Olympic Highlights

IOC ACTIVITIES

PrEsident

On a trip to Hangzhou (People’s Republic of China), IOC President Thomas Bach visited the headquarters of Worldwide TOP Partner Alibaba. The IOC President was welcomed by Alibaba Executive Chairman Jack Ma at the Alibaba campus. Alibaba is the official “Cloud Services” and “E-Commerce Platform Services” Partner, as well as a Founding Partner of the Olympic Channel. After jointly unveiling a commemorative stone to mark the long-term partnership, the two leaders took questions at an hour-long meeting with young workers at the company. "We are very honoured to be part of the Olympic Family. We share the same vision," said Jack Ma. "The Olympic Movement is a great global platform and we want to get more young people involved. With the technology we have, with the young talent we have, we can make the Olympics more creative, more fun, more entertaining and more efficient.” President Bach told Jack Ma that, "Alibaba is a partner sharing our vision to make all our lives happier and healthier; in our case through sport, in Alibaba's using technology. By working closely together, through sport enhanced by technology, then we can both make our dreams come true." Read the full news here.

After Hangzhou, IOC President was in Tianjin for the opening of the China National Games on 27 August. Before the spectacular ceremony, President Bach had a friendly and cooperative meeting with the President of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping. During the meeting - their second this year - the two leaders discussed all issues of mutual interest and expressed a common commitment to continue with their very close cooperation. Excellent progress has already been made on preparations for the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022. President Bach said that these Games would be "clean, green and sustainable". 

While in Tianjin, President Bach took the opportunity to visit a Sport Art exhibition at the Tianjin Art Museum.

Earlier, the President was in Beijing, where he visited several of the venues for the Olympic Winter Games 2022. Many of them draw on the legacy of the Olympic Games Beijing 2008: Wukesong Indoor Stadium, which staged basketball in 2008, will be the venue for ice hockey in 2022; while the former Shougang steel works, which was closed down in the run-up to the Beijing Games, will be transformed into the venue for Big Air and is also the site of Beijing 2022's innovative headquarters. With a number of innovations, and particularly with the Global Partnership with Alibaba, the IOC President said the Games had the potential to "set a global benchmark for future Olympic Games."

Later, he met Cai Qi, President of the Beijing 2022 Organising Committee, and the leadership team, to discuss the excellent progress of the preparations.

Earlier, he held talks with the President of the NOC of China, Ghou Zhongwen. The excellent cooperation with the NOC and questions of mutual interest including a national Olympic Channel for China were discussed.

While in Beijing, President Bach attended the inauguration of the Olympic Art Exhibition “Cheer for Olympics” at the Shandong Art Museum, which will display works of Olympic and traditional Chinese cultures in major cities across the country.

He also visited the Chinese National Art Museum, whose Director is Wu Weishan, one of China’s top artists. One of his works, a bust of Pierre de Coubertin, is now on display at The Olympic Museum.

Throughout his trip to China, the President was accompanied by IOC Vice-President Yu Zaiqing who coordinated the visit in the country. He was also accompanied by IOC Members Yang Yang and Li Lingwei as well as IOC Honorary Member Timothy Tsun Ting Fok.

Members

Prince Feisal Al Hussein was recently re-elected as President of the Jordan Olympic Committee (JOC) for a new four year-term during the General Assembly of the NOC. He was first elected as the JOC President in 2003 (see also under “NOCs”).

Other Olympic news

A year ago, at the Closing Ceremony of the Olympic Games Rio 2016, tens of thousands of fans in the Maracanã Stadium and millions around the globe witnessed the launch of the Olympic Channel. This new digital platform provides a new way to engage younger generations, fans and new audiences with the Olympic Movement all year round. On 21 August, the Olympic Channel celebrated one-year anniversary with more than 6,000 videos representing all Olympic sports disciplines and 206 countries, 30 original series, partnerships with 54 International Sports Federations and organisations, and availability in 11 languages. Read the full news here.

international sportS fEdErations

SUMMER IFS

The International Boxing Association (AIBA) and the International School Sport Federation (ISF) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Taipei on the eve of the 29th Summer Universiade. The MoU commits to the joint exploration of boxing as a means of physical and educational development for young people. AIBA will use its expertise to assist with the technical aspects of ISF School Competitions, and its coaching infrastructure to ensure the safe dissemination of best practices and the latest techniques around the world. The partnership will be implemented from the Gymnasiades 2018, organised from 2 to 9 May in Morocco. Info at www.aiba.org.

The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) has announced that the 2004 Olympic champion from Russia, Alina Kabaeva (photo), will be the Gymnastics Ambassador for the 35th Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships in Pesaro (Italy), which will be staged from 30 August to 3 September. This is the first year that the FIG has decided to invite a legend of the discipline to serve as an inspirational model during the flagship event of the year. Kabaeva was chosen not only because she is one of the most successful gymnasts in the history of the sport, but also due to her links with Italy where, as a young athlete, she took part in training camps. Read the news here.

On the anniversary of the women’s hockey final at the Olympic Games Rio 2016, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) awarded prizes to two national federations out of around 50 associations that had organised activities to mark Olympic Day 2017. Ranked first by a FIH jury, the Uruguayan federation staged mass public activities in several cities in the country, including the capital, Montevideo. In total, almost 1,000 people of all ages and abilities took part alongside members of the national team, who became coaches for the day. Placed second, the Myanmar federation also organised a plethora of activities such as a hockey 5s tournament for the public. Like in Uruguay, with the support of their national teams, club players and numerous coaches, the project run on this Day allowed the sport to reach various communities in the country. Read the news here.

Marius Vizer was recently re-elected as President of the International Judo Federation (IJF) for a fourth term at the IJF Congress in Budapest (Hungary) held ahead of the 2017 World Judo Championships. Vizer was first elected in 2007. Read the news here. The IJF also marked its 65th anniversary with a gala evening held on the eve of the opening day of the Championships. Judo legends and Olympic champions were among those recognised at the Hungarian State Opera House. Read the news here. 

The latest United World Wrestling (UWW) “More than Medals” camp for Asia and Oceania was held in Sukhotai (Thailand) from 24 July to 2 August. Some 52 athletes from 16 countries took part. While athletes were training with four-time Olympic champion Kaori Icho (Japan) and three-time world champion Martine Dugrinier (Canada), 28 coaches attended a Level 1 coaching course, which was delivered by UWW educators. More info at www.unitedworldwrestling.org.

From 23 to 28 August, 630 young swimmers from 93 national federations took part in the 6th International Swimming Federation (FINA) World Junior Swimming Championships in Indianapolis (USA). The competition brought together female swimmers aged 14 to 17 and male swimmers aged 15 to 18. Swimming legends and Olympic champions such as Missy Franklin, Simone Manuel, Anthony Ervin and even Michael Phelps attended the event, which may reveal the champions of tomorrow. Info at www.fina.org.

A delegation from the International Modern Pentathlon Union (UIPM) recently met Gou Zhongwen, Sports Minister and Chinese NOC President, to discuss the development of the sport in the country. The Minister expressed support for grassroots initiatives that will grow the profile of UIPM sports in the country and help to implement China’s Sport for All policy. The UIPM was represented by President Klaus Schormann and Secretary General Shiny Fang, who discussed with the Minister the possibility of China applying to host the UIPM World Championships and Congress in 2020, as well as the UIPM Laser-Run World Championships. They also talked about the potential for the UIPM International Academy (Beijing), which was built at Beijing Sports University in 2008, to be used by neighbouring Asian countries for training sessions and camps. Info at www.pentathlon.org.

