War on Iran Leads to Postponement of Global Sports Conference in Azerbaijan
The ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel against Iran has resulted in the postponement of a major global sports conference. The SportAccord conference, which was scheduled to take place from May 24-28 in Baku, Azerbaijan, has been delayed. This decision was made due to the proximity of Baku to Tehran, approximately 560 kilometers away. Azerbaijan's sports minister, Farid Gayibov, emphasized the country's reputation as a safe and reliable partner for sports stakeholders. The conference, organized by Lausanne-based SportAccord, is a significant event for cities to campaign for hosting Olympic and sports events. It has faced cancellations in recent years due to various global issues, including the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions.