Olympic Highlights

IOC ACTIVITIES

PRESIDENT

Following an invitation by IOC President Thomas Bach to the “Independent Person” (IP), Professor Richard McLaren, and to the President of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), Sir Craig Reedie, a very constructive and fruitful meeting with frank discussions was held at the IOC headquarters in Lausanne. The three participants discussed the strategy to move forward in the follow-up of the IP Report with regard to sanctioning and to a more independent, robust and efficient anti-doping system. The IOC and WADA expressed their appreciation for the work done by Professor McLaren, which revealed a systematic manipulation of the anti-doping system in Russia. The three agreed to strengthen the cooperation between the IOC, WADA and Professor McLaren. Only full cooperation would allow them to properly follow up on Professor McLaren’s report and its findings. Full text of the joint statement here.

The President welcomed the Vice-President and Secretary General of the NOC of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Kwang Ho Son, and IOC Member Ung Chang. The subjects of their discussions included cooperation for sports development and the assistance provided through Olympic Solidarity.

With the President and CEO of the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI), Robbert de Kock, the meeting addressed the success of the support programme for NOCs run by the two organisations for the Olympic Games Rio 2016, and the future of this collaboration.

The IOC President met Jean-Loup Chappelet, Director of the Swiss Graduate School of Public Administration (IDHEAP), and discussed issues relating to the organisation of the Olympic Games and legacy.

Meetings were also held with IOC Members Franco Carraro, Sam Ramsamy, Ung Chang, Barry Maister, Li Lingwei and Alexander Zhukov. The subjects discussed included preparations for the forthcoming editions of the Olympic Games, the WADA reforms and other topics of common interest.

President Bach met Kosovo NOC President Besim Hasani, whom he congratulated on the successful Kosovo’s first Olympic participation at the Olympic Games Rio 2016.

The President also welcomed Michael Mronz, General Manager of the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein e.V., organisers of the International Equestrian Event, CHIO Aachen (Germany).

President Bach hosted the dinner for the IOC Olympic Programme Commission members.

Commissions

The Olympic Programme Commission held a meeting on 5 May, chaired by IOC Member Franco Carraro. The main subject on the agenda was the programme for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.

A panel of leading medical and scientific experts held a three-day meeting at the IOC headquarters to discuss the use of dietary supplements, their effects on athletes’ health and performances and the risk of contamination and anti-doping issues. The Medical and Scientific Commission, chaired by IOC Vice President Uğur Erdener, has recognised the important role that sound nutrition practices play in protecting good health and promoting the optimum performance of athletes. As part of its commitment to supporting the health and performance of athletes, it convened a meeting of experts in the field of dietary supplements to assess the evidence relating to the place of dietary supplements in the preparations of elite athletes. Particular focus was placed on their effects on athletes’ health and performances, and the risk of contamination with substances that may be harmful to health or that may trigger an adverse analytical finding, leading to an anti-doping rule violation. The consensus statement will be published in January 2018 (online in December 2017) in the British Journal of Sports Medicine and on olympic.org. Read the full press release here.

international sports FEDERATIONS

summer ifs

The first-ever Mid-Term Congress of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) unanimously ratified the FIBA Central Board's decision for a new rule that will allow players to wear headgear. It was developed in a way that minimises the risk of injuries as well as preserving the consistency of the colour of the uniform. It will come into effect as of 1 October 2017. Held in Hong Kong China, the Congress brought together representatives from 139 National Federations. Read the full story here.

In December 2016, on the occasion of its World Aquatics Convention, the International Swimming Federation (FINA) launched the “Pools for All” project, an initiative that offers standardised tools for worldwide design, construction and operation of a full range of sustainable aquatic facilities compliant with the regulations of the different aquatic disciplines. One of the core principles of the Pools For All project is to build aquatic facilities that cater to the needs of the community. This project also aims to guarantee that any investment in facilities is well spent and gives value for money. More info about the Pools for All project here.

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has announced that the governing bodies of tennis have approved enhanced measures for the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme for 2017, including an increase in the volume of testing and a strengthening of the sample storage policy. These enhancements to the Programme, which is a joint initiative between the ATP, Grand Slam Board, ITF and WTA, came into effect on 1 May. To fund these changes, the annual budget for the Programme will be increased by over 50 per cent to approximately USD 4.5 million in 2017 (excluding administration costs). Read the news here.

