Olympic Highlights 16/03/2023
IOC
From 28 February to 11 March, the IOC President, Thomas Bach, paid a visit to Caribbean and Central American NOCs.
The IOC President began his visit in Costa Rica on 28 February. He was greeted in the country's capital, San José, by IOC member Laura Chinchilla and by the President of the NOC, Alexander Zamora. He was also joined by the President of Panam Sports and IOC member, Neven Ilic, who accompanied the President throughout the entire tour of the region.
The first stop was the NOC headquarters, where he had the opportunity to meet and speak with athletes and young people from a range of sports who also took part in a number of sports demonstrations. The centre, supported by Olympic Solidarity, has accommodation where athletes can stay during training and preparation for competition. The President also had a meeting with the Executive Board of the NOC in which they discussed the prospects for the upcoming Pan American Games in Chile and the Olympic Games Paris 2024. At a lunch organised by the NOC, the President met a number of Costa Rican NOC members and Olympians.
Later, the President met Mary Munive, Vice President of the Republic and Sports Minister, with whom he discussed the contribution of sport to society and the support for Olympic sports and athletes in Costa Rica. He finished the visit with a dinner with NOC members, athletes and local sponsors of the National Olympic Committee.
Arriving in Havana, Cuba, on 2 March, President Bach was met by IOC member Maria de la Caridad Colón Ruenes, and Roberto León Richards Aguiar, NOC President. They attended a joint meeting of the Cuban NOC and the Cuban Athletes’ Commission. They were able to discuss their situation and future plans.
After a visit to the newly refurbished headquarters of the Cuban NOC, there was a visit to the Coliseo de la Ciudad Deportiva, where the IOC President met a number of Olympic Solidarity scholarship-holders and other athletes and watched a sports demonstration. The day ended with a dinner hosted by the Deputy Prime Minister of Cuba, Jorge Luis Perdomo Di-Lella.
The next day, the President attended the newly refurbished national stadium, funded by Olympic Solidarity and Panam Sport. He watched a range of track and field sports being demonstrated. Also present was Cuban 800m and 400m Olympic champion Alberto Juantorena.
Finally, in Cuba, President Bach met the President of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel. They discussed the contribution that sport can make to society, and the challenges Cuban athletes are facing in their preparations for the upcoming Pan American Games and the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
Arriving in Jamaica on 3 March, President Bach was welcomed by the President of the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA), Christopher Samuda, members of the Executive Committee and some of the presidents of national sports federations.
At a sports demonstration the next day, the President met athletes from Olympic and non-Olympic sports. After the sports demonstration, the President spent more than an hour speaking with members of the JOA's Athletes’ Commission and Olympians. They discussed the upcoming Olympic Games Paris 2024 and qualification events, as well as a number of other issues concerning athletes, from post-competition transition to the various support programmes being offered to athletes by Olympic Solidarity.
The next stop was the Dominican Republic, where President Bach was welcomed in the capital, Santo Domingo, on 5 March by IOC member Luis Mejía Oviedo and the President of the NOC, Garibaldy Bautista.
On arrival he was welcomed at a dinner by the President of CRESO [Creando Suenos Olimpicos], Felipe Vicini Lluberes. The organisation brings together the leading companies to assist Olympic athletes in the country. It was an opportunity to discuss the assistance being given to the country’s athletes during and after their sporting careers.
The next day, on a visit to the headquarters of the NOC, the President met the Executive Board and there was a presentation and discussion of their work. He then met Olympic Solidarity scholarship-holders from the country and a number of young athletes, who spoke about the many issues they are facing. Later, the President inaugurated the new Centro Caribe Sport headquarters in Santo Domingo.
Before leaving the Dominican Republic, President Bach met the President of the country, Luis Abinader. They discussed the role of sport in society and its importance during the pandemic, and in particular the importance of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, in this respect. President Bach thanked President Abinader for his support for the United Nation resolution of 1 December (“Sport as an enabler of Sustainable Development”). President Abinader emphasised that his government wished to play an even more active role on this level, particularly with the “Friends of Sport” group at the United Nations.
Arriving in Puerto Rico on 7 March, President Bach was welcomed by the President of the NOC, Sara Rosario, and IOC member Richard Carrión. At the headquarters of the NOC, Casa Olímpica, President Bach met the NOC Executive Board before meeting the Athletes’ Commission for an extensive Q&A session. The evening saw a celebration of the 75th anniversary of the recognition of the NOC of Puerto Rico.
