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QNA ZURICH: The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has confirmed that the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 achieved record viewership rates worldwide and positive results in terms of sustainability. This came in a report published by FIFA in cooperation with the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Partnership (Qatar 2022) and the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final Sustainability Report), which is the most comprehensive report in the history of the competition, detailing the expected results and comparing them with the sustainability strategy prepared for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. The final report was prepared in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative’s standards for sustainability reporting, and it reviews the achievements and challenges related to the 79 initiatives included in the strategy. “When organising our flagship competition, the world’s biggest single-sport event, we are fully aware of the enormous impact it has. With many years of preparation and a wide range of stakeholders involved, there is huge potential to make a positive difference and leave a significant legacy in the host country,” said FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström on the occasion of the report’s publication. “The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 has benefited from these capabilities, witnessing many unprecedented achievements, especially in the field of sustainable event management, as FIFA, the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 LLC (Qatar 2022) and the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy have raised the bar for sustainability standards in major sporting events, years before the tournament kicks off, which will continue to be a source of inspiration in the field of event sustainability management for many years to come,” he added. “The work that has been accomplished since we were awarded the hosting rights in 2010 has transformed Qatar as much as it has set a model for positive social, economic and environmental change, which other host countries can learn from and build on,” said Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy. “Through our work together, we have achieved our vision of harnessing the power of football to open the door to a world of amazing experiences, showcasing the beauty of our country and region to the world, and leaving a true legacy of sustainable development,” he added. Among the many achievements of the tournament, 11 key achievements reflect the success of FIFA, Qatar 2022, the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy and relevant stakeholders in delivering the tournament’s intended outcomes, whether in the preparation, projects or legacy phases. These achievements span a number of areas such as environmental protection, human rights, workers’ welfare and accessibility, and were unprecedented in this tournament and featured best practices and programmes that will ensure the legacy of the 22nd edition of the FIFA World Cup will continue to be sustained over the years and eras. The Global Audience and Viewership Report also confirmed that five billion fans interacted with the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 across the globe, an unprecedented record that far exceeds previous editions. The figures - compiled by leading, world-renowned independent companies - confirm that the 2022 edition is the greatest in the tournament’s distinguished 94-year history. The total viewership for the final between France and Argentina was 1.42 billion, the highest ever, and the global average for individual matches in the first tournament to be held in the Middle East was 175 million, while Telemundo's coverage of the final was the most widely broadcasted in the history of U.S. media coverage of World Cup matches. FIFA’s social media channels also saw a strong following, with total engagement (811 million) up 448% on 2018, with 3.6 billion views of related videos during the tournament, representing a 202% increase. The report also shows an increase in the consumption of tournament-related content, reflecting the evolution of the broader media landscape, which includes terrestrial and satellite television broadcasting, digital/online broadcasting, social media platforms, and platforms owned and operated by FIFA. The report also includes tables and graphs that highlight the geographical distribution of content consumption. It is noteworthy that Asia and Oceania witnessed just over half of the total interactions (2.591 billion) with the events of the tournament held in Qatar in November and December 2022, while the second largest audience (945 million) was concentrated in Africa and the Middle East. At the country level, China led the interactions with no less than 1,161 billion interactions, ahead of India (745.7 million). The detailed report clearly explains the criteria used to define “engagement with tournament events” and details the methodology used to measure audiences, reflecting the evolving media landscape. The report also shows that consumption of digital content related to the FIFA World Cup is increasing significantly, while stressing that methods for measuring viewership must keep pace. Copy 30/11/2024 10Players must be assigned female at birth or have transitioned to female before going through male puberty to compete in LPGA tournaments or the eight USGA championships for females under new gender policies published Wednesday. The policies, which begin in 2025, follow more than a year of study involving medicine, science, sport physiology and gender policy law. The updated policies would rule out eligibility for Hailey Davidson, who missed qualifying for the U.S. Women's Open this year by one shot and came up short in LPGA Q-school. Davidson, who turned 32 on Tuesday, began hormone treatments when she was in her early 20s in 2015 and in 2021 underwent gender-affirming surgery, which was required under the LPGA's previous gender policy. She had won this year on a Florida mini-tour called NXXT Golf until the circuit announced in March that players had to be assigned female at birth. “Can't say I didn't see this coming,” Davidson wrote Wednesday on an Instagram story. “Banned from the Epson and the LPGA. All the silence and people wanting to stay ‘neutral’ thanks for absolutely nothing. This happened because of all your silence.” LPGA commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan, who is resigning in January, said the new gender policy "is reflective of an extensive, science-based and inclusive approach." By making it to the second stage of Q-school, Davidson would have had very limited status on the Epson Tour, the pathway to the LPGA. The LPGA and USGA say their policies were geared toward being inclusive of gender identities and expression while striving for equity in competition. The LPGA said its working group of experts advised that the effects of male puberty allowed for competitive advantages in golf compared with players who had not gone through puberty. “Our policy is reflective of an extensive, science-based and inclusive approach,” said LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan, who announced Monday that she is resigning in January. "The policy represents our continued commitment to ensuring that all feel welcome within our organization, while preserving the fairness and competitive equity of our elite competitions.” Mike Whan, the former LPGA commissioner and now CEO of the USGA, said it developed the updated policy independently and later discovered it was similar to those used by swimming, track and field, and other sports. United States Golf Association CEO Mike Whan said the new policy will prevent anyone from having "a competitive advantage based on their gender." “It starts with competitive fairness as the North star,” Whan said in a telephone interview. “We tried not to get into politics, or state by state or any of that stuff. We just simply said, ‘Where would somebody — at least medically today — where do we believe somebody would have a competitive advantage in the field?’ And we needed to draw a line. “We needed to be able to walk into any women's event and say with confidence that nobody here has a competitive advantage based on their gender. And this policy delivers that.” The “Competitive Fairness Gender Policy” for the USGA takes effect for the 2025 championship season that starts with the U.S. Women's Amateur Four-Ball on May 10-14. Qualifying began late this year, though there were no transgender players who took part. “Will that change in the years to come as medicine changes? Probably,” Whan said. “But I think today this stacks up.” The LPGA “Gender Policy for Competition Eligibility” would apply to the LPGA Tour, Epson Tour, Ladies European Tour and qualifying for the tours. Players assigned male at birth must prove they have not experienced any part of puberty beyond the first stage or after age 12, whichever comes first, and then meet limitation standards for testosterone levels. The LPGA begins its 75th season on Jan. 30 with the Tournament of Champions in Orlando, Florida. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, foreground right, dives toward the end zone to score past San Francisco 49ers defensive end Robert Beal Jr. (51) and linebacker Dee Winters during the second half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus) Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green goes up for a dunk during the second half of an Emirates NBA cup basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) South Carolina guard Maddy McDaniel (1) drives to the basket against UCLA forward Janiah Barker (0) and center Lauren Betts (51) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) Mari Fukada of Japan falls as she competes in the women's Snowboard Big Air qualifying round during the FIS Snowboard & Freeski World Cup 2024 at the Shougang Park in Beijing, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) South Africa's captain Temba Bavuma misses a catch during the fourth day of the first Test cricket match between South Africa and Sri Lanka, at Kingsmead stadium in Durban, South Africa, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) Los Angeles Kings left wing Warren Foegele, left, trips San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini, center, during the third period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez) Olympiacos' Francisco Ortega, right, challenges for the ball with FCSB's David Miculescu during the Europa League league phase soccer match between FCSB and Olympiacos at the National Arena stadium, in Bucharest, Romania, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru) Brazil's Botafogo soccer fans react during the Copa Libertadores title match against Atletico Mineiro in Argentina, during a watch party at Nilton Santos Stadium, in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado) Jiyai Shin of Korea watches her shot on the 10th hole during the final round of the Australian Open golf championship at the Kingston Heath Golf Club in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake) Mathilde Gremaud of Switzerland competes in the women's Freeski Big Air qualifying round during the FIS Snowboard & Freeski World Cup 2024 at the Shougang Park in Beijing, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) Lara Gut-Behrami, of Switzerland, competes during a women's World Cup giant slalom skiing race, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Killington, Vt. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin cools off during first period of an NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Brazil's Amanda Gutierres, second right, is congratulated by teammate Yasmin, right, after scoring her team's first goal during a soccer international between Brazil and Australia in Brisbane, Australia, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Pat Hoelscher) Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) tries to leap over Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Joshua Williams (2) during the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga) Luiz Henrique of Brazil's Botafogo, right. is fouled by goalkeeper Everson of Brazil's Atletico Mineiro inside the penalty area during a Copa Libertadores final soccer match at Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) England's Alessia Russo, left, and United States' Naomi Girma challenge for the ball during the International friendly women soccer match between England and United States at Wembley stadium in London, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Gold medalists Team Netherlands competes in the Team Sprint Women race of the ISU World Cup Speed Skating Beijing 2024 held at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) reaches for an incomplete pass ahead of Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. (2) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Melanie Meillard, center, of Switzerland, competes during the second run in a women's World Cup slalom skiing race, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Killington, Vt. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) LSU punter Peyton Todd (38) kneels in prayer before an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. LSU won 37-17. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, left, is hit by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey, center, as Eagles wide receiver Parris Campbell (80) looks on during a touchdown run by Barkley in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) Seattle Kraken fans react after a goal by center Matty Beniers against the San Jose Sharks was disallowed due to goaltender interference during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Seattle. The Sharks won 4-2. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) New York Islanders left wing Anders Lee (27), center, fight for the puck with Boston Bruins defensemen Parker Wotherspoon (29), left, and Brandon Carlo (25), right during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Get in the game with our Prep Sports Newsletter Sent weekly directly to your inbox!Jameis Winston’s net worth: The Heisman-winning Browns QB’s wealth & salary
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