Nike Eyes Elite and Grassroots Sports to Fuel Urban Vitality

Editor's Note:

The annual International Business Leaders' Advisory Council for the Mayor of Shanghai (IBLAC) will convene on October 12, with six new members joining the council. Shanghai Daily speaks with some of the executives about their expectations, the expertise they will contribute to the council, and the topics they hope to discuss with the mayor.

How does it feel to become a new member? What are your expectations from IBLAC?

It is a privilege to join the International Business Leaders' Advisory Council for the Mayor of Shanghai. For decades, Nike's presence and commitment in China have been driven by the power of sport. We see IBLAC as a critical platform to advance our sports legacy here and contribute to the city's impressive 2030 vision.

My expectation is to listen, learn and collaborate. I look forward to working closely with the Council and the Shanghai Municipal Government to support the city's long-term development goals. Specifically, we can explore how sports serve as a strategic accelerator to enhance the city's global competitiveness and urban vitality.

What expertise and insights will you bring to IBLAC?

At Nike, we believe in the power of sport to move the world forward. Nike can bring a global perspective on how a holistic sports ecosystem can be a powerful engine for comprehensive urban development. While Shanghai is already a leader in hosting high-profile sports events, we believe the next frontier of growth lies in fully integrating elite sport with a thriving mass-participation culture. I will be delighted to share our experience and insights from our work around the world in this area.

Are there any particular areas of Shanghai's development that you are interested in further exploring and discussing with other members and the mayor of Shanghai?

I'm particularly interested in how Shanghai can leverage both elite and grassroots sports to fuel urban vitality. There's significant potential to attract more premier international events while also pioneering new and innovative government-led and community-driven event formats that engage more citizens.

Most importantly, I look forward to collaborating with the mayor and fellow IBLAC members to support Shanghai's vision of building a world-class sports city – one that fosters talent, brings people together, and serves as a global model for how to empower inclusive urban development through sports.