What, specifically, do Monaco, Zurich, Roehampton, Dublin, Lausanne, Dubai, Bristol and Place de la Concord in Paris all have in common?

Datsmeharse

They all have funky water fountains for one: Monaco: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monte_Carlo_Casino Zurich: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=262663 Roehampton: http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/21028 http://www.eveandersson.com/photo-display/large/ireland/1150-dublin-fountain.html Lausanne: http://europeforvisitors.com/switzaustria/vaud/lausanne/lausanne-photos-3.htm Dubai: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubai_Fountain Bristol: http://www.about-bristol.co.uk/wat-02.asp Place de la Concorde, Paris: http://www.spirit-of-paris.com/wp-content/photos/paris/concorde/fontaine%20place%20de%20la%20concorde%20jour%20ciel%20bleu%20jet%20eau.jpg Aug 06 10, 2:03 PM

gmackematix

So I've brought the Harse to water... While you are usually a fount of good answers, the answer to this is not a lot to do with fountains. Lots of towns and cities have funky fountains but not so many have what I'm looking for. Shall I give you a sporting chance by offering a clue perhaps to base your answer on...? Aug 06 10, 9:40 PM

queproblema

Very generous, Gmack. My internet is being such a poop tonight I'm not going to spend the time looking them all up, but it seems the headquarters of a major sporting body is found in each. (This question, by the way, reminds me of Ken Jennings' famous #7s on his weekly quiz.) The Place [de la Concorde] is also home to the headquarters of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, the rule-making body for Formula One and other world motor sports. http://www.paris-walking-tours.com/placedelaconcorde.html The International Tennis Federation moved to Roehampton from Barons Court in 1998, and in 2007 the Lawn Tennis Association made the same short journey across London to their newly built headquarters next door to the ITF. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roehampton The Principality of Monaco has been home to the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) since October 1993 http://www.iaaf.org/aboutiaaf/headquarter/index.html Etcetera? Aug 06 10, 10:48 PM

Datsmeharse

QP was kind enough to finish for me on another, so: Dublin: Gaelic Athletic Association http://goireland.about.com/od/historyculture/qt/gg_gaa.htm and the International Rugby Board: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Rugby_Board Zurich: Fifa http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIFA Lausanne: IOC and many Olympic sports federations: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Olympic_Committee Dubai: Interntaional Cricket Council: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Cricket_Council Bristol: Snooker and English billiards: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Professional_Billiards_and_Snooker_Association Aug 07 10, 6:26 AM

gmackematix

Much of the yay goes to Qp there I think. Putting them all together in order, they are the HQs of IAAF (athletics), FIFA (football), ITF (tennis), IRB (rugby union), FINA (swimming/aquatics), ICC (cricket), WPBSA (snooker & billiards) and FIA (Formula One motor racing). Of course, the GAA and IOC also fit Dublin and Lausanne. Funny how some seem neutral (e.g. Dubai for cricket) and some less so (e.g. Dublin for rugby). Of course, some sports like golf and horse racing don't have an international governing body at all. Aug 07 10, 10:51 PM

Datsmeharse

ALL of the Yay goes to Qp! Golf created the International Golf Federation in order to have more pull with the IOC, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Golf_Federation, which is jointly chaired by the heads of the R&A and USGA. It succeeded in having golf added to the 2016 Olympics, so perhaps someday it will obtain some governing powers. Harses listen to no one! Aug 08 10, 8:49 AM