Olympic Highlights 12/12/2022
IOC ACTIVITIES
PRESIDENT
The main items on the agenda of IOC President Thomas Bach this week were three days of meetings of the IOC Executive Board (EB) and the 11th Olympic Summit.
The IOC EB met from 5 to 7 December at Olympic House. The EB discussions, chaired by the IOC President, focused on the activities of the Olympic Movement, the IOC commissions and the IOC administration, as well as reports from the Organising Committees of the upcoming editions of the Olympic Games.
In the concluding press conference, the IOC President firstly laid out the conclusions of the EB discussions in terms of sanctions against the Russian and Belarusian states and governments before recalling what these sanctions include. The EB members unanimously reaffirmed the clear position of the IOC that these sanctions must remain firmly in place, and also unanimously reaffirmed the continuation of the IOC’s solidarity efforts for the Ukrainian athletes and the Ukrainian Olympic community. Secondly, he spoke of the debate by the IOC EB that lasted for several hours, which was about the participation of athletes with a Russian or Belarusian passport in international sports competitions. The EB members also took note that the IOC has received great encouragement and support to overcome this dilemma and to accomplish the unifying mission of peace, in particular in the last few weeks. Read the full news release here.
During the EB, the final report of the IOC’s Beijing 2022 Coordination Commission was published, detailing the achievements and learnings from delivering safe and successful Olympic Winter Games earlier this year. In addition to these successes, Beijing 2022 also provided an opportunity to further the IOC's ongoing aim of optimising Games delivery and experience. In this context, the report contains seven recommendations for the IOC's approach across all aspects of the Games. Click here for an explanation of these recommendations and the full report. You can also read the full news release here.
With regard to Paris 2024, the EB discussed the delivery model for the Olympic boxing competition and Olympic boxing qualifiers. Designed by the IOC in close collaboration with boxing experts, one of the main goals of the Olympic qualification system is to ensure a fair process for all NOCs. Full details here.
The EB approved the dates for the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Dakar 2026. The first Olympic event to be held on the African continent will officially start on 31 October 2026, with an Opening Ceremony on the first day of competition. The event will close on 13 November. Full info here.
The EB also heard a comprehensive report from the Future Host Commission for the Olympic Winter Games, under the leadership of IOC Member Octavian Morariu. This led to a wider discussion on climate change, sustainable winter sport, and future opportunities and challenges. Upon the request of the Commission, the EB decided to give the Commission more time to study the landscape of winter sport with a view to the election of the host of the Olympic Winter Games 2030 and beyond. Full news release here.
Concerning the International Boxing Association (IBA), the various concerns of the IOC around the IBA’s governance, its financial transparency and sustainability, and the integrity of its refereeing and judging processes are still ongoing. As a consequence, the IOC EB has sent another letter listing its concerns to IBA, following the one delivered in September 2022, informing it that the drastic change of culture requested by the IOC in order to lift the suspension of IBA’s recognition has not been implemented. The letter was shared with the NOCs and national boxing federations. Full news release here.
The EB received updates on the situation of the NOCs of Afghanistan, India, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and Guatemala, and took a number of decisions, which you can read here.
The EB has received a letter of resignation from IOC Member Patrick Hickey. In accordance with Rule 16.3.1 of the Olympic Charter, the IOC EB accepted the resignation of Mr Hickey for health reasons following the advice of his doctors. Read the full IOC statement here.
The IOC EB has also decided to propose to the IOC Session the election of the former President of the Swiss Confederation, Ulrich “Ueli” Maurer, as a member of the IOC Ethics Commission for a four-year term, starting on 1 January 2023. Full news release here.
On final of its meetings, the IOC EB discussed at length the state of the Olympic Movement in connection with the consequences of the war in Ukraine following the Russian invasion. These discussions, and those at the Olympic Summit are in preparation for extensive stakeholder consultations, which are planned for in early 2023.
At the invitation of the IOC, the leading representatives of the Olympic Movement met on Friday 9 December for the 11th Olympic Summit, which was held in person. Chaired by the IOC President, the Olympic Summit discussed the impact of the consequences of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the success of the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022, the upcoming Olympic Games Paris 2024, an update on the Olympic Winter Games 2030, and Games Optimisation. Also on the agenda were the Olympic Esports Week 2023, the Olympic Qualifier Series and Season and the topic of anti-doping. The Olympic Summit involves the leading representatives of the Olympic Movement, and 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 Olympic Summit declaration here.
This week the IOC President welcomed Chinese NOC President Gao Zhidan to Olympic House. They discussed a number of Olympic topics, including the success and legacy of the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 and Chinese athletes’ preparations for the next Olympic Games, as well as the international situation.
The President discussed various topics of mutual interest with the President of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF), Francesco Ricci Bitti.
The IOC President held meetings with IOC Vice-President John Coates, IOC EB members Nawal El Moutawakel and Gerardo Werthein, as well as with IOC Members Andrew Parsons and Watanabe Morinari. A wide range of Olympic topics, including the next editions of Olympic Games and Youth Olympic Games, were discussed during the meetings.
