Olympic Highlights 11/04/2022
IOC ACTIVITIES
PRESIDENT
The IOC and Deloitte have announced a decade-long, five-Games TOP partnership through 2032. Over the course of the partnership, Deloitte will provide the IOC with Management and Business Consulting Services, including digital strategy and transformation, that will advance the IOC’s Olympic Agenda 2020+5 goals. Punit Renjen, Deloitte Global CEO, said: “Together, Deloitte and the IOC aspire to make an impact that matters – to strengthen, enhance and create a long-lasting and positive impact on society through the Olympic Movement.” For IOC President Thomas Bach, “Deloitte’s initiatives to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals align with the IOC’s philosophy of further change and transformation as expressed in the IOC’s Olympic Agenda 2020+5 strategic roadmap for the future.” IOC Vice-President Ser Miang Ng, IOC Marketing Commission Chair Jiri Kejval and Joe Ucuzoglu, CEO Deloitte US, were also present. Read the full news release here.
Before the announcement, the Deloitte delegation took a tour of Olympic House, and Mr Renjen signed the IOC’s Golden Book. Then President Bach and the Deloitte Global CEO attended the signing of the Olympian Wall by Deloitte Olympians Greg Douglas and Claire Bergin and Deloitte Paralympian Pieter du Preez. A Senior Consultant at Monitor Deloitte, Greg Douglas represented Barbados at the Olympic Games Beijing 2008 then Canada at the Olympic Games London 2012 in sailing. A Senior Manager, Corporate Responsibility at Deloitte Ireland, Claire Bergin represented Ireland at the Olympic Winter Games Vancouver 2010 in bobsleigh. An Actuarial Analyst at Deloitte South Africa, Pieter du Preez represented South Africa at the Paralympic Games London 2012 in athletics and won a gold medal in cycling at the Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020.
President Bach held a telephone call with the President-elect of the Republic of Korea, Yoon Suk-yeol and congratulated him on his election. President Yoon expressed his full support for the message delivered by the IOC President to “give peace a chance”. The two leaders also discussed the preparations for the Winter Youth Olympic Games Gangwon 2024 and the current international situation.
In a phone discussion with the President of the Chinese NOC, Gou Zhongwen, President Bach discussed a range of Olympic topics, including the success of the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022, as well as the current international situation.
At Olympic House, the IOC President met World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) President Witold Bańka. The two men addressed a wide range of topics related to protecting clean athletes, including the success of the anti-doping programmes for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Beijing 2022.
The IOC President held a meeting with Ukrainian NOC President and IOC Member Sergii Bubka to discuss the ongoing progress of the humanitarian assistance to the Ukrainian Olympic community and further projects in this respect.
Also at Olympic House, the IOC President received Petra Sörling for her first official visit as International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) President. During their meeting, they addressed a number of Olympic topics, including the preparations for the Olympic Games Paris 2024 and the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026 and discussed the humanitarian efforts being made to support Ukrainian athletes.
President Bach welcomed the President of the International Swimming Federation (FINA), Husain Al Musallam. Their discussions focused on the preparations for the aquatics competitions at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 and current Olympic topics.
At Olympic House, President Bach also met the President of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), Luc Tardiff. They talked about the success of the ice hockey tournament at the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 and the preparations for the competition at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.
President Bach also received Jean Todt, Honorary President of the International Automobile Federation (FIA) and a member of the IOC Commission for Public Affairs and Social Development through Sport.
President Bach discussed a wide range of Olympic topics with IOC Vice-President Ser Miang Ng, who is also Chair of the IOC Finance Commission.
This week at Olympic House, IOC President Thomas Bach welcomed former UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, who is also a member of the IOC Women in Sport Commission. Mrs Mlambo-Ngcuka expressed her appreciation to the IOC for its continuous efforts to advance gender equality both on and off the field of play. They both took part in an International Women’s Day Event organised by the IOC administration on the theme “The power of allyship” and aimed at continuing the dialogue about contributing to an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone feels safe and valued.
The IOC President welcomed the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Permanent Representative of Mongolia to the United Nations in Geneva, Lundeg Purevsuren, for his farewell visit.
