Olympic Highlights 18/12/2023
IOC
PRESIDENT
Last weekend, IOC President Thomas Bach was in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, to visit the National Olympic and Paralympic Committee and see for himself the impressive development of sport in the Kingdom. As a guest at the Saudi National Games, the President watched a number of sports and visited the fan zone. The second edition of the Games saw more than 8,000 participants from across the country competing in 53 sports, including Paralympic sports, and a number of esports competitions. The Games, which also saw record participation by female athletes (28 per cent of the total), are part of the rapid growth of the sports sector, as outlined in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy.
Speaking at the NOC headquarters, President Bach told the organisers: “With increased engagement at all levels, and in particular a rise in the level of female participation, the goals of the sports strategy in many ways mirror the aims of our Olympic Agenda reform programme.”
Later, in a meeting with the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, the two leaders discussed the forthcoming Olympic Games Paris 2024. They also held extensive discussions on the IOC’s initiative to create Olympic Esports Games. The current geopolitical situation and its impact on world sport were also discussed. In this respect, the Crown Prince fully supported the IOC’s position on the unifying power of sport and the autonomy of the IOC, which is essential for it to fulfil its peace-building mission. The Crown Prince also emphasised the support of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the recent United Nations Truce Resolution “Building a peaceful and better world through sport and the Olympic ideal”, for which the IOC President thanked him warmly. Full news release here. See also news on the website of the National Olympic and Paralympic Committee of Saudi Arabia
President Thomas Bach announced the Joint Sport Pledge on behalf of the Sport for Refugees Coalition at the Global Refugee Forum in Geneva, addressing heads of state, ambassadors, refugees and the wider humanitarian sector. The pledge commits USD 45 million to benefit 500,000 displaced people. The President, who also chairs the IOC’s Olympic Refuge Foundation (ORF), presented the Joint Sport Pledge on behalf of more than 100 organisations, including over 40 NOCs and IF, as well as governments, refugee-led organisations, UN agencies, civil society organisations, private sector representatives and beyond.
President Bach opened the parallel high-level event “Breaking Barriers: Realising the Potential of Sport for Inclusion and Protection”, with Paul Tergat, IOC Member and ORF Board Member, the Paris 2024 Refugee Olympic Team Chef de Mission, Masomah Ali Zada, and Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Refugee Olympic Team swimmer Yusra Mardini. Read the full news release here.
During the Global Refugee Forum, President Bach met UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, with whom he discussed the excellent cooperation between UNHCR, the IOC and the Olympic Refuge Foundation (ORF).
At the Forum, the IOC President met also the Prime Minister of Uganda Robinah Nabbanja and the Vice-President of Colombia Francia Elena Márquez Mina. With both he discussed the cooperation between their country and the ORF, as well as the geopolitical situation and its impact on sport.
With the French Minister for Sport and the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Amélie Oudéa-Castera, the excellent cooperation in the preparations for the Olympic Games Paris 2024 was discussed.
Esports were the topic of discussion with Prince Faisal bin Bandar Al Saud, the President of the Saudi Arabian Federation for Electronic and Intellectual Sports (SAFEIS), who also attended the Forum.
This week, IOC President Thomas Bach welcomed the President of the Hellenic Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, to Olympic House. President Bach, who was accompanied by the IOC Member in Greece, Spyros Capralos, who is also the President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, gave President Sakellaropoulou a tour of Olympic House. President Bach and President Sakellaropoulou discussed the current geopolitical situation and the impact it has on sport. In this context, both leaders stressed the peace mission of the Olympic Games, which is to unite the world in peaceful competition. A few days ago, Greece voted to adopt the Olympic Truce Resolution for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024.
President Sakellaropoulou signed the IOC’s “Golden Book”. She wrote: “The ideal of Olympism, which has its roots in Ancient Greece, reflects the values of excellence, friendship and respect, still relevant today.” The President of the Hellenic Republic also visited the Olympic Museum in Ouchy with the IOC President. Read the full news release here.
Also this week, the IOC President welcomed the President of the Republic of Poland, Andrzej Duda, to the IOC. Throughout the visit, President Bach was accompanied by the IOC Member in Poland, Maja Włoszczowska, who is also a member of the IOC Athletes’ Commission. Also present was the newly elected President of the Polish Olympic Committee, Radosław Piesiewicz. During their meeting, the IOC President thanked the Polish President for his country’s support for the Olympic Truce Resolution for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024, which Poland co-sponsored. In this context, the two leaders discussed the current geopolitical situation and the impact it is having on sport, with a focus on the Olympic Games Paris 2024. Signing the IOC’s “Golden Book”, President Duda said: “I wish you success in promoting the values of the Olympic Movement so that the Games remain a symbol of peace and mutual respect in the spirit of the Olympic Charter.”