To celebrate International Women's Day on 8 March, the President met a group of 70 female leaders and athletes. They discussed the role of women in sport and the many projects for empowerment. Later in the day, he attended various sports demonstrations and had a chance to meet and talk with many young athletes from the country.
After meeting the Acting Head of State, Lieutenant Governor Omar Marrero, in San Juan, President Bach headed for a Puerto Rican school for young athletes where he met hundreds of pupils who are able to study whilst having the chance to train for their sports. Earlier, he was at the Albergue Olímpico, which also houses the Olympic Museum.
In Barbados on 8 March, President Bach was welcomed by the President of the NOC, Sandra Osborne, and IOC honorary member Sir Austin Sealy. Before touring a number of sports facilities and meeting many young athletes, the President met Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley and President Sandra Mason. With the Prime Minister, the IOC President discussed the very positive development of sport in Barbados.
President Bach was also happy to hear that, in her UN role as Co-Chair of the Sustainable Development Goals Advocates Group, the Prime Minister also very much appreciated the Olympic Movement's role in delivering the Sustainable Development Goals. The two agreed on close cooperation in this respect.
The next day, the President opened the National Primary Schools Athletic Championships (NAPSAC) in Bridgetown. Hundreds of pupils were in attendance for the finals, which brought together young athletes from all over the island. President Bach was able to meet many of them and presented the first medals.
The last leg of the visit to the region took President Bach to Aruba on 10 March, where he was welcomed by IOC Vice-President Nicole Hoevertsz and NOC President Wanda Broeksema. Arriving in Aruba, the President met the Governor of the island, J A Boekhoudt, and then the island’s Council of Ministers, headed by the country’s Prime Minister, Evelyn Wever-Croes. They discussed the important role that sport can play in society to instil values with regard to education, health and sustainable development.
Later, the President met the Executive Board of the NOC and also took part in discussions with the local business community and sponsors. The next day, he officially opened the new NOC headquarters and took part in the celebrations that included sports demonstrations by hundreds of young athletes from the island in 16 different sports.
MEMBERS
IOC Executive Board member and Deputy Chair of the IOC’s Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commission Prince Feisal Al Hussein, who is also President of the Jordan Olympic Committee, attended the Panam Sports Women in Sport Conference. During his keynote speech, he emphasised the importance of safeguarding for the future of sport and encouraged every NOC in the Panam region to have staff dedicated to safeguarding. He said: “They can become the centre for your work on ensuring safeguarding exists. Not just within NOCs, but they can help implement programmes that clubs and federations can use so that we can get the word out.” He added: “We have to work together in order to stop harassment and abuse from happening in sport and to make it a safe environment.” More details here (see also under “Recognised Organisations” ).
OTHER OLYMPIC NEWS
The theme for International Women’s Day 2023 was “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”, which highlights the need for inclusive and transformative technology and digital education to empower girls and women. One project being supported by the IOC and its Olympism365 strategy in working towards this goal is Sportic, a Latin America-based initiative that combines sport and technology to foster the socio-emotional development of local children and teenagers. To date, over 8,000 children, typically between the ages of 12 and 18, have participated in Sportic’s activities across Argentina, Colombia and Ecuador. Find out more about the Sportic project here. Read also here the IOC tribute to those who are often behind the scenes, on the sidelines and rarely in the headlines. Yet their role is at the heart of sport. On International Women’s Day, the IOC celebrated female coaches who are paving the way for future generations.
The IOC continues to lead the Olympic Movement’s efforts to support Ukrainian athletes. Its USD 7.5 million Solidarity Fund will help them prepare for the Olympic Games Paris 2024 and the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. To date, approximately 3,000 Ukrainian athletes and coaches have benefited from this support and the direct assistance of NOCs and IFs, allowing them to continue to train and compete in major events, including the World Athletics Championships, the World Games and the Summer European Youth Olympic Festival. Full news release here.
Read here the updated Q&A on Solidarity with Ukraine, sanctions against Russia and Belarus, and the status of athletes from these countries.
