During four days, dozens of TV channels, TV networks and broadcasters stopped by to learn more about the events organized at the international level and it must be said, that judo is now well internationally recognized. As Mr. Vizer underlined: "Last year during the World Championships in Paris, we had more than 130 territories covered by the live signal and we are expecting more than 150 on the occasion of the next World Championship, which will be held in Rio, next summer. Judo is becoming popular. This is good for our image, but this also good to help the national federations to develop themselves."
 

 

Since 2007 and the election of Mr. Vizer at the Presidency of the IJF, the face of judo has completely changed. From one event every second year, to promote judo at the international level (it was the World Judo Championship), the IJF is now able to propose 20 events per year, which are gathered into the World Judo Tour: World Championships, World Masters, Judo Grand Slams and Judo Grand Prix. Thus, it is not any more a one year contract, which is proposed to the TV channels, but a four-year program, with more than 70 events. All those IJF events are giving points that count for the World Rankin list and for the Olympic qualification. This makes the program fully understandable by all the IJF TV partners. 
 

 

"In 2012, in Monaco", explained Vlad Marinescu, "we were able to consolidate our existing TV partnerships, but we were also able to have new contacts, which is really good". To reinforce this success and to increase the visibility of Judo during the forum, the IJF organized judo demonstrations, which were highly appreciated. Thanks to the athletes of the 'Pôle Espoirs de Nice' and to the judoka of the Monaco Judo Club, the participants of the SPORTEL, could learn more about the World Judo Tour but also about the educational values of judo •