Olympic Highlights 20/11/2023
IOC
PRESIDENT
IOC President Thomas Bach underlined the vital need for unity in the sports world against a backdrop of increasing geopolitical tensions, as he welcomed attendees to the 2023 IF Forum in Lausanne.
Addressing the audience at the Olympic Museum, President Bach emphasised sport's ability to bring people together, particularly in times of division, and stressed the overriding need for unity in tackling the global challenges currently facing the sports world. “The current geopolitical tensions are extremely complex. In such times, the unifying power of sport is more important than ever before,” he said. “Today, millions of people around the globe are longing for such a unifying force that brings us all together in our so confrontational world. Our role is clear: to unite – and not to deepen divisions. Therefore, we carry an important responsibility – to stand together for the power of sport and to live up to our shared mission to make the world a better place through sport.”
He thanked the IFs, most of which have amply demonstrated the unifying power of sport during this past year by making it possible for all athletes, regardless of their passport, to compete peacefully.
Looking ahead to next year, President Bach affirmed that the Olympic Games Paris 2024 can be “a symbol of unity and peace” that will bring the world together despite the divisive political climate. The IOC President also addressed the fast-approaching future in the digital world, where the rapid developments in AI and in esports provide the Olympic Movement with both opportunities and challenges.
President Bach’s speech kicked off the three-day IF Forum at the Olympic Museum, which brought together 300 leaders from more than 125 IFs. Organised by SportAccord, and chaired by IOC Executive Board member Ivo Ferriani, the 2023 IF Forum was placed under the theme of “Sport (R)evolution”. Read the full news release here. See also the “Recognised Organisations” section.
President Bach also delivered a speech at the General Assembly of the Association of IOC Recognised International Sports Federations (ARISF), whose President is Raffaele Chiulli. He notably praised the excellent relationship between ARISF and the IOC, and looked forward to continuing this great cooperation in the future, because all challenges can only be addressed together. He also highlighted the importance of strong direct relations between the IOC and each International Federation.
On this occasion, the IOC President met the new presidents of a number of IOC-Recognised IFs: Zena Wooldrige from the World Squash Federation (WSF), Pierre Trochet from the International Federation of American Football (IFAF), Jan Kamras from the World Bridge Federation (WBF) and Piero Dillier from the Federation of International Polo (FIP). He congratulated each of them on their election and discussed several topics of mutual interest and the international situation.
During the Forum, President Bach met the following IF Presidents: Emmanuel Katsiadakis (Interim President, International Fencing Federation – FIE), Marius Vizer (International Judo Federation - IJF), Klaus Schormann (International Modern Pentathlon Union – UIPM) and Marco Scolaris (International Federation of Sport Climbing - IFSC). Their discussions centred on the preparations for next year’s Games in Paris and the current international situation.
The IOC President also met Stephan Fox, President of the Alliance of Independent Recognised Members of Sport (AIMS) whose General Assembly took place at the Olympic House.
Also at Olympic Museum, President Bach addressed the representatives of the IFs and international sports organisations based in Lausanne and the Canton of Vaud during their annual meeting, which was attended by Swiss Federal Councillor Viola Amherd, who heads the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport; the President of the Vaud Council of State, Christelle Luisier Brodard, who heads the cantonal Department of Institutions, Territory and Sport; and Lausanne Mayor Grégoire Junod. As well as highlighting the close relations between the Olympic Capital, the Canton, the Swiss Confederation and the Olympic Movement, the IOC President referred to the international situation and its impact on the sports world.
The President had previously met Ms Amherd and Ms Luisier Brodard. The excellent partnership between the Confederation, the Canton of Vaud and the IOC was discussed. IOC Executive Board member Denis Oswald attended both meetings.
In a ceremony at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, President Bach presented the 2023 Olympic Cup to the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation (THF) in recognition of its long-term commitment to supporting refugee athletes and refugees worldwide through taekwondo. “World Taekwondo, through its Foundation, shares our belief in sport as a force for good in the world. The Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation carries this power of sport to those who need it most: to refugees worldwide and in particular to children and youth, empowering and educating them through taekwondo,” said the IOC President. The THF was founded by World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue at the United Nations headquarters in New York in 2015. World Taekwondo was a partner from the very beginning when the IOC created the first-ever IOC Refugee Olympic Team for the Olympic Games Rio 2016. During the ceremony, World Taekwondo also donated a taekwondo statue to the Olympic Museum. IOC Vice-President Ser Miang Ng also attended the ceremony. Read the full news release here.
President Bach awarded the Pierre de Coubertin Medal to Tony Hall, Baron Hall of Birkenhead, who oversaw the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Olympism. A British theatre and TV administrator, Lord Hall served as chief executive of the Royal Opera ouse, BBC Director General, President of the European Broadcasting Union and Chairman of the National Gallery. He has recently been named Board Chair of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.
At Olympic House, the President presented a diploma and OLY pin to Côte d’Ivoire’s first ever Olympic champion, taekwondist Cheick Cissé, who then signed the Olympians Wall. A gold medallist at the 2016 Games in Rio, Cissé also competed at Tokyo 2020.
Also this week, the President addressed the IOC Athletes’ Commission and the Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commission.
President Bach discussed various topical Olympic issues during meetings with IOC Vice-President Ser Miang Ng and IOC Members Lydia Nsekera, David Haggerty, who is also President of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and David Lappartient, also President of the International Cycling Union (UCI) and of the French NOC.