Accompanied by the IOC President, the President of Poland also visited the Olympic Museum. Read the full news release here.
European Commission Vice-President Margarítis Schinás was warmly welcomed by President Bach to Olympic House. The President thanked him for all his support and his contribution to uniting the world in peaceful competition. “The Olympic Games Paris 2024 will showcase the Olympic values,” he said. The two men discussed the geopolitical situation and its impact on sport, as well as safeguarding and cybersecurity.
MEMBERS
The work of the Olympic Movement with regard to sports integrity was highlighted by IOC Member Anita DeFrantz at the 10th session of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) in Atlanta (USA). “Integrity is key for the credibility of sport, for the competitions and for the sports organisations themselves,” she said, addressing the participants of the “Safeguard sport from corruption” event, which took place on 11 December. DeFrantz highlighted the vital role of the International Partnership against Corruption in Sport (IPACS), of which the IOC is a founding partner; what sports organisations can do to tackle corruption in their environment; and what the governments’ responsibility is regarding corruption. Believe in Sport athlete ambassador Jacqueline Simoneau, an Olympian from Canada, also attended the meeting and underlined the important role of athletes in tackling competition manipulation, as well as the necessity of education and awareness-raising activities in this regard. In addition, the IOC, INTERPOL and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) jointly released the “Guide on the Investigation of Cases of Competition Manipulation” at the event. Full news release here.
HONORARY MEMBERS
IOC Honorary Member Timothy Tsun Ting Fok, the President of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC), has been awarded the Grand Bauhinia Medal (GBM) by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government for his significant contributions to sports development. He was presented with the medal by HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee during a ceremony held at Government House. The GBM is the highest accolade under the HKSAR Honours and Awards System.
TOP PARTNERS
Worldwide Olympic Partner Visa partnered with IOC Athlete365 to host a dynamic financial fitness literacy webinar tailored for athletes. The event garnered overwhelming interest, with hundreds of enthusiastic sign-ups. The webinar delved into crucial subjects such as budgeting, investments, savings and financial planning, equipping athletes with valuable insights to navigate their financial journeys. The attendees heard from a panel of speakers, including Paralympic champion in wheelchair basketball Ryan Neiswender, three-time Olympic shooter Gaby Diana Ahrens and Visa’s financial educator Hugh Norton. This collaborative effort, part of Visa’s Olympic partnership, underscores the importance of empowering athletes with the knowledge needed to make informed financial decisions in their careers and beyond.
OTHER OLYMPIC NEWS
Masomah Ali Zada, who competed in road cycling as a member of the Refugee Olympic Team at Tokyo 2020 and is a member of the IOC’s Athletes’ Commission, has been named as the Chef de Mission for the Refugee Olympic Team at Paris 2024. She is joined by Bernadette Castel-Hollingsworth, Deputy Director of the Division of International Protection at UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, as Deputy Chef de Mission. This follows a decision by the IOC Executive Board. Full news release here.
As the countdown to the Olympic Games Paris 2024 continues, the IOC has collaborated with interactive indoor training app Kinomap to offer runners, cyclists and rowers around the world the chance to tackle the Olympic courses remotely ahead of next year’s Games. Kinomap becomes the latest Official Licensee of the IOC, which has developed a global licensing programme to strengthen and promote the Olympic brand, not only during the Olympic Games, but between editions of the Games as well. Full news release here.
Olympian Aminath Shajan, an Olympic Solidarity scholarship-holder for the Rio 2016 Games, has been named Deputy Minister for Sport of the Maldives. At the end of her sporting career, during which she competed in swimming at the Olympic Games London 2012 and Rio 2016, Shajan successfully completed the Master of Arts in Sports Ethics and Integrity (MAiSI), an academic programme managed by the Olympic Solidarity Entourage Unit.
INTERNATIONAL FEDERATIONS
SUMMER IFS
International Football Association Federation (FIFA)
The FIFA Museum has announced the acquisition of nearly 400 objects, collected at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ in Australia and New Zealand. From 12 December, the World Cup Gallery at the FIFA Museum in Zurich will offer visitors a glimpse of some of the standout objects collected. More info here.
International Gymnastics Federation (FIG)
The FIG Executive Committee has entrusted the Chinese Gymnastics Association with the organisation of the 55th FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships. The city of Chengdu will host the event from 23 September to 7 October 2027. More info here.
International Tennis Federation (ITF)
Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka have been named 2023 ITF World Champions in men’s singles and women’s singles respectively, recognising both players’ outstanding seasons. Discover here the ITF Class of 2023. The ITF’s “Class of…” series recognises and celebrates players who have had a successful year on the ITF World Tennis Tour, identifying the year’s most promising and breakthrough talents, and those predicted to go on to bigger and better things next year. The Foundation for Global Sports Development has announced the 10 recipients of its 2023 Athletes in Excellence Award in recognition of athletic achievements, humanitarian efforts, community outreach and youth mentorship. The Foundation is the main sponsor of the ITF Advantage All equity, diversity and inclusion programme.
