The first world conference on sport and society
In 1997, 109 sports journalists and researchers from 34 countries gathered at Sport, Media and Civil Society in Denmark to engage in a newly emerging debate.
They discussed doping in professional cycling, the way sport was turning into showbiz, and the conflicts of interest that came along with globalisation.
They formed the Sports Intelligence Unit, an international network.
Sports Intelligence Unit
The Sports Intelligence Unit (SIU) network was founded at the first Play the Game conference in 1997 and mainly served as a communication network for conference participants. The SIU activities was built into Play the Game when it became an independent institution in 2004.
The Sports Intelligence Unit (SIU) is a voluntary, independent network for individual sports journalists and sports researchers. SIU regards the free flow of information and an open public debate as essential for democratic development.