In a press release, World Rugby announced that players competing in the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017 in Ireland all renewed their commitment to the fight against doping on Keep Rugby Clean Day. The 12 teams received anti-doping education sessions the previous week as they joined the thousands of players and coaches across the rugby family who had already received face-to-face Keep Rugby Clean education. On the third day of competition, the teams were invited to wear Keep Rugby Clean T-shirts during the warm-up to underline their support for World Rugby’s policy to keep the game drug-free. Read the news here.

The International Surfing Association (ISA) has organised its very first course for coaches in the framework of Olympic Solidarity. Held from 20 to 27 July in Fiji, these (level 1 and 2) courses were run in collaboration with the Fiji Surfing Association and the NOC of Fiji. Olympic Solidarity’s support allowed for the course to be opened up to the whole of Oceania. Six participants came from Fiji, three from Vanuatu and three from Samoa, joining an expert, Lee Ryan, from New Zealand. The ISA aims to build on the success of this first course to organise others in the Dominican Republic and Guatemala. Read the news here.

NationaL Olympic committees

On 5 August, the Executive Board of the Algerian NOC, led by Mustapha Berraf, officially appointed Abdelhamid Berchiche as head of the NOC’s Ethics and Deontology Commission . A professor of law and former Rector of the University of Tizi-Ouzou, between 2001 and 2002, he was the Minister of Youth and Sport. Aged 77, Abdelhamid Berchiche led the Algerian karate and tennis federations and was also President of the Disputes Commission of the Algerian Football Federation until 2009.

The NOC of Argentina has informed us that an advanced course in sports administration was held in August, on the “sports event organisation” module. Supported by Olympic Solidarity, this course brought together representatives of national sports federations, the national high-level sports body and civil servants from provincial governments. The CEO of the Organising Committee for the Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires 2018, Leandro Larrosa, and Chief of Corporate Planning Mariana Pando Amil spoke to participants about he preparations for these YOG. More info at www.coarg.org.ar.

As part of the Pan-American Sports Organisation (PASO)’s OlympAmerica project, the Chilean NOC has built a sports arena in Bajos de Mena in the commune of Puente Alto. The aim is to encourage more children and youngsters to practise sport. The inauguration took place recently in the presence of NOC and PASO President Neven Ilic, Metropolitan Mayor Claudio Orrego and Mayor of Puente Alto German Codina. Basketballs and footballs were given away on this occasion, while the city and Olympic authorities took part in a demonstration of basketball 3x3. Read the news here. In addition, the current captain of Team Chile, Francisca Crovetto, was recently elected as Chair of the NOC’s Athletes’ Commission.

The Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee (CTOC) signed Bilateral Cooperation Agreements with the Marshall Islands NOC (MINOC) and Palau NOC (PNOC) on 20 August. CTOC President Lin Hong-Dow, MINOC President Kenneth Kramer and PNOC President Frank Kyota signed the agreements to facilitate sports exchange between the three countries. With these two additions, the CTOC has now established relationships with 32 NOCs. The agreement encourages cooperation in areas including sports exchanges, staff exchanges, medical science, anti-doping, National Olympic Academies and many more. More info at www.tpenoc.net.

The NOC of El Salvador supported the 3rd Family Peace Run organised on 26 August by the Violence Prevention Committee of the Municipality of Nejapa. The NOC gave 50 T-shirts, 200 bibs and 100 medals to the Municipality for the participants. The Run was held as part of the 4th Youth for Peace Festival and the Patron Saint Festivals in Nejapa, held from 26 to 31 August. Read the news here.

With less than six months to go until the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games 2018, the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) has launched a Korean youth mentorship programme, which will see Olympic ice dancers Maia and Alex Shibutani mentor young students both virtually and in person in the months leading up to the Games. The programme will run in partnership with the PyeongChang Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games 2018 (POCOG) as well as Jinbu Middle School, and is part of the USOC’s “Thank you, PyeongChang” initiative. The campaign aims to contribute to the positive legacy of the PyeongChang Games, to say thank you to the people of the Republic of Korea for hosting the world next February and March and make an impact on the global community through the spirit of Olympism. Read the full news here.

