Karl Stoss appointed as new Chair of the Future Host Commission for the Olympic Winter Games – Octavian Morariu stands down

Mr Stoss was already a serving member of the Commission, which was created as part of the Olympic Agenda reforms.

IOC President Thomas Bach commented: “Karl Stoss brings with him huge experience of winter sports, coming as he does from one of the leading winter sports nations in the world. Under his chairmanship, the Commission will be in very safe hands as we continue the dialogue with a number of potential hosts for the Olympic Winter Games 2030 and beyond. I would like to also thank Octavian Morariu for all his dedication and hard work in chairing the Commission since it was created in 2019.”

IOC member Mr Morariu took the decision to stand down as the Chair of the Future Host Commission for the Olympic Winter Games following the decision by the French Olympic Committee (CNOSF) to further explore an ambition to host future Olympic Winter Games in France.

Mr Morariu, who has French-Romanian dual nationality, took the decision to avoid any potential conflict of interest. This is in keeping with the Future Host Commissions – Terms of Reference, under the new approach to electing Olympic hosts.

The CNOSF announced yesterday that it would enter into Continuous Dialogue with the IOC, together with the French Paralympic Committee (CPSF) and the regions of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.

The remaining vacant position on the Commission will be taken by IOC member and athlete representative Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen, from Norway, who is an Olympic champion and multiple world champion in cross-country skiing.