Olympic Highlights 11/12/2023
IOC
PRESIDENT
This week, the agenda of IOC President Thomas Bach included a meeting of the Executive Board (EB) and the 12th Olympic Summit, as well as conference calls and several other meetings.
At the invitation of the IOC, the leading representatives of the Olympic Movement met on 5 December for the 12th Olympic Summit, which was held at Olympic House in Lausanne. Chaired by the IOC President, the Olympic Summit discussed the peace mission of the Olympic Movement, welcoming the United Nations Resolution “Building a peaceful and better world through sport and the Olympic ideal”. They also reiterated the call by the Olympic Movement to all political leaders in the world to “give peace a chance”. The Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024, the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, future Games and esports were also discussed, as were the topics of anti-doping, the politicisation of sport, digital engagement and safeguarding. The Olympic Summit forms part of the ongoing dialogue and consultation on subjects of significance for the future of the Olympic Movement. Read the full text of the Summit communiqué here.
Following the Summit, the IOC President held consultation calls with the IOC Members, the NOCs, the IFs and the global network of athletes’ representatives to exchange points of view and discuss the Summit’s conclusions.
On 8 December, the IOC President chaired a remote meeting of the IOC EB from Olympic House to discuss the outcomes and feedback from the consultation calls held earlier. The EB has decided that Individual Neutral Athletes (AINs) who have qualified through the existing qualification systems of the International Federations on the field of play will be declared eligible to compete at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 in accordance with a number of strict eligibility conditions (see full press release here). Individual Neutral Athletes are athletes with a Russian or Belarusian passport. The strict eligibility conditions based on the recommendations issued by the IOC EB on 28 March 2023 for International Federations and international sports events organisers will be applied. IOC Vice-President Ser Miang Ng was present in Lausanne.
This week in Lausanne, the IOC President attended the inauguration of the new headquarters of World Triathlon, whose President is IOC Member Marisol Casado. Also present at the ceremony were Francesco Ricci Bitti, President of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF), and Émilie Moeschler, a representative from the City of Lausanne. Read the full news release here on World Triathlon’s website. Earlier, the President welcomed a World Triathlon delegation as part of a courtesy visit to Olympic House.
With International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) President Johan Eliasch, President Bach discussed a number of Olympic topics, including the preparations for the upcoming Winter Youth Olympic Games Gangwon 2024 and Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.
At Olympic House, President Bach had a meeting with ASOIF President Francesco Ricci Bitti. The two leaders discussed the Olympic Summit, the upcoming editions of the Olympic Games and the international situation and its impact on sport.
President Bach met Chinese NOC President Gao Zhidan, to whom he reiterated his congratulations on the success of the 19th Asian Games, Hangzhou 2022, and whom he thanked for the warm welcome he received during his visit to Hangzhou. They discussed a number of Olympic topics, including the geopolitical situation and its impact on sport.
The preparations for the Olympic Games Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028 and the international situation were discussed during a meeting with the President of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, Gene Sykes.
Also this week, the IOC President had a meeting with Panam Sports Vice-President Jimena Saldaña.
The IOC President met the President of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), Witold Bańka, who was accompanied by WADA Director General Olivier Niggli. They discussed the excellent collaboration between their organisations to strengthen the fight against doping and protect clean athletes.
At Olympic House, the President presented a diploma and OLY pin to table tennis Olympians Tianwei Feng from Singapore and Sharath Kamal Achanta from India. Currently an IOC Athletes’ Department intern, Feng won three Olympic medals (one silver at the Beijing 2008 Games and two bronze at the London 2012 Games) and also competed at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020. An International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Athletes’ Commission Co-Chair, Kamal competed in four Olympic Games (Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020). The two athletes and their fellow Olympian Liu Shiwen, who is the other Co-Chair of the ITTF Athletes’ Commission, signed the Olympians Wall. Earlier, the IOC President welcomed the members of the ITTF Executive Board, who were meeting at Olympic House, with newly elected IOC Member Petra Sörling chairing the meeting. Seung-min Ryu, an ITTF Board member and IOC Member, was also present. The main topics of discussion were the excellent partnership between the IOC and the ITTF, preparations for the table tennis competitions at the Olympic Games Paris 2024, and the international situation. See also the news story on the ITTF website.
President Bach also welcomed the President of the International Olympic Academy (IOA), Isidoros Kouvelos, during a courtesy visit to Olympic House.
This week, President Bach met representatives from the NOCs of Algeria, Barbados, Czechia, Malawi, New Zealand, Qatar and Saudi Arabia who took part in the IOC Immersion Programme. The Immersion Programme was launched by the IOC in December 2022 and allows NOC staff members to familiarise themselves with IOC operations, but also to share their expertise and best practices with IOC employees who have similar functions and responsibilities.
