Celebrating World Orienteering Week with the Sprint World Orienteering Championships

To celebrate the forthcoming World Orienteering Week we spoke with Andy Mitchelmore, Event Director, Sprint World Orienteering Championships 2024 Edinburgh.?World Orienteering Week takes place across the globe from 18 to 26 May and is designed to increase the visibility, accessibility and participation of the outdoor adventure sport.

In July, 12 to 16, our capital city will host this world-class sporting spectacle event welcoming elite global athletes, as well as inviting complete beginners to take part. Additionally, the event’s free admission, whether on the streets or in the finish areas, ensures accessibility for everyone.

Orienteering may be new to some people. What can spectators expect from these World Championships??

I think one of the most exciting parts of WOC2024 is that spectators will be able to see elite athletes on the streets of Edinburgh.?Most sports happen in a stadium or on a defined field of play, but the beauty of orienteering is that it happens in the natural terrain of the city.?The multiple formats (individual sprint, mixed team relay, and knock-out sprint) lend themselves to really fast and exciting racing with close finishes. Spectators who are new to the sport will undoubtedly be impressed by how fast the athletes are running while simultaneously reading a map and plotting the fastest route around the controls on the course.

What makes Edinburgh the #PerfectStage for an orienteering event??

Edinburgh is the #PerfectStage for WOC2024 for so many reasons.?From a competition perspective, the geography of the Old Town has allowed our course planners to create some interesting courses, with fast running and challenging navigation.?This action will be set against the backdrop of iconic buildings and famous landmarks which will be instantly recognisable to spectators who have come to Edinburgh for WOC2024, and the millions of viewers watching on TV around the world.?With so much to do in and around the Scottish Capital in July, I know that the international fans, officials and athletes are very excited about coming to Edinburgh to enjoy the city as well as the championships.?

As organisers, what are the challenges of putting on a race in the middle of an historic city??

Edinburgh is a busy place at the best of times – and especially in the summer during the run-up to the August festivals.?Staging an event that will see elite athletes running through the city needs a lot of planning and we’ve been working hard with partners at City of Edinburgh Council and EventScotland, as well as stakeholders across the city to ensure that we can deliver an excellent competition while causing as little disruption as possible.?Elite orienteering competitions boast a couple of unique features: the course layout needs to be a closely guarded secret, presenting challenges for event planning. During the competition, athletes navigate through streets alongside pedestrians and road users, adding an intriguing element to the risk assessment process.

Orienteering is often seen as an individual sport, but there are also relay events. Can you explain how these relays work and what makes them particularly exciting for both participants and spectators??

The mixed team relay is a fantastic event to watch as it’s so exciting and there are so many variables at play.?Each team consists of two men and two women and they take it in turns to complete the course before tagging their next team-mate.?As with all of the events, athletes won’t know where the course is or see a map of the controls until they are on the start line so it’s up to each member of the team to decide what they think will be the fastest route around all of the controls.?

What are your tips for where spectators can catch the best of the action??

The nature of the event and the sport means that we can’t share any information about the start locations or the courses before the races take place; but we have announced the finish arenas for each day of racing.?On Friday 12 July the Individual Sprint will finish in Princes Street Gardens; the Mixed Team Relay on Sunday 14 July will be staged at Heriot Watt’s Riccarton Campus; and on Tuesday 16 July the Knock-out Sprint will finish on St John Street off the Royal Mile.?Once the racing has started fans will soon be able to work out where the athletes are coming from, so can head out to watch some of the racing on the courses. At each finish arena there will be big screens showing action from across the course, live commentary as well as the medal ceremonies when the races have finished. ?

How do you take advantage of a city centre location to showcase your sport and give spectators an exciting experience??

The WOC2024 routes will make use of Edinburgh’s unique geography to test the competitors speed and navigation skills, and the location of many of the controls and features will provide our TV producers with some fantastic pictures and footage.?As well as fixed camera locations, the racing is covered by drone cameras and camera-operators who run sections of the courses with the athletes.?This really helps to convey the navigation challenges and the speed of the athletes to the TV audience.?For spectators, having the races in the middle of a city centre means they have loads to see and do when the racing is not happening, as well as a great selection of places to eat and stay while they are in Edinburgh.? ?

Visit WOC2024 website: World Orienteering Championships 2024 Edinburgh (woc2024.org)

For inspiring information on what to see and do visit our consumer website: Edinburgh - Holidays, City & Weekend Breaks | VisitScotland