World Rowing
The 2023 World Rowing awards’ winners have been revealed. World champion Oliver Zeidler of Germany won the Men’s Crew of the Year award, while the Women’s Crew of the Year award went to Great Britain, with world champions Emily Craig and Imogen Grant. Francesco Fossi took the title of Coach of the Year for 2023 and Australia the Para Crew of the Year award, while the USA’s Caryn Davies was the recipient of the Thomas Keller Medal. Full details about the winners here.
World Athletics
Kenya’s two-time Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge is to mentor the U20 World Athletics Athlete Refugee Team (ART), using his great experience in the sport to educate and inspire upcoming athletes. Confirmation of Kipchoge’s mentorship, which will begin in January 2024, coincides with the announcement of the Multistakeholder Pledge on Sport for Inclusion and Protection of Refugees, a commitment signed by more than 100 organisations represented at the Global Refugee Forum 2023. As one of the signatories, and as part of the Sport for Refugee Coalition, World Athletics reaffirmed its commitment to use sport to help improve the lives of stateless people around the world. Full info here. Six athletes (world champions and world record-breakers) – Tigist Assefa, Mondo Duplantis, Kelvin Kiptum, Faith Kipyegon, Noah Lyles and Yulimar Rojas – have been announced as World Athletes of the Year for 2023. World U20 gold medallists Faith Cherotich and Emmanuel Wanyonyi were named Rising Stars of 2023. Ethiopia’s world 10,000m silver medallist Letesenbet Gidey has been named winner of the International Fair Play Award. And the President’s Award for 2023 went to the Abbott World Marathon Majors, a series of six of the largest and most renowned marathons in the world.
NATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEES
Côte d’Ivoire NOC
The 2023 edition of Olympic Day took place on 2 December in the city of Bouaké. The event, organised by the NOC, brought together more than 3,000 people, including many children – both girls and boys – and elderly people. NOC First Vice-President Jean-Marie Allah Kouamé, Mayor of Bouaké Amadou Koné, who is also the Transport Minister and the ambassador of the event, Adama Soumbia, Technical Advisor to the Ministry of Sport and Leisure, and several sports movement stakeholders also took part in the traditional walk that finished at Dijbo Sounkalo lycée, where they participated in a fitness session. Olympic Day 2023 was a chance to encourage the population of Bouaké to do regular sporting activity and learn more about some of the Olympic sports and disciplines, thanks to sports demonstrations by 18 national federations. The IOC President’s Olympic Day video message was also shown.
Dominican Republic NOC
Sailing and wushu coaches, technical officials, athletes and federation leaders have taken part in a sports administration course, which ended with diplomas being presented to the participants. The course was organised with the support of Olympic Solidarity and coordinated by the National Olympic Academy. The aim was to share knowledge with federation staff on the various areas of sport, with presentations on a range of topics, such as governance in sports management; harassment, abuse and violence in sport; the Olympic values and fair play; strategic planning; project management; and more. Further details here.
Estonian Olympic Committee
The NOC celebrated its 100-year anniversary on 8 December. The festive day began with the Estonian flag being raised early in the morning. Two-time Olympic champion Kristina Šmigun-Vähi, the first medallist from newly independent Estonia Indrek Sei, and NOC President Urmas Sõõrumaa raised the flag at Pikk Hermann Tower in Tallinn. A ceremony was held at the Town Hall in the presence of Olympic champions and guests, including European Olympic Committees President and IOC Member Spyros Capralos, Finnish Olympic Committee President Jan Vapaavuori and Latvian Olympic Committee General Secretary Kārlis Lejnieks. The keynote speech was given by the President of the Republic of Estonia, Alar Karis. More details here.
Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOC)
The HOC, in collaboration with the Greek NGO METAdrasi (project coordinator) and the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB), celebrated the launch of the “Together in Sport – Phase II” project with an event held at the HOC premises on 6 December. Over the next three years, at least 10,000 children and young adults will participate in free regular sports training sessions, one-off events and cultural activities across various locations in Greece, starting in Athens and Piraeus. The launch event highlighted the achievements of Phase I and included impactful statements from participating volunteer coaches and elite athletes. Detailed info here.
