the accompanying professionalism that now influences these sports activities has led to a virtual exponential growth of information sources. Active international co-operation is required since individual action is no longer sufficient to monitor new technologies or to research resources and data.

The IASI Congress, organized every four years following the Olympic cycle, affords an ideal opportunity to bring together all actors in the sport information domain including experts, producers and users of sports information. This opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences will enable participants to explore many exciting challenges, particularly in the field of new technology developed under the influence of sports globalization. Congress participants will take the lead in developing future strategies for the creation, management and dissemination of sports information.

Although present on all continents and within more than 70 countries, until now IASI has organized its congresses only in Europe, the headquarters and origin of our association. The choice of Beijing offers an opportunity to enlarge our sphere of activity and I wish to thank the Organizing Committee of the Congress for their exciting and innovative programme that I believe will attract considerable attention.

I look forward to meeting a large number of participants in Beijing in 2005.
Best regards.