The General Assembly of the Jordan Olympic Committee (JOC) was held recently. On this occasion, a new JOC Board was elected. Apart from the JOC President, Prince Feisal Al Hussein, the Board is made up of 17 members, including representatives from Olympic and non-Olympic sports, and two former Olympic athletes. Three females will also serve within the Board. Read the news here.

The finalists of the Singapore Sports Awards 2017 and members of the sporting fraternity came together to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the NOC of Singapore and the achievements of its athletes. Organised by the NOC and Sport Singapore, these awards honoured the most deserving individuals and teams in sport last year. 2016 Olympic swimming champion Joseph Schooling and bowler New Hui Fen took the awards for best sportsman and sportswoman of the year. Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, who is also Coordinating Minister for National Security and Patron of the NOC, was the guest of honour at the ceremony, and presented the awards alongside Tan Chuan-Jin, Minister for Social and Family Development and NOC President, and Grace Fu, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth. Info at www.singaporeolympics.com.

From 14 to 18 August, the Venezuelan NOC hosted the first technical course for beach volleyball coaches. Led by Mauro Hernández, an International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) instructor and Venezuelan national team coach, this course covered many themes, including the rules of beach volleyball, team philosophy, and coach’s functions and tasks. The course was organised jointly with the FIVB, the NOC and Olympic Solidarity.

Organising Committees for the Olympic Games

Tokyo 2020

The Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (Tokyo 2020) launched the “One Team Project”, an initiative in which Japan’s leading creators, innovators and performers in a wide range of fields are being invited to express their own interpretations of the vision for the Tokyo 2020 Games. Building on the three core concepts of the Games – “Achieving Personal Best”, “Unity in Diversity” and “Connecting to Tomorrow” – these influential figures will be encouraging the public to reach out to one another and unite behind the Games’ vision. In support of this latest initiative, Tokyo 2020 also launched a webpage dedicated to the project where participating celebrities can share their messages with the public. More info here.

RECOGNISED Organisations

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) recently published its 2016 Annual Report, which outlines the Agency’s accomplishments and the priorities that will drive its mission for 2017 and beyond. Under the title Building an Agency that is Fit for the Future, the Annual Report is an important element of WADA’s commitment to accountability and transparency. Read the news here. Furthermore, WADA has published its latest education tool entitled Parents’ Guide to Support Clean Sport. Specifically designed for parents of athletes, this education resource aims to inform them about essential topics so that they can assist with clean athlete development by preventing the use of substances and methods prohibited in sport. Read the news here.

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is one of three laureates of the Lui Che Woo Prize – Prize for World Civilisation. The announcement was made on 22 August in Hong Kong. The IPC received the Positive Energy Prize for “its outstanding work in proactively encouraging Para athletes in celebration and competitive participation in sports, offering hope to people with an impairment, and changing society’s long-held biases towards them. The IPC has successfully promoted harmony among diverse groups and radiated positive energy around the globe.” Read the news here.

The President of the NOC of Paraguay, Camilo Pérez, was elected as President of the South American Sports Organisation (ODESUR) for the period 2017-19 at the General Assembly on 25 August in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). The outgoing President, Carlos Arthur Nuzman, who is an IOC Honorary Member, was awarded the South American Grand Collar in recognition of his important work heading the organisation since 2003.

On a visit in early August to Bangkok (Thailand) for the International Muaythai Amateur Federation (IFMA) Youth World Championship, the President of the Association of IOC Recognised International Sports Federations (ARISF), Raffaele Chiulli, held a meeting with Stephan Fox, IFMA Secretary General and GAISF Vice-President, to discuss the continued cooperation within the SportAccord family and also in view of preparing activities towards the SportAccord Convention 2018, which will be held in Bangkok. The ARISF President had been invited to the official ARISF Flag ceremony, where young people from the five continents raised the flag, thus respecting the IFMA’s commitment to the Olympic values and ethics. Over 1,500 people from 79 countries took part in the IFMA World Championships. Read the news here.