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What do you get when you cross an all-ages athletics event with a cyber security competition? It sounds like there should be a punchline following that, but it’s a real question with a real answer.
MVP Vibe Fest is a partnership between the US Cyber Games and MVP Track and Field, and it’s designed to bring the two worlds closer together and train a new generation of cyber athletes.
Building up a competent and motivated cyber security workforce is a challenge facing many nations and businesses, and MVP Vibe Fest is a left-field solution to the problem.
“This USATF-sanctioned event not only provides an excellent opportunity for youth to compete alongside some of the top-performing youth track athletes but also learn from our country’s top cyber security athletes. It provides a unique bridge to both high-performance junior and elite programs as well as high-tech college degrees and careers helping to grow well-rounded athletes on and off the track,” Jacci White, USA Track & Field national youth chair, said in an announcement.
The whole event actually makes a lot of sense. Most modern, high-performing athletes are already making the most of a host of digital technologies to boost their on-field performance, which is exactly what competitors in the US Cyber Games do to maintain their skills.
“We need to energise the track and field community and use it as a platform to open doors. Our unique meet format and partnership with the US Cyber Games allows us to do just that,” said Maurice Hutton, USATF Region 3 coordinator and Virginia youth chair.
The track event, held this weekend in Chicago, supplements field events with cyber security experts for athletes to network with, and a Cyber Exhibit Hall that competitors can wander through after their events.
David Hollingworth has been writing about technology for over 20 years, and has worked for a range of print and online titles in his career. He is enjoying getting to grips with cyber security, especially when it lets him talk about Lego.