IOC Session discusses Olympic Movement topics on the sidelines of Lausanne 2020

Boxing Task Force

Morinari Watanabe delivered a progress report on the IOC Boxing Task Force (BTF)’s activities. The first boxing continental qualifying event for Tokyo 2020 will be held in Wuhan, China, from 3 to 14 February 2020. Three more continental qualifying events will follow between February and April, in Dakar (SEN), London (GBR) and Buenos Aires (ARG), while a second and final world qualifying event will be staged in Paris (FRA) in May. 

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Watanabe said: “The Task Force is working hard to deliver its mission of ensuring that the boxers have a fair and clean qualification pathway and creating a level playing field for the best boxers to emerge and win at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.”

International Boxing Association (AIBA)

The IOC Session heard a report by Nenad Lalovic on the International Boxing Association (AIBA) from the Special Monitoring Committee, set up in June last year after the  IOC Session decided to suspend the recognition of AIBA. 

The Special Monitoring Committee had several meetings over recent months with the AIBA Executive Committee and the Interim President, Mohamed Moustahsane, urging the implementation of measures in three main areas: financial situation, new leadership and support to the IOC Boxing Task Force.

The Committee had been informed of AIBA’s willingness to organise new competitions in order to generate revenues, while details of a financial plan to clear the indebtedness of the Federation have still to be provided.

The Committee also learnt that AIBA is considering the evolution of its statutes and will hold an Extraordinary Congress in spring 2020; however, clarification on the need for a new leadership will be taken into consideration to support a new governance culture.

Over the upcoming months, the Committee will continue its monitoring and discussions with the current AIBA management.

Esports and gaming

The Chair of the Esports and Gaming Liaison Group, UCI President David Lappartient, reported on  recommendations agreed by the Olympic Summit in December to promote the Olympic sports and values in esports and gaming.He explained the two-speed approach approved by the Summit, which sees great potential for cooperation and incorporating electronic games simulating sports into the sports movement, but concluded that, with regard to other electronic games at this stage, the sports movement should focus on players and gamers rather than on specific games.

Alliance of Independent Recognised Members of Sport

The IOC Session approved the full recognition of the Alliance of Independent

Recognised Members of Sport (AIMS), following the provisional IOC recognition granted by the  IOC Executive Board (EB) at its meeting on 2 December 2015, and the  IOC EB decision in October 2019 to present AIMS for full recognition by the Session. 

Founded in 2009, AIMS plays an essential role as one of the four International Federation (IF) umbrella groups in the  Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF). It is the umbrella body of IFs not currently recognised by the IOC. Recognition of AIMS does not confer recognition on its individual members, and the existing IF recognition process remains unchanged. 

Their core focus is the exchange of culture, education through sport and sport for all, along with protecting each of the member IFs from rival bodies, ensuring close cooperation with WADA, and using sport as a powerful tool to contribute to society.

AIMS has been a driving force in improving and strengthening good governance within its member Federations, as well as taking the lead in the promotion and development of its members’ sports via the various initiatives undertaken by the Association.

Following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 19 April 2016, the relationship between the IOC and AIMS has strengthened considerably. This collaboration is a direct reflection of Olympic Agenda 2020 Recommendation 13 (focus on maximising synergies with Olympic Movement stakeholders). 

AIMS will hold the GAISF presidency from 2023 to 2025.

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Olympic Orders

The IOC awarded the Olympic Order to five IOC Honorary Members: Iván Dibós, Austin L. Sealy, Samih Moudallal, Habu Gumel and Willi Kaltschmitt Luján. The Olympic Order is the highest honour granted to individuals who have rendered outstanding services to the Olympic cause for their contribution to the development of sport.