President Bach held a number of meetings on the sidelines of the Olympic Summit, including one with Russian Olympic Committee President Stanislav Pozdnyakov, to discuss issues of mutual interest.
The President also met with the President of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), Susanne Lyons, and USOPC President-elect Gene Sykes, who will take up his position on 1 January 2023. They talked about the forthcoming editions of the Olympic Games and preparations for the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028.
Following the EB meeting, President Bach presented three of his fellow Olympians in the EB with their diplomas and OLY insignia: Vice President Nicole Hoevertsz and members Denis Oswald and Nawal El Moutawakel, who also signed the Olympians Wall. Nicole Hoevertsz competed in the duet synchronised swimming event at the Olympic Games Los Angeles 1984. Denis Oswald won a bronze medal in rowing (four oars with coxswain) at the Olympic Games Mexico 1968, and took part in the two following editions: Munich 1972 and Montreal 1976. Nawal El Moutawakel became Olympic Champion in the 400m hurdles at the Olympic Games Los Angeles 1984.
OTHER OLYMPIC NEWS
On the occasion of International Anti-Corruption Day, celebrated worldwide on 9 December, the IOC reiterates its determination to protect sport’s integrity and fight corruption steadily and at all levels. Read here some concrete examples that showcase the IOC’s wide range of activities in this important field.
Skateistan, a non-profit organisation that uses skateboarding and education to empower children, especially young girls, finally received its award as World Winner of the IOC Women and Sport Awards 2020. The organisation’s founder, Oliver Percovich, and Deputy Executive Director Hala Khalaf, were presented with the trophy on 2 December 2022 at a reception ahead of the General Assembly of the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) in Baden-Baden. IOC Member Britta Heidemann presented the trophy to Skateistan (see photo), after the originally planned award ceremony in 2020 had to be cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Founded in 2008 in Kabul, Afghanistan, and headquartered in Berlin, Skateistan has developed several programmes using skateboarding to create safe environments where girls can overcome barriers and gain access to sport and education. “Skateistan is a shining example of how sport can contribute to societal change,” said Britta Heidemann. “It started in Afghanistan, where women are not allowed to practise sport. Skateistan helps young Afghan girls on their road to a better life. Skateboarding gives them self-confidence. It encourages them to shape their lives and it gives them hope for a better future.” Today, Skateistan runs programmes in ten countries around the world. Thousands of children, both girls and boys, take part. In his acceptance speech, Oliver Percovich stressed that girls and women all over the world have to overcome additional obstacles to gain access to safe spaces for sport. “We believe that that the self-confidence, the perseverance and the sense of belonging which is developed through sport is paving the way for our participants and employees to become leaders and role models for the next generation,” Percovich said. More info about the Women and Sport awards here.
Participants in MEMOS IX (Executive Masters in Sport Organisation Management) in French, from more than twenty different countries, presented their professional projects in public in the Auditorium of the Olympic Museum on 2 December. The day ended with the presentation of certificates of participation by Pere Miró, Special Advisor to the IOC President. You can find more info on the MEMOS programme here.
INTERNATIONAL FEDERATIONS
SUMMER IFS
On 5 December, World Athletics announced the names of the last four winners of its 2022 World Awards. World champions and world record-breakers Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (400m hurdles) of the USA and Armand ‘Mondo’ Duplantis (pole vault) of Sweden were named World Athletes of the Year. The winners of the Rising Stars awards are Serbian javelin thrower Adriana Vilagos and US sprinter Erriyon Knighton. McLaughlin-Levrone and Duplantis won Rising Stars awards just four years ago. Full details including all other Award winners here.
On 4 December, during a virtual ceremony, World Rowing revealed the winners of the 2022 World Rowing Awards. Romania’s Women’s Double Sculls team, Simona Radis and Ancuta Bodnar, were named Women’s Crew of the Year. The Men’s Crew of the Year award went to French crew Matthieu Androdias and Hugo Boucheron (double sculls). Ukraine’s success in Para Rowing saw Vyacheslav Zagreba take the title of Coach of the Year 2022. Great Britain won the Para Crew of the Year award. Double Olympic champion (skiff) Mahé Drysdale of New Zealand was awarded the Thomas Keller Medal, and Denis Masseglia, former President of the French Rowing Federation and former member of the World Rowing Council, was distinguished for his service to international rowing. The ceremony was live-streamed on World Rowing’s YouTube channel. Full details here.
The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and all the stakeholders in the international cycling community have decided to further strengthen the capacity of the International Testing Agency (ITA) to protect cyclists and the integrity of their sport from 2023. Funding for the ITA-led anti-doping programme for road cycling will increase by 35% in the next two years. The funding will go towards reinforcing the agency’s capacities in intelligence and investigations, testing, science, data analysis, long-term sample storage and sample re-analysis. Full info here.
The Greek capital, Athens, is set to host the 3rd FINA World Youth Artistic Swimming Championships from 30 August to 3 September 2023. Over 200 artistic swimmers aged from 13 to 15 years old from more than 30 countries are expected to compete. The five-day event will take place at the Spyros Louis Aquatic Centre in the Athens Olympic Sport Complex. The facility, built for the Olympic Games Athens 2004, is now home to the Hellenic Swimming Federation. Full details on the International Swimming Federation (FINA) website here.
