… The Podcast as a Tool for Responsible Sports Management at the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 World University Games
Talk on the World Conference within 2025 FISU World University Games in Rhine-Ruhr on July 17th 2025.
Abstract: The conception and implementation of major sporting events involve a wide range of competencies within sports management and sports communication. The FISU World University Games integrate these diverse tasks and aspects into a single event. From the organizers’ perspective, the aim is not “just” to manage the event practically and organizationally or to create an engaging experience for spectators. Instead, the Games pursue broader societal objectives, extending beyond the responsibility for student-athletes to include a particular focus on sustainability. Education, alongside information and transparency, plays a central role in these efforts, a principle that is also reflected in the accompanying conference held during each edition of the Games.
This educational focus has been incorporated into the conceptualization and production of a podcast as part of the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 World University Games. The podcast explores various aspects of organizing large-scale sporting events with experts from around the globe, covering topics ranging from the specific characteristics of selected regions and events to gender issues and sustainability.
As part of the overall communication strategy, the podcast will accompany the final weeks and months leading up to the Games’ opening in Rhine-Ruhr in July 2025. This contribution outlines the technical and practical aspects of podcast production while sketching the communicative objectives. These objectives are evaluated using key performance indicators, such as reach, social media interactions, and community feedback. Additionally, the contribution provides an initial assessment of the podcast’s value as a communication tool for responsible sports management aligned with the UN’s Sustainability Goals. This evaluation will include a content analysis of selected parts of the podcast.