Frequently Asked Questions

Corporate citizenship and good governance

What are the IOC principles on non-discrimination?

Since the foundation of the IOC, non-discrimination has been at the core of the Olympic Games. 

Pierre de Coubertin founder of the modern Olympic Games and the IOC once said : "We shall not have peace until the prejudices that now separate the different races are outlived. To attain this end, what better means is there than to bring the youth of all countries periodically together for amicable trials of muscular strength and agility?”  

The Olympic Charter now states, in the Fundamental Principles of Olympism, that “The enjoyment of the rights and freedoms [...] shall be secured without discrimination of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, sexual orientation, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status”.