World Karate Federation (WKF) stakeholders gathered in Paris (France) recently to discuss crucial issues concerning karate’s path to its Olympic debut at the Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires 2018 and the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, as well as to set the roadmap of the sport for its momentous challenges ahead. The strategic meetings, chaired by WKF President Antonio Espinós, were hosted at the French Karate Federation headquarters, and welcomed the members of the Executive Bureau, the WKF Olympic Planning Commission, the WKF Rules Commission and the presidents of all the continental federations. Read the news here.

nationaL olympiC COMMITTEes

The Algerian NOC held its ordinary general assembly on 29 April, with an agenda which included a report on 2016 and the 2013-2017 Olympic cycle, and the adoption of the corresponding resolutions. In the framework of the Olympic Agenda 2020 recommendations, new female members joined the NOC assembly: journalist Leila Benferhat, former basketball player Fairouz Dih and the President of the National Association for the Development and Promotion of Women’s Sport, Dounia Hedjab. On this occasion, the NOC awarded the Algerian Order of Olympic and Sporting Merit to the Director General of the Algerian Criminal Investigation Department, Abdelghani Hamel, for his work in the field of youth and sport.

The 2017 International Sports Affairs Training Course, held by the Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee (CTOC) in Taipei from 29 to 30 April, brought together 15 participants from nine East and South Asian NOCs, and more than 165 staff members working for the CTOC, city governments, national sports organisations and the Organising Committee of 2017 Taipei Universiade as well as the 2019 East Asian Youth Games. The guests of honour were Ching-kuo Wu, IOC Executive Board Member; Van Manh Tran, Secretary General of the Vietnam Olympic Committee; Christopher McCleary, USOC General Counsel; and Matthieu Barnay, Director of the Communications, Marketing and Events Department of the French NOC. The themes included Olympic marketing, sports management as well as bidding, preparation and management for international multi-sports games. More info on www.tpenoc.net.

The Jordan Olympic Committee (JOC) has launched an awareness campaign that highlights the efforts and sacrifices that the Kingdom’s athletes go through to become champions. “You are a champ” will be splashed across Jordan over the coming months, using both traditional and social media channels to ensure it inspires the next generation of champions. Read the news here.

The Turkish Olympic Committee (TOC) began its Olympic Day celebrations with an event held on 30 April in Gaziantep. Coordinated by the TOC and Gaziantep Metropolitan Municipality, the event saw hundreds of local children, including 300 Syrian refugees, taking part in a variety of learning activities designed to promote healthy lifestyles, environmental awareness and the Olympic values. All the participants received Olympic Day t-shirts and certificates signed by the IOC President and the TOC President, IOC Vice-President Uğur Erdener. The TOC will continue its Olympic Day celebrations across Turkey with further events scheduled in Muğla on 15 May, Antalya on 17 May and Istanbul on 29 May. Read the news here.

organisinG COMMITTEES FOR THE olympiC GAMes

PyeongChang 2018

In partnership with the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the PyeongChang Organising Committee for the 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (POCOG) has launched a competition for the design of posters promoting both events. The open call for entries began on May 2. Entrants may submit their applications between 24 and 31 July, with the winners to be announced this September. The 10 winning designs for both the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games will go on display at a number of museums and art galleries across the country, among them the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art and the Gangneung Art Centre. Read the full press release here.

Tokyo 2020

The Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 (Tokyo 2020) and the Tokyo Marathon Foundation have signed a partnership to allow for an exchange of knowledge and experience between the two organisations. This partnership will give Tokyo 2020 the chance to deepen its understanding of how to prepare for and operate one of the most iconic events of the Olympic Games. Full press release here.

Organising Committees for the Youth Olympic Games

Buenos Aires 2018

“Break-through” innovation has been redefined for the forthcoming Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires 2018, with the launch of the online qualification system for breaking introduced by the World Dance Sport Federation, the first time in Olympic history that video submissions are part of a qualification system. A group of expert judges, including some of the most renowned breakers on the international stage, will judge all the videos submitted and will provide individual feedback to each promising dancer, while top breaking DJs will provide the downloadable tracks to accompany the submissions. The online qualification period opened on 5 May and will run until 31 July 2017. Read the full press release here.