On the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP), the IOC President joined the campaign of the Peace and Sport Organisation and raised a #WhiteCard as a sign of his commitment to peace in the world (see also under ‘Other Olympic News’).
On 7 April, the President sent a letter to the Beijing 2022 volunteers now that all of them have left quarantine following their Olympic experience. He thanked them for having been “an essential part in writing this great chapter in Olympic history”. “Just like the athletes, you demonstrated that we can only go faster, we can only aim higher, we can only become stronger, if we stand together – in solidarity”, he wrote. The full text of the letter can be found here.
This week, President Bach attended the farewell party for IOC Deputy Director General Pere Miró. He also attended a thank-you reception with the whole IOC administration in order to express his gratitude for all their efforts in making the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 a success.
On 6 April, the IOC announced that CBC/Radio-Canada, Canada’s national public broadcaster, has secured the exclusive broadcast rights in Canada for the following Olympic Games: Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, Los Angeles 2028, Olympic Winter Games 2030 (the host of which has yet to be selected) and Brisbane 2032. “This agreement demonstrates a commitment to the Olympic values, the Olympic Games and the development of sport. This agreement will support athletes at all levels in Canada and around the world”, said President Bach. Read the full news release here.
OTHER OLYMPIC NEWS
After almost 30 years spent at the IOC, Pere Miró retired from his position as Deputy Director General (for Relations with the Olympic Movement) on 31 March 2022 to start a new chapter in his life. It will be an active retirement, as he will continue to work as Senior Advisor to the IOC President. You can find out more here, through an interview published on ioc.org, about the career of an extraordinary man driven by his passion for sport and its values.
On the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP), celebrated on 6 April, the IOC looked at how sport and the Olympic Games have brought people together over the years, building bridges and fostering understanding. Read the full news release here. The IDSDP provides also an opportunity to look at some of the initiatives put in place to help the populations affected by displacement around the world. Whether it is young people fleeing war in Ukraine, Syria or elsewhere in the world, climate migrants from Bangladesh, or those who are looking for a place to belong, sport can provide relief, support integration and social cohesion, and foster hope. Discover these initiatives here.
To celebrate World Health Day on 7 April, which this year focused on keeping people and the planet healthy, the IOC looked at how past and future Games are helping create healthier environments for their host communities, boosting physical activity, showcasing climate solutions and promoting sustainable transport. In a tweet, the Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, thanked the IOC for its “teamwork to promote health, physical activity and healthy lifestyles for all in past and future Games. Together, for a #HealthierTomorrow!” Read the full news release here.
Art photography that showcases the role of sport as a catalyst for social development and peace, will be presented at an international art fair in Italy. Led by the Olympic Foundation for Culture and Heritage (OFCH), the exhibition opens at the Milan Image Art Fair (MIA) on 28 April and features 45 works by renowned Italian photographers Alex Majoli and Lorenzo Vitturi. The work is part of the “Olympism Made Visible” series, which explores the role of sport as a key driver of social development and peace. Full details here.
The IOC pays tribute to Professor Dr. Norbert Müller, who died mid-February at the age of 75. Dedicating a large part of his scientific work to promoting the historical and educational dimensions of Olympism, Müller significantly shaped the landscape of Olympic Education and Studies. Through his research on the historical and pedagogical aspirations of Pierre de Coubertin, he is considered one of the most important theoretical founders of Olympic Education who introduced the teaching of Olympism in schools. Among his numerous recognized works are the “One Hundred Years of Olympic Congresses”, The “Textes Choisis Pierre de Coubertin” and “Olympism – Selected Writings” which was also translated into various languages. Prof. Müller was a recognized lecturer, advisor and member of various institutions, commissions and committees, including the International Olympic Academy (IOA). He was appointed as the first individual member of the IOC Commission for the IOA in 1987 and remained as member of the IOC Commission for Culture and Olympic Heritage from 1994 until his death. Norbert Müller also chaired the International Pierre de Coubertin Committee (CIPC) (2002-2018). In 1997, he was presented with the Olympic Order.
