The annual event is taking place in the Olympic Capital for the third consecutive year and is viewed as a key opportunity for cities and regions to learn strategies which will enable them to connect with sport.

Among the key ideas is to enable prospective bid cities to get new ideas while also benefiting from networking opportunities which arise across the Summit, which will take place until Wednesday (October 12).

Delegates at the event, organised by the World Union of Olympic Cities, will be officially welcomed tomorrow by the Mayor of Lausanne Grégoire Junod and Jean-Francois Manzoni, President of IMD, where the Summit is taking place.

“Lausanne is very proud to host this platform and promote the dialogue between cities to develop innovative ideas, ensure the exchange of knowledge and offer you the opportunity to learn, share connect,” Junod wrote in a welcoming statement.

“Throughout sport, it is the question of sustainable urban development that lies at the crux of the matter and our concern is the sustained good health of our inhabitants.

“Another endorsement is the value of the exchanges between cities on a very concrete basis.

“For this third edition, the Smart Cities & Sport Summit will offer you a comprehensive programme focused on the latest sport trends and research.

“You will be able to learn from the experts with the masterclass and big debate, share your good practices during the Q&A discussion of the toolbox, connect with the sport and your peers at the marketplace.”

The opening session of the summit will focus on “Sport & Health – what is the role of cities in promoting active lifestyles?” before a masterclass session, led by Professor Mikkel Draebye, focuses on “How to define, measure and communicate success as a sport city.”

A ‘toolbox’ will then focus on the issues raised in the masterclass, with three city representatives and a member of an International Federation taking part in an interactive exercise.

The first day will draw to a close with a session on “Sport and integration – How to use sport to unite communities” and a big debate entitled “How should cities react to the current issues affecting the international sports world”.

Andrew Ryan, the executive director of the Association of the Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF), will be among the panellists in the debate.

The final day of the summit will feature a keynote speech from Kasim Reed, Mayor of Atlanta, who will discuss “Sport and the City”.

A special session on “Olympism in Action”, organised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), will round off the Summit.