From 28 February to 3 March 2023, Media Rights-Holders gathered in Milan to attend the inaugural Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) World Broadcaster Briefing for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. With the Games three years away, the meeting was an invaluable opportunity for Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS), the Milano Cortina 2026 Organising Committee and the Media Rights-Holders to convene in person, and visit select competition venues and the International Broadcast Centre (IBC), while also discussing the progress of the Games' preparations and the development of the broadcast operation and coverage plan. Full news release here.
On 1 March, the IOC announced details of the Olympic Esports Series 2023, a global virtual and simulated sports competition created by the IOC in collaboration with IFs and game publishers. The winners will be crowned at live finals in Singapore from 22 to 25 June. Full details here.
INTERNATIONAL FEDERATIONS
SUMMER IFS
International Basketball Federation (FIBA)
Singapore will host the FIBA Intercontinental Cup under three-year partnership. The partnership agreed by FIBA and Sport Singapore expands the event to also involve Asia for the first time and better reflects the modern club basketball landscape. The Singapore Sports Hub is destined to become the first-ever venue in Asia to host the FIBA Intercontinental Cup as it will provide the stage for the 33rd edition of the event, from 21 to 24 September. Full info here.
International Canoe Federation (ICF)
On International Women’s Day, the ICF announced a symposium to increase the number of women involved at every level of canoe sports. Taking place on 26 and 27 September, the ICF Women Symposium will tackle issues of leadership, coaching and increasing female participation both on and off the water. More details here. Read also here an open letter from ICF President, Thomas Konietzko, recognising the important role women have played in growing the sport of canoe, and the work still to be done to achieve equality. Furthermore, at the end of February, the ICF President, its Vice-President Lluis Rabaneda and its Secretary General Richard Pettit paid a three-day visit to Queensland, where they met Brisbane 2032 CEO Cindy Hook. The ICF trio also visited proposed sites for the canoe slalom and canoe sprint competitions, including a potential new canoe slalom venue in Redlands, south of Brisbane. More info here.
International Equestrian Federation (FEI)
The FEI has announced that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have qualified teams for the equestrian jumping competitions at the Olympic Games Paris 2024. Qualification was achieved at the FEI Designated Olympic Qualification Event for Africa and the Middle East held in Doha (Qatar) on 27 February. This brings the number of jumping teams qualified for Paris 2024 to nine, including host nation France. Qualifications continue with a Designated Event for Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia to be held in Prague (Czech Republic) in July. More details here.
International Gymnastics Federation (FIG)
During its meeting in Lausanne on 1 and 2 March, the FIG Executive Committee approved a package of aid for the gymnastics federations of Syria and Türkiye following the tragic earthquake that shook the region in early February. It was also decided to confirm the measures taken on 26 February 2022 and 4 March 2022, in particular the measure according to which Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials, including judges, are not allowed to take part in FIG competitions or FIG-sanctioned competitions until further notice. All info about the other decisions can be found here.
International Hockey Federation (FIH)
On International Women’s Day, the FIH published interviews with five women (see who they are here) who have inspired hockey fans all around the world with their exceptional dedication to various aspects of hockey. From running the biggest event in hockey as tournament director, just a few months after retiring from a playing career, to leading a nation to constant new highs, all of these women, in their own way, provide inspiration to others by the weight of their achievements.
International Judo Federation (IJF)
The IJF has organised its first round table on gender equality in judo, led by Sanda Corak, IJF Executive Committee member and Chair of the Gender Equality Commission. Held on International Women's Day, this first round table of many brought together more than 20 participants from several European and African national federations. The participants were welcomed by IJF President Marius Vizer. Full info here.
International Tennis Federation (ITF)
On International Women’s Day 2023, the ITF issued a call for men in leadership positions across tennis to play their part in its drive for gender equality in the sport by becoming Advantage All Male Allies. The Men as Allies programme is a key element of the ITF Advantage All gender equality strategy. ITF President and IOC Member Dave Haggerty renewed his appeal for other male leaders and influencers in tennis to advocate for women in senior roles across leadership, coaching and officiating. Full details here.
International Volleyball Federation (FIVB)
On 8 March, the FIVB celebrated women at every level of the sport, from the athletes who inspire women and girls across the globe through sporting excellence to those governing volleyball, who are serving as role models for future leaders of the sport. Read here about how on and off the court, the FIVB strives to ensure gender equality in volleyball. In addition, the FIVB and the International Testing Agency (ITA) are inviting all members of the global volleyball family to participate in a five-part multi-lingual seminar series tackling anti-doping, the principles of clean sport, doping control processes and out-of-competition testing. More info here about these webinars, which will run from 5 April to 3 May.
Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI)
The UCI and the organisers of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships have signed a Ride Together Pledge committing to create an inclusive, diverse and accessible event in Glasgow and across Scotland from 3 to 13 August 2023. The Pledge supports the key principles of the event’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Framework, using the platform of a global event as a catalyst for change, in addition to delivering an event that has inclusion at its core. More details here.
International Modern Pentathlon Union (UIPM)
The UIPM Athletes, Technical and Coaches Committees held their annual joint meeting in Frankfurt (Germany) at the end of February. The decisions included the launch of a new Youth League from the 2024 season, to introduce UIPM Obstacle Laser Run. Full commitment was given to delivering a successful riding competition at the Olympic Games Paris 2024. A push for more gender equality across coach and judge certification courses was also discussed. Full details here. In addition, 16 coaches undertook recently Level 1 of the UIPM Coaches Certification Programme (CCP) in the Ugandan capital of Kampala. The course was organised in cooperation with Olympic Solidarity and was the first of five CCP courses in Africa in 2023 as the UIPM continues to invest resources in the continent. More details here.
World Archery (WA)
WA has opened nominations for its relaunched gender equity awards to mark International Women’s Day in 2023. First awarded in 2009 as the Women’s Award, the new Gender Equity Award will be presented at each WA Congress to individuals – irrelevant of gender – who have made a significant impact in providing equal opportunities or effecting meaningful change towards equality, in any role, within the sport of archery. The successful candidates will be honoured at the 2023 Congress in Berlin, Germany, in July. At the following Congress in 2025, a new Equal Opportunities Award will be launched to recognise federations that have made significant progress towards gender equity. Full info here.
World Athletics
World Athletics will take a significant number of new steps towards gender equality in its sport in 2023, including having 40 per cent female representation on the World Athletics Council. These steps are outlined in a series of new and impactful pledges published in celebration of International Women’s Day, which include implementing individual safeguarding policies in each of its 214 Member Federations, and the extension of its Ukraine Solidarity Fund – enabling dozens of female Ukrainian athletes to take part in World Athletics Series events. Full details here, including a description of the new pledges.
World Rowing
World Rowing representatives were recently in Southern California to visit the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games headquarters. They discussed, amongst other topics, the collaboration between LA28, World Rowing and US Rowing in the years leading up to the Games. World Rowing was represented by President Jean-Christophe Rolland and Vice President Tricia Smith – both IOC Members – and its Executive Director, Vincent Gaillard. They attended a series of meetings with key members of LA28, including Chairperson Casey Wasserman. The delegation also visited the proposed venue for classic rowing, the Long Beach Marine Stadium, previously used for the 1932 Olympic Games and located at the heart of the city of Long Beach. Full details here. For International Women’s Day 2023, World Rowing spoke to three women about the challenges they have faced in building a career in high-performance rowing, and how to get more women to follow their lead. Read their stories here.
World Triathlon
World Triathlon has announced the Technical Officials who will officiate at the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024. There will be 43 National Federations represented, and for the first time ever, 50% of the Officials selected are female, going one step further on the commitment with gender balance within the organisation. All five continents are represented in this selection, with representatives of 13 countries officiating at the Olympic or Paralympic Games for the first time. Full details here.
WINTER IFS
World Curling Federation (WCF)
The WCF is inducting five new recipients into the World Curling Hall of Fame for 2023. There will be two inductees in the Builder category: Kate Caithness from Scotland who served as WCF President from 2010 to 2022, and Jack Lynch from Canada. The three inductees in the Athlete category are Ewan MacDonald and Peter Smith from Scotland and Bill Strum from the United States. Full details here.
RECOGNISED FEDERATIONS
World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC)
The WBSC has announced its partnership with sustainability partner Green Future Project (GFP) to help combat its carbon emissions. The WBSC signed the agreement at the beginning of 2023 to put in place its offset strategy for restoration and preservation of the natural ecosystem by planting trees, protecting forests and supporting projects generating clean and renewable energy. The WBSC has already planted 1,300 trees, protecting 1,170 square metres of forest and producing 98,310 units of clean energy, through this partnership. More details here.