INTERNATIONAL FEDERATIONS
SUMMER IFS
World Athletics, together with the International Athletics Foundation (IAF) and the Members of the Diamond League Association, has launched a Ukraine Fund to support professional athletes affected by the conflict in their home country. More details here.
An interactive digital platform for events has recently been launched by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Americas Regional Office. The “Digital Fanzone” features photos, videos, activations, statistics, a stadium map, ticket sales and more information to improve the experience of fans during the tournament. Full details here.
During an online board meeting on 2 April, the International Canoe Federation (ICF) awarded several 2026 world championships to Florida and Oklahoma (USA), underlining the continued growth of paddling sports in North America. A proposal for a first-ever combined canoe marathon and stand up paddling world championship in Sarasota, Florida, in 2026 was accepted. Sarasota also successfully bid for the 2026 ICF Junior and U23 Canoe Sprint World Championships, and the 2024 ICF Stand Up Paddling World Championships. In addition, the 2026 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships will go to Oklahoma. In addition, the 2026 ICF Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe World Championships will be held in Poznan (Poland).
Read about the other decisions here.
The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) has set aside a CHF 1 million Solidarity Relief Fund to provide support to the equestrian community in Ukraine. The FEI is also working closely with the Ukrainian Equestrian Federation (UEF) Charity Foundation. More info is available here.
The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) has announced the appointment of its commissions for 2022-2024 by its President, Watanabe Morinari, who is also an IOC Member. In addition to the Athletes’ Commission – the members of which are elected by the athletes – seven commissions have been established. These commissions revolve around four main pillars: governance, digital transformation, the Sustainable Development Goals, and Technical Matters. Full info here.
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) website has now been modernised, with more engaging content and a more appealing look and feel. The URL has been changed from FIH.ch to FIH.hockey, to better align with its global nature. More details here. In addition, since 1 April, before each match of the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup, a #HockeyForPeace board has been displayed on the pitch in front of the teams lining up for the national anthems (see picture). The event is being played from 1 to 12 April in Potchefstroom (South Africa). More info at www.fih.hockey.
The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) has announced that Hermosillo, Mexico, has been awarded the hosting rights of the V WBSC U-15 Baseball World Cup. The event is scheduled to take place from 26 August to 4 September later this year. Full details here.
NATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEES
On 5 April, National Journalists’ Day, the NOC of the Dominican Republic (COD) extended its congratulations to all journalists. In a message, NOC President Antonio Acosta underlined that journalists are important allies for the Olympic Movement. More details here.
The Lithuanian NOC has published the third feature piece as part of the second season of its HeForShe campaign, which promotes gender equality in sport. This time sailing is at the core. It tells the story of the friendship between Captain Rimantas Gutauskas and Kristina Ramonienė (photo) who, together with her husband, decided to learn to operate a yacht 12 years ago. Full details here. In a message published on the occasion of the IDSDP, the President of the Lithuanian NOC, IOC Member Daina Gudzinevičiūtė, underlined that sport is a strong force for change and unity, before inviting us to look at sport from a wider perspective and use this powerful tool to create a better and healthier society. Message posted on www.ltok.lt.
ORGANISING COMMITTEES FOR THE OLYMPIC GAMES
PARIS 2024
On the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, the Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024 and the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs organised a 24-hour sporting relay which passed through every continent and every time zone, involving the general public and figures from the world of sport, by engaging embassies and the overseas French departments, regions and territories (DROM-COM) bearing the “Terre de Jeux 2024” label. Over 8,000 participants, able-bodied and people with a disability alike, took part in this round-the-world relay, covering a distance of over 22,000 kilometres through the practice of 30 different sports. Approximately 40 athletes across the world joined the participants. Full details at www.paris2024.org.
RECOGNISED ORGANISATIONS
On the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, the President of the Association of the National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) and IOC Member, Mustapha Berraf, conveyed a message of peace and solidarity to the African and global sports community. More info at www.africaolympics.com.
8 April marks the Play True Day for Peace of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). This year, WADA has invited the global anti-doping community to stand with us in solidarity for peace. More info here.