United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC)
The USOPC, in partnership with Olympic Solidarity and Panam Sports, hosted the 5th Americas Best Practices Symposium on 9 and 10 December in Miami. The leaders of all 40 active NOCs in the Pan American family attended the symposium with the goal of advancing sporting excellence in their countries. Topics discussed at the symposium included strategic planning, sports analytics, good financial governance, performance innovation, social impact, athlete safety and mental health, the legacy of the Pan American Games, digital marketing and more. USOPC Secretary General Sarah Hirshland, Panam Sports President and IOC Member Neven Ilic, Panam Sports Vice-President Susanne Lyons and Olympic Solidarity Associate Director Joanna Zipser-Graves were a few of the featured speakers during the symposium. Panam Sports also hosted the 2nd Panam Sports Awards on 9 December. Full news release here.
Venezuelan NOC
The sixth edition of the Glorias Deportivas national games concluded on 9 December at the National Sports Institute, with the Venezuelan Minister for Youth and Sport, Mervin Maldonado, in attendance. The event was held over five days in the cities of Caracas et La Guaira, with numerous sports and disciplines on the programme and more than 1,900 former athletes taking part. In addition, the second edition of the Youth and Sport Exhibition, led by the Ministry of Youth and Sport, is taking place from 14 to 17 December in United Nations Park in Caracas. The 2023 edition is featuring interactive exhibitions, concerts and sports demonstrations.
ORGANISING COMMITTEES FOR THE OLYMPIC GAMES
PARIS 2024
During the meeting of the Paris 2024 Board of Directors on 11 December at the headquarters of the Organising Committee, important decisions were taken to ensure the proper governance of the Games project. These decisions included the adoption of a balanced budget for the Organising Committee and the transfer of Paris 2024's flagship programmes for legacy and engagement, ensuring the positive impact of the Games will be extended well beyond 2024. Read the full details here.
BRISBANE 2032
Brisbane has marked another achievement on its journey towards hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2032, with the Australian city joining the new Sustainable Development Goals Cities x Olympism365 initiative. The innovative joint programme between the IOC and UN-Habitat aims to create communities where sports and physical activities are integrated into daily life, fostering healthier, happier and more inclusive cities and urban communities. Full news release here.
ORGANISING COMMITTEES FOR THE YOUTH OLYMPIC GAMES
GANGWON 2024
Ten additional highly experienced athletes, who will support, advise and inspire participants at the Winter Youth Olympic Games Gangwon 2024, have been announced as Athlete Role Models (ARMs) by the IOC. They join the 17 athletes already unveiled as ARMs and will play a key role as mentors for those competing in Gangwon. Discover the names of these 10 new ARMs here.
RECOGNISED ORGANISATIONS
Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA)
At the invitation of the ANOCA President, IOC Member Mustapha Berraf, the Sports Minister of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Ashraf Sobhy, and his counterpart from the Democratic Republic of Congo, François-Claude Kabulo Mwana Kabulo, met to discuss ways to strengthen the close ties that exist between their two countries in the area of sport. Following meaningful discussions, and as part of sports agreements between the various entities, the three parties jointly decided to support Egypt’s bid to host the 2027 African Games. The Democratic Republic of Congo reasserted its commitment to the African sports movement by opting to host the African Games in 2031. Both countries will work closely together, in consultation with ANOCA and all stakeholders, to ensure the overall success of the 2027 African Games in Egypt. This will be a pioneering initiative in the lead-up to the 2031 Games in the Democratic Republic of Congo and will involve an exchange of expertise. Detailed info here. Read the December issue of the ANOCA Newsletter here, featuring an exclusive interview with Mustapha Berraf, who says: “In Africa, women and sport give real meaning to life and development.”
International Committee of the Mediterranean Games (ICMG)
The ICMG Executive Committee met recently in Tirana, with ICMG President Davide Tizzano in the chair. Also present were Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, the Deputy Minister of Education and Sports, Endrit Hoxha, and the Albanian NOC President, Fidel Ylli. The meeting agenda included a presentation on the Mediterranean Games Taranto 2026, the programme of core sports in the Mediterranean Games, and reports from several commissions. Full details here.
International Paralympic Committee (IPC)
At the Global Refugee Forum 2023, the IPC announced plans to support a Refugee Paralympic Team (RPT) at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. With the support of several stakeholders and partners, including UNHCR, the French Ministry of Sport, and Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner Airbnb, the IPC will provide a pathway for Para athletes with refugee status to compete at these Games. Underlining its support for the 114 million people who are forcibly displaced worldwide, the IPC also signed the Joint Pledge on Sport for Inclusion and Protection at the Global Refugee Forum, a contribution by the sports ecosystem to improve the lives of displaced people. Full details here.
World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)
WADA has shared the newest development on its website – an optimised filtering tool that allows researchers and stakeholders to search for scientific and social science WADA-funded projects based on research themes, researcher name, institution, country, year of approval, etc. The tool can be accessed directly through the menu on WADA’s website in the Data and Research section. More details here.
NEXT EDITION
A special edition of the “Olympic Highlights” will be published at the end of 2023. We would like to take this opportunity to wish you all an enjoyable festive period.