International Powerboating Federation (UIM)
The UIM has unveiled the overall winning picture of its 2022 Photo Contest. Czech photographer Marek Paulicek has won the Overall category for a picture taken at the Speedway Grand Prix of Czech Republic. Some 18 photographers have submitted 190 images for consideration in the various categories. More info here.
NATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEES
Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOC)
The HOC has reported on the successful completion of the European “Kids love sports” project after two years of activity. With the main objective being social inclusion through sport, the project, aimed at refugee children aged 6 to 12, hosted in open structures in or near Attica, gave these children the opportunity to have a special experience rich in sporting activities in the iconic Panathenaic Stadium in Athens. The project was implemented by the HOC with the co-financing of the European Union, and over 50 volunteers along with public institutions and organisations contributed to its completion. The HOC presents the "Kids love sports" project in an original illustrated flipbook”. More info at www.hoc.gr
Kosovo Olympic Committee
Judoka Distria Krasniqi and boxer Shpetim Bajoku were crowned Best Athletes of the Year during the 2022 Sports Prize ceremony hosted by the Kosovo Olympic Committee on 25 February. It was the third consecutive title for Krasniqi. The NOC President, Ismet Krasniqi, and the President of the Republic of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, presented the award to Krasniqi, and Bajoku received his award from the NOC Vice-President, Gazmend Maxhuni, and the Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Daulina Osmani. Awards were also presented to the Coach of the Year, the best male and female teams, and men and women Olympic Hopefuls, while a special award honoured retired journalists. More details at www.noc-kosovo.org
Moroccan NOC (CNOM)
CNOM President Faïçal Laraichi met Côte d’Ivoire NOC Vice-President Stéphane Ouegnin on 9 March at the CNOM headquarters in Rabat. The two leaders discussed ways for the two entities to cooperate on developing sports projects and strengthen their partnership. More info here. On 8 March, the CNOM celebrated Moroccan women, and particularly those who contribute to the development of sport at national level. The CNOM also recently held video conferences with the NOCs of Gabon and Togo to discuss upcoming visits as part of the NOC exchange programme from Olympic Solidarity.
NOC of Panama
In the framework of the Panam Sports Women in Sport Conference held in Panama City, learn here at ioc.org about the efforts taken by the host NOC, the NOC of Panama to address harassment and abuse in sport and create a safer sporting environment in the country.
Paraguayan NOC
A meeting to present the 14th edition of the advanced sports management course was held recently in the auditorium of the Paraguayan NOC. NOC President Camilo Pérez López Moreira, who is also an IOC member, welcomed the participants. This course is run under the aegis of Olympic Solidarity and is organised by the NOC. It is aimed mainly at NOC and national federation managers, and comprises eight modules from the Managing Olympic Sport Organisations Manual. Info at www.cop.org.py.
Serbian Olympic Committee
The Olympic Committee of Serbia celebrated its 113th anniversary at the Moskva hotel in Belgrade, where it was founded on 23 February 1910. Respecting the long-standing tradition, on 28 February NOC President Božidar Maljković and Sports Minister Zoran Gajić laid a laurel wreath on the memorial plaque in front of the hotel. In addition, President Maljković and Luka Jašić, short track silver medallist at the Winter European Youth Olympic Festival 2023, cut the traditional Olympic cake together. Special guests at the event were the Minister of Education, Science and Technological Development, Branko Ružić; the Mayor of Belgrade, Aleksandar Šapić, a three-time Olympic medallist in water polo; the ambassador of the Republic of Poland, Rafal Perl; and family members of the NOC’s founder, Svetomir Đukić. Current and former Olympic medallists and Olympians, and representatives of the government, diplomatic missions, sponsors, partners and the media also attended the ceremony. More info here at www.oks.org.rs.
Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC)
At the end of February, more than 150 Asian Games-bound athletes joined the community on a run around the vicinity of the Singapore Sports Hub at the Singapore edition of the Hangzhou Fun Run, organised by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and the SNOC. Since 2004, the OCA has been organising a series of fun runs in various Asian cities to promote the Asian Games prior to the upcoming edition – the 2023 edition will be held in Hangzhou (China) from 23 September to 8 October. The 3km run was flagged off by SNOC President Tan Chuan-Jin. The Team Singapore’s chefs de mission for the Asian Games were also introduced on this occasion. Full details here. In addition, the SNOC has appointed Hing Siong Chen, a member of its Executive Committee and President of the Singapore Cycling Federation, as Chef de Mission for the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia from 5 to 17 May 2023. Info here.