The IOC President addressed the graduates from the International Academy of Sports Science and Technology (AISTS)’s Class of 2023, who were gathered at the Olympic Museum. Congratulating the diploma recipients, the President reminded them that the sports world needs the expertise of people as well trained and prepared as they are to pursue the mission of making the world a better place through sport.
The President also held meetings in Lausanne with IOC EB members Robin Mitchell and Emma Terho; IOC Members Tricia Smith, Seung-min Ryu, Spyros Capralos, Mustapha Berraf and Jae Youl Kim; and IOC Honorary Member Habu Gumel. Their discussions focused on various topical Olympic matters, including the next Olympic Games and Youth Olympic Games.
HONORARY MEMBERS
It was with profound sadness that the IOC learnt of the passing of James L. Easton, an IOC Honorary Member, at the age of 88. Mr Easton was a long-serving Member of the IOC from 1994 to 2015, when he became an Honorary Member, and his tenure as President of World Archery (formerly FITA) from 1989 to 2005 showcased his leadership prowess and unwavering commitment to the growth of the sport on a global scale. President Bach said: “James Easton is the one who laid the groundwork for the significant growth that the sport has achieved. His contribution to the sport he loved is immense, and he leaves behind a legacy that will continue to support and inspire generations.” Beyond the sporting arena, Mr Easton's philanthropic endeavours underscored his commitment to the values of Olympism. He started the charitable Easton Foundations in 2006 to develop archery at the grassroots level, and was the founding donor of the World Archery Development Foundation, which manages the World Archery Excellence Centre in Lausanne. Read the full news release here.
OTHER OLYMPIC NEWS
With International Anti-Corruption Day being celebrated worldwide on 9 December, take a look here at how the IOC is reiterating its commitment to protecting the integrity of all events and the athletes through a range of educational and awareness-raising measures at the Winter Youth Olympic Games Gangwon 2024, which begin in less than two months’ time. Find also here some highlights of the IOC’s work that showcase the wide range of activities it has undertaken to protect sport’s integrity and fight corruption in sport, at all levels.
INTERNATIONAL FEDERATIONS
SUMMER IFS
International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF)
During its meeting at Olympic House in Lausanne, the ITTF Executive Board announced an inaugural VR Table Tennis World-Title Event scheduled for 2024. The ITTF will now actively seek partners to collaborate in delivering this spectacular event in the second half of 2024. VR table tennis gained international recognition when it was featured as an exhibition sport at Olympic Esports Week in Singapore in June 2023. In addition, the ITTF Group, comprising the ITTF as the governing body, World Table Tennis as the commercial entity and the ITTF Foundation as the humanitarian organisation, has declared 2024-2025 as the “Diversity and Inclusion” theme years. Full details here.
International Tennis Federation (ITF)
The ITF Board of Directors has appointed four Vice Presidents to serve the 2023-27 term following its meeting in Malaga, Spain, in November. Bulat Utemuratov (Kazakhstan) has been re-appointed as Vice President. He is joined by Brian Hainline (USA), Salma Mouelhi Guizani (Tunisia) and Rafael Westrupp (Brazil). All four ITF Vice Presidents also serve as presidents of their national tennis federations. More info here.
International Volleyball Federation (FIVB)
The FIVB has recently launched a comprehensive volleyball calendar for 2025-2028. The new calendar has been developed in close consultation over the past year and a half with all key stakeholders, including athletes, coaches, Continental Confederations, National Federations, major national leagues, key media rights-holders and commercial partners. More details here, including the full calendar.
World Athletics
World Athletics has revealed the first winners of its 2023 World Athletics Awards. Laurent Meuwly has received the Coaching Achievement Award. The Swiss coach has dedicated almost three decades to guiding athletes, having started coaching at the age of just 18. Falilatou Tchanile-Salifou has been named Woman of the Year. She launched a series of transformative initiatives throughout 2023 that have left a lasting impact on Togo's sports landscape. The World Athletics Photograph of the Year award went to freelance photographer Mattia Ozbot for his image of German decathlete Leo Neugebauer competing at the Budapest 23 World Athletics Championships, while Athletics Australia was named winner of the Member Federation Award.
World Sailing
World Sailing has joined forces with the Brazilian Sailing Federation, to implement sustainability initiatives in Brazil which will put the 2023 Youth Sailing World Championships (to be held in Búzios from 8 to 16 December) on course to be a carbon-neutral event. The initiatives will have a positive long-term impact on the environment, show how sailing can draw attention to greater issues facing coastal communities, and reinforce World Sailing’s commitment to creating a legacy of positive environmental and social change. Find out more about these initiatives here. The names of the Race Officials who have been appointed for the Paris 2024 Olympic sailing competition have been announced. There are 59 International Technical Officials from 33 nations. The announcement includes a 50-50 gender split in the key Technical Delegate and Chief/Vice-Chief positions. Full details here.
