FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour
I am from the US where soccer is not such a huge sport as it is in the rest of the world. Still, when I had an opportunity to see the actual World Cup Trophy, I was excited. This trophy is considered the most sought after award in sports. For the very first time ever, the actual trophy is making a world tour leading up to World Cup 2006.
The trophy is traveling to 31 cities in 28 countries around the world. Singapore is 18th in line. I was invited to attend the press viewing event the day before the trophy was presented to the public. A bunch of VIP’s were present and the corporate honchos from Coca Cola who is paying for the entire tour. 
Security was extremely tight. In addition to the police and private security, Coke has their own international security team guarding the trophy. They wouldn’t let anyone within 7 feet of it because no one is allowed to touch it. The picture on the left is one that was part of our press kit. The one on the right is one I took with my trusty digital.
For those who are interested, from Singapore the trophy is going to Jakarta, then Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Beijing, Sydney….then on to Europe going from Paris to London, Zurich, Russia, Ukraine, Portugal, Athens and Rome before heading home to Germany for the event.
The trophy is not big but it is 6,175 grams (about 13 + lbs) of solid 18k gold. The FIFA people would not put a price on it, but with its symbolism in the world of sport it is truly priceless.
March 9, 2006 at 2:23 pm
Gabriel lamented about not being to view this cup in all of its glory and splendor 🙂
March 10, 2006 at 10:12 pm
cool, hard to imagine what real soccer fans think of being able to see it. I’m a typical American non fan.
March 11, 2006 at 2:11 am
win it four times and its yours for keeps 🙂
March 11, 2006 at 2:53 am
jeez, left of center, is tat a real pic of bushie??? effing good one
March 13, 2006 at 5:19 pm
Hi Brian,
I think the following site you would love:
Bush Filmstrip