Spanish NOC (COE)
On 8 March, the COE’s Motherhood and Sport Commission, chaired by Olympic medallist Ona Carbonell, held its constitutive meeting for the 2023-2025 period. At the meeting, the working basis for the Commission was agreed and possible areas of action discussed. The various topics addressed included the preparation of female athletes during and after pregnancy, and the importance of their being able to stay close to their children during the breastfeeding period. One of the Commission’s main objectives is to create an information centre on motherhood and sport, with professionals available to advise and guide athletes during their maternity. More details here.
NOC of Thailand (NOCT)
Throughout 2023, Thailand plans to organise four major Olympic Day events to promote the Olympic Movement, Olympism and the Olympic values as well as healthy and active lifestyles. The first event was organised in Nan Province in the northern part of Thailand on 24 February. Several key people in sports communities presided over the opening ceremony and attended the event, including NOCT President Prawit Wongsuwon, IOC Members KhunyingPatama Leeswadtrakul and Karl Stoss, NOCT Vice-President and Chairman of Sports for People and Environment Sub-Committee Pichai Chunhavajira, and the Advisor to the NOCT, Somsak Leeswadtrakul. Several schools and various agencies from both public and private sectors, as well as sports lovers of all ages participated in this event. In total, there were more than 4,000 participants. Apart from the mini marathon and fun run, there were other sporting activities, such as basketball, boxing, rock climbing and a dance contest. Other Olympic Day events will be organised in Mukdahan province on Olympic Day, 23 June, Chiang Mai province on 4 November and Kanchanaburi province on 16 December.
Venezuelan NOC
The NOC celebrated International Women’s Day through its female representatives at the Panam Sports conference on women and sport held in Panama City. NOC President María Soto, Secretary General Katiuska Santaella and Vice-President Elida Párraga took part. At the NOC headquarters, the women present were also honored for their work and their contribution to sport. Nine of the 12 members of the NOC’s Board of Administration are women, and for the first time in its history, the NOC has a female President.
ORGANISING COMMITTEES FOR THE OLYMPIC GAMES
PARIS 2024
Some 3.25 million tickets have been sold in less than three weeks, during the first phase of ticket sales for the Olympic Games Paris 2024. The French public, who made up two-thirds of ticket purchasers, responded in their thousands. So did fans from abroad, with 158 different countries represented. A relatively high proportion were female and young: in this first phase, 45% were women and 44% were aged under 35. On 15 March, with 500 days to go until the Olympic Games begin, Paris 2024 will invite the public to register for the draw for the sale of individual tickets, which will include the most sought-after sessions of the Games, via the official ticketing platform: tickets.paris2024.org. Read the full news release here.
RECOGNISED ORGANISATIONS
Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA)
Meeting at its 59th Ordinary Session on 3 March, the ANOCA Executive Committee has taken the following resolutions: members decided unanimously to support the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in all international competitions. This will allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in the Olympic Games Paris 2024 in total neutrality. ANOCA also reaffirmed its stance that politics should not place pressure on sport. The full text of the resolution is here. During the recent ANOCA Athletes’ Forum held in Algiers, Algeria, over 100 African athlete representatives unanimously expressed their full support for the resolution adopted by the ANOCA Executive Committee on 3 March, welcoming the return of Russian and Belarusian athletes competing as neutral athletes in international competitions. In their discussions, they reiterated that athletes should never pay the price of a conflict whatever it is and wherever it is. Read the full statement here. On International Women’s Day, ANOCA President and IOC Member Mustapha Berraf published a message in which he underlined that ANOCA “has, in its 2020 – 2024 action plan, taken up the mission to make the integration of women in high-performance sports and in sports governance an essential goal”, and that African sport needs even more women. Full text of the message here. In addition, the February issue of the ANOCA Newsletter is devoted to the participation of young African athletes in the upcoming Youth Olympic Winter Games Gangwon 2024.