Held in Amman, Jordan from 4 to 6 December, the first ever ITTF (International Table Tennis Federation) Summit brought together all the stakeholders of the table tennis community to exchange and discuss the future of the sport. Six panels and keynote speakers addressed a range of topics, including how the IF can best support its athletes, and how to be a steward for a sustainable future. During the ITTF Annual General Meeting which concluded the summit, Doha, Qatar was elected as host for the 2025 World Table Tennis Championships. More details here. In addition, the President of the Jordan Olympic Committee (JOC) and IOC EB member Prince Feisal Al-Hussein addressed the ITTF AGM in a video message. He hailed the global appeal of table tennis and reiterated the importance of safeguarding in sport. Details here on the JOC website. Several key commissions also met in Amman. After being greeted by Prince Feisal Al-Hussein, the Executive Committee discussed the “Home of Table Tennis” plan, and how best to relaunch it after the enforced hiatus of COVID-19. The Board of Directors selected the hosts for the World Youth Championships in 2023 and 2024. The Athletes’ Commission elected two chairs for the first time. Sharath Kamal Achanta and Liu Shiwen were elected joint Commission chairs as part of the ITTF’s drive for gender parity at more levels in the federation. In addition, the ITTF named Karine Teow as its first Sustainability Manager. On 5 December, the ITTF Foundation announced that World Table Tennis Day 2023 will be celebrated under the theme “Think sustainably, act now.”
World Triathlon and the Saudi Triathlon Federation organised the first-ever Para triathlon coaches’ certification and development camp in the region. The camp took place in Al Khobar (Saudi Arabia) with participants from six countries. For three days, athletes and coaches from Lebanon, Kuwait, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, UAE and Saudi Arabia shared best practices and coaching techniques, and discussed how to promote the sport and maximise engagement in their regions, with a view to increasing the number of countries practising Para triathlon. More details here.
NATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEES
On 8th December, the Georgian NOC launched a new publication, “Georgian Olympic Champions”, by Elguja Berishvili (left on photo), the NOC’s First Vice President. To celebrate the 70th anniversary of Georgian athletes’ first participation in the Olympic Games, the NOC has produced a two-volume work on Olympic Champions. The project was supported by Olympic Solidarity. NOC President Leri Khabelov (right on photo), NOC members, Olympic champions and distinguished guests were present at the ceremony. More info at www.geonoc.org.ge. In addition, all the successful participants in the Advanced Sport Management Courses organised with IOC support in 2022 were welcomed to the NOC headquarters. This year, 17 participants out of a total 21 completed the course requirements and obtained Diplomas in Management of Olympic Sport Organisations.
The Kosovo Olympic Committee, through the Women and Sport Commission and in cooperation with UN Women and the UNKT (United Nations Kosovo Team), recently hosted a forum on the topic “Empowering girls and women to prevent abuse in sports”. NOC President Ismet Krasniqi and the UN Women Coordinator Arnhild Spence opened the forum, which took the form of a panel discussion. Among the panellists were Daulina Osmani, Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Edi Gusia, Chief Executive Officer of the Agency for Gender Equality, and Ulpiana Emra, former basketball player, now a sports journalist and commentator. The panellists and participants, most of whom were federation and club members, discussed the prevention of abuse in sports in Kosovo, gave recommendations and addressed the best ways to report cases. Detailed info here.
Awards for the Most Active Lithuanian Physical Education Teachers were recently presented at a ceremony held at the offices of the Lithuanian President. Initiated by the NOC of Lithuania, the aim of the awards is to honour teachers who make a significant contribution to promoting physical activity in Lithuania. Their work includes organising and conducting lessons, applying innovative methods to the education of the younger generation, working with educational institutions and organising local, national and international events. During the ceremony, the laureates were congratulated by First Lady Diana Nausėdienė, Vice-Minister of Education, Science and Sport Linas Obcarskas and the NOC President and IOC Member Daina Gudzinevičiūtė. Full details here.
Recognised organisations
On 8 December, the new Executive Council of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) met for the first time in a hybrid format at the ANOC headquarters in Lausanne. ANOC President Robin Mitchell opened the meeting, during which the participants discussed the ANOC Commissions for 2023, whose composition is currently under review. It was agreed that Continental Associations would be involved in recommending individuals to sit on the various commissions. Full details here.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has announced that online registration is now open for its 2023 Annual Symposium, which will take place on 14 and 15 March 2023 at the SwissTech Convention Center in Lausanne. This 17th edition of the Symposium will be held under the theme “United toward a world of doping-free sport”. Full details here.
Panathlon International, together with the P.I.- Domenico Chiesa Cultural Foundation, the Foundation for Sport of the Reggio Emilia Municipality, and with the collaboration of the “Palazzo Magnani” Foundation, announced a new photo contest for 2023 on the theme “Identity and Sport”. For more information about the contest (entry is free, and open until 28 February 2023) click here.