Roles and responsibilities of the IOC

  • What is the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and what is its mission?

    • The International Olympic Committee is an international non-governmental not-for-profit organisation, in the form of an association.

      It is the supreme authority leading the Olympic Movement and the catalyst for all Olympic family members:National Olympic Committees, International, Federations, athletes, Organising Committees for the Olympic Games, TOP partners and broadcasters, plus United Nations agencies.

      Its job is to encourage the promotion of Olympic values, to ensure the regular celebration of the Olympic Games and its legacy and to support all the organisations affiliated to the Olympic Movement. The IOC cultivates its success through a series of programmes and projects which give life to the Olympic values.

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  • What is the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session?

    • The Session is the general assembly of the IOC’s members. The supreme body of the IOC, its decisions are final. An ordinary Session is held once a year. Extraordinary Sessions may be convened by the President or upon the written request of at least one-third of the members.

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  • What powers does the Session have?

    • The Session has the following powers:

      1. to adopt or amend the Olympic Charter

      2. to elect the members of the IOC, the Honorary President, honorary members and honour members

      3. to elect the President, the Vice-Presidents and all other members of the IOC Executive Board

      4. to elect the host city of the Olympic Games

      5. to elect the city in which an ordinary Session is held, the President having the authority to determine the city in which an extraordinary Session is held

      6. to approve the annual report and financial statements of the IOC

      7. to appoint the independent auditor of the IOC

      8. to decide on the awarding or withdrawal by the IOC of full recognition to or from NOCs, associations of NOCs, IFs, associations of IFs and other organisations

      9. to expel IOC members and to withdraw the status of Honorary President, honorary members and honour members

      10. to adopt or amend the Athletes’ Rights and Responsibilities Declaration upon recommendation of the Athletes’ Commission and to promote respect for this Declaration within the Olympic Movement

      11. to resolve and decide upon all other matters assigned to it by law or by the Olympic Charter.

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  • What is the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee (IOC)?

    • The Executive Board is the executive body of the IOC. It assumes the general overall responsibility for the administration of the IOC and monitors compliance with the Olympic Charter. The Board is made up of the IOC President, four vice-presidents and 10 other members, all elected by the Session.

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  • How does one become an IOC member?

    • To become an IOC member, it is necessary to be elected by the IOC Session by a majority of the votes cast. The IOC recruits and elects its members from among the people it deems qualified.

      The IOC’s members include active athletes, former athletes and the presidents or senior leaders of the International Sports Federations (IFs) or international organisations recognised by the IOC.

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  • How can I contact the IOC or an IOC Member ?

    • You can either send your message via this form or send your correspondence to the following address. Upon evaluation, your message will be forwarded to the appropriate service/person:

       

      International Olympic Committee

      Maison Olympique

      1007 Lausanne

      Switzerland

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