European Olympic Committees (EOC)
To celebrate International Women’s Day 2023, the EOC highlighted the role it continues to play in driving gender equality. Led by the EOC’s Gender Equality Diversity and Inclusion Commission, the EOC has made great strides for both female athletes and women working within sport. Find all the details here. On 2 March, the EOC signed the host city contract with the authorities in Georgia ahead of the Winter European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF) Borjomi-Bakuriani 2025. EOC President and IOC Member Spyros Capralosand Coordination Commission Chair Florin Misca attended the ceremony in Borjomi. More info here.
Panam Sports
The Panam Sports Women in Sport Conference took place in Panama City from 7 to 8 March. The seminar provided an opportunity to bring the region’s sporting community together to hear different perspectives, engage both sexes, and exchange best practices in areas such as safe sport, how to address gender-based violence, and how to remove gender bias in the media. Addressing the Conference via a video message, the IOC President praised the efforts made by NOCs in the Americas to advance gender equality and promote safe sport. The event was attended by Prince Feisal Al Hussein, an IOC Executive Board member and Deputy Chair of the IOC’s Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commission, along with NOC presidents and gender equality advocates such as María-Noel Vaeza, UN Women Regional Director for the Americas and the Caribbean. More details here and on the official Panam Sports Organisation website.
Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF)
During their meeting in Lausanne on 3 March, the ASOIF Council members reiterated their full solidarity with the Ukrainian sports community, and their support for the IOC’s sanctions against the Russian and Belarusian states and governments. On the status of Russian and Belarusian athletes on the road to the Olympic Games Paris 2024, ASOIF is ready to collaborate with the IOC and NOCs to clarify a workable definition of “neutral athletes” as a necessary step to further explore the Russian and Belarusian athletes’ potential participation in the Olympic Games. The Council also emphasised the need to prevent public authorities’ influence in sports matters. Full info here.
International Paralympic Committee (IPC)
On 8 March, the IPC announced the four winners of the 2023 International Women’s Day Recognition Awards: Patience Igbiti from Nigeria (Leadership), Vladyslava Kravchenko from Malta (Emerging Leadership), Malawi National Paralympic Committee (National Paralympic Committee) and World Para Ice Hockey (International Federation). The Awards recognise women in the Paralympic Movement who inspire, embody the Paralympic ideals and serve as positive role models. Full details on the winners here. The IPC has also published its new Strategic Plan, which focuses on four primary goals: serving members and athletes, showcasing athlete excellence through the delivery of the Paralympic Games, driving impact through Para sport, and continuing to build a professional organisation. Full details here.
World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) WADA has launched an Initial Human Rights Impact Assessment (IHRIA) to evaluate the intersection between the World Anti-Doping Programme and the human rights of athletes. The IHRIA was first proposed by WADA’s Athlete Committee in 2021, with the aim of ensuring that WADA respects and protects the universally recognised human rights of athletes as it leads a global collaborative mission for doping-free sport. Full news here. The WADA 2024 Global Education Conference (GEC) will be held on 28 and 29 February 2024 in Cannes, France. The Conference will be attended by anti-doping practitioners and researchers from around the world who will share and discuss emerging trends; contribute to education programme development; and examine how Anti-Doping Organisations can enhance their education programmes, while keeping athletes and their support personnel at the centre of their learning strategies. More info here.
Fédération Internationale Cinéma Télévision Sportifs (FICTS)
The FICTS, in partnership with Panathlon International, is organising a video competition, “Sport Mountain & Olympism – Snow & Ice Sports”, which addresses the relationship between sports, mountains and Olympism. The competition is part of the official programme of the "Sport Movies & TV-Milano International FICTS Fest", which will be held in Milan (Italy) from 7 to 11 November 2023. More info, including registration and regulations, can be found here.
Generations For Peace
Generations For Peace USA has launched the “Youth LEAD: Youth Learning, Exchanging and Developing through Sport for Peace” Programme in the Greater Grand Crossing neighbourhood of Chicago, Illinois. The nine-month programme aims to prevent violence and strengthen protective factors among black youth in the area who are disproportionately impacted by violent crime, marginalisation and systemic disinvestment. Since 2019, Generations For Peace USA has partnered with the Gary Comer Youth Centre and Laureus USA to implement sport-based protection programmes with young people in the United States. Full details here.