World Triathlon
The World Triathlon Executive Board has decided to award the 2026 World Triathlon Multisport Championships to Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), while the 2027 edition will be held in Edmonton (Canada). World Triathlon has also confirmed that the 2024 Mixed Relay Championships will be held in Hamburg (Germany) in July. Full info here.
NATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEES
Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee (CTOC)
CTOC President Hong-Dow Lin has recently been awarded two honorary doctorate degrees, one from National Dong Hwa University and the other from National Sport University. He received them in recognition of his successful management of international relations and his long-term commitment and support for sport in Chinese Taipei. His unwavering dedication to the advancement of sport in Chinese Taipei has not only elevated the nation's standing on the global sporting stage but has also inspired countless individuals to pursue excellence in athletics and sports administration. More info at www.tpenoc.net.
Moroccan NOC (CNOM)
The Royal Moroccan Rowing Federation recently organised a technical course for coaches and judges in Rabat, which brought together 30 participants. The aim of the course was to develop coastal rowing in the framework of Olympic Solidarity programmes. More info here. In addition, the CNOM organised an Olympic tour for pupils from Al Jabr school in Bouskoura. During the tour, a video looking back at the history of Morocco’s participation in the Olympic Games was shown, and a presentation on skateboarding was delivered. The CNOM also presented the school with a smart painting featuring a collage design of all the Moroccan Olympic champions. More details here.
ORGANISING COMMITTEES FOR THE YOUTH OLYMPIC GAMES
GANGWON 2024
With only 50 days to go to the Winter Youth Olympic Games Gangwon 2024, the volunteers were celebrated, and Gangwon 2024 Ambassador Park Jae-min and K-actor Lee Dong-wook were appointed “honorary volunteers”, at Seoul Olympic Parktel, Republic of Korea. This ceremony, the first official gathering since the volunteers' selection, welcomed over 100 volunteers, and included the appointment of honorary volunteer leaders, a pledge by volunteer representatives, a dance presentation featuring the official song, “We Go High”, and a lunch for the volunteers. Read the full news release here.
RECOGNISED ORGANISATIONS
Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF)
ASOIF has published the International Federation Anti-Doping Expenditure and Strategy Report, which takes stock of developments in this most important area. All the 33 ASOIF member IFs participated in this study, sharing critical insights into how federations run anti-doping operations today, and future strategic plans. The report aims to assess progress, identify challenges and opportunities, reveal trends, and optimise strategies and support for the fight against doping. More info here.
SportAccord
The 2024 SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit has announced its first wave of high-profile speakers. The seven leading experts, unveiled on 5 December, will address some of the biggest challenges and opportunities in global sport with over 1,500 delegates at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham, Great Britain, from 7 to 11 April 2024. The Summit’s theme will be “The Power of Sport”. See the news release here.
Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC)
On 6 December, the ANOC Executive Council (EC) held its final meeting of 2023 in Lausanne under the chairmanship of ANOC President Robin Mitchell. The EC approved the resolution of the 12th Olympic Summit. An update was provided on the cancellation of the ANOC World Beach Games Bali 2023. The EC approved the proposal to create a special Working Group to analyse the Games concept and ensure that it is delivering maximum value to NOCs and their athletes, as well as IFs and other stakeholders. Updates were also given on the ANOC.tv project and the NOC Photo programme. More details here. ANOC has also released the third edition of its Newsletter. This month, the theme is Digital Transmission. Click here to read it.
International Olympic Academy (IOA)
The IOA President, Isidoros Kouvelos, met in Bahrain with the Secretary General of the Bahrain Olympic Committee and Vice-President of the National Olympic Academy, Faris Mustafa Al-Kooheji, in connection with the agreement to launch the Olympic Studies Diploma Programme, which has been organised by the IOA, for the Secretaries General and officials of sports organisations in Bahrain. The programme courses, as agreed, will start in January and will last for eight weeks, until the end of June 2024. During the meeting, it was also agreed that the IOA would host 40 young students at its premises in Ancient Olympia (Greece), on dates to be decided in due course. Full details here.
International Committee of Mediterranean Games (ICMG)
The ICMG has announced that its General Assembly, held in Heraklion, Crete, in September before the opening of the Mediterranean Coastal Games, approved the amendments to the ICMG Charter proposed by Prof. Francesco Purromuto. See the new Charter here.
International Paralympic Committee (IPC)
On 3 December, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the IPC asked Para-athletes some of the web’s most asked questions about people with disabilities. Discover their answers here.
World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)
WADA has published the 2024 membership of its three Standing Committees, namely the Education Committee; the Finance and Administration Committee; and the Health, Medical and Research Committee. In addition, the membership of the five Permanent Special Committees has also been released. Full details here. WADA has opened online registration for its 2024 Annual Symposium to be held on 12 and 13 March at the SwissTech Convention Centre in Lausanne. The Symposium will be held in a hybrid format. More info here.