MEMBERS
IOC Member Uğur Erdener has been unanimously appointed as the new President of SportAccord for a four-year term by the body’s Executive Committee. The President of World Archery, Erdener succeeds International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) and AIOWF President Ivo Ferriani. More details here.
IOC Member Spyros Capralos (r. on photo), who is also President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee and the European Olympic Committees (EOC), has been awarded the Honoris Gratia Medal of the City of Krakow. The distinction recognises his contribution to the promotion and development of the city through the organisation of the European Games, which took place in the Polish city last summer. Capralos received the award during the 7th European Athletes’ Forum and Assembly hosted by the EOC and the Italian NOC last week in Rome. More details here.
COMMISSIONS
he IOC Athletes’ Commission has released the results of its athlete consultation on Rule 40, which was launched this spring and surveyed all Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022 Olympians between 15 May and 22 June 2023. The consultation sought to gain a better understanding of athletes’ practical experiences of using the Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022 athlete advertising framework. The survey results pointed towards the need to increase awareness of the Rule 40 framework and promote the various opportunities available to athletes. Read the full news release here.
OTHER OLYMPIC NEWS
The IOC has announced the winners of the first-ever Let’s Move Street Challenge – the unique online competition supported by Worldwide Olympic Partner Samsung, inviting BMX, breaking and skateboarding enthusiasts to showcase their best moves and creative skills. Twenty-one winners from 13 countries have been selected by the judges from thousands of entries, unlocking an all-access trip to watch some of the best athletes competing for their ticket to Paris 2024 at the first Olympic Qualifier Series in Shanghai. Full news release here.
A new collaboration between the IOC and the international health non-governmental organisation PATH will increase access to health-enhancing community sport activities for over one million people across five countries by 2025. This is part of the overall technical cooperation agreement between the IOC and the World Health Organization (WHO). The IOC, through its Olympism365 programme, together with WHO and PATH will support the delivery of demonstrative community sport projects through national collectives of health and sport stakeholders. Projects will be developed in several countries across the world, beginning in Vietnam to build a proof of concept for the global “Community Sport and Health Cooperation Initiative”, with the goal of expanding this to four additional countries. The initiative was launched in Vietnam, convening stakeholders from both the sports and health sectors from 6 to 10 November in Hanoi. Read the full news release here.
INTERNATIONAL FEDERATIONS
SUMMER IFS
International Union of Modern Pentathlon (UIPM)
The UIPM Executive Board has appointed a 12-strong Fencing Working Group to discuss and analyse options for the fencing element of modern pentathlon at the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028. The group comprises six Olympic pentathletes, plus one who has secured a quota place for Paris 2024 and will be chaired by the UIPM Innovation Commission Chair and triple Olympian, Ivar Sisniega OLY from Mexico. Full details here.
International Tennis Federation (ITF)
Tennis legends Billie Jean King, Conchita Martinez and Arantxa Sanchez Vicario, amongst other influential guests, converged on 12 November at the Estadio La Cartuja in Seville, Spain, for the Advantage All Forum, an initiative which is part of the ITF’s Advantage All gender equality programme. Hosted by Katrina Adams, Chair of the Billie Jean King Cup Committee, and ITF Advantage All Committee, the Forum featured two panel discussions, delving into the paramount importance of gender balance in women’s tennis and sport. The first panel was titled “Champions of Parity” and the second panel, “World Champions: History in the Making”. Full details here.
World Aquatics
The venues for the World Aquatics Open Water Swimming World Cup 2024 have been announced. Discover these five iconic locations across three continents here.
World Rowing
World Rowing and the Japan Sport Council (JSC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), joining forces to cooperate on an international joint research project on virtual sports and indoor rowing. Probable areas of cooperation will include exchange programmes and visits by representatives from both organisations; international joint research; the presentation of case studies at international conferences, seminars and workshops; and the publication of articles and academic papers. The signing ceremony was attended by the JSC President and CEO, Satoshi Ashidate, and Vice-President, Takeshi Kukidome, and the World Rowing President, IOC Member Jean-Christophe Rolland, Executive Director Vincent Gaillard, and Council member Masakuni Hosobuchi. Full info here.
World Sailing
The World Sailing Awards 2023, celebrating excellence and achievement in sailing, took place on 14 November in Malaga, Spain. Discover all the award winners here. Malaga is hosting the 2023 World Sailing Annual Conference from 13 to 18 November. Over 300 delegates, volunteers, committees’ members and the World Sailing Board and Council convene in the Spanish city to review and discuss World Sailing’s strategy for the coming year and beyond, making and ratifying key decisions that will impact sailing at every level, for elite professionals to recreational sailors. More info here.
NATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEES
Argentinean NOC (COA)
The 10th edition of the advanced sports management course, organised by the COA under the auspices of Olympic Solidarity, concluded on 10 November. The course, which had started in March, brought together representatives of national and provincial federations as well as the national institute for high-level sport, with 37 receiving their diplomas. More details on www.coarg.org.ar.
Dominican Republic NOC
As part of the audit performed on the NOC for the 2021-2022 period, a committee from the Auditor General’s office recently visited the NOC headquarters. The committee members, who were greeted by NOC Secretary General Luis Chanlatte, discussed various topics related to the sports movement. Details here.
Jordan Olympic Committee (JOC)
The JOC has launched a campaign entitled “Our Sport, Our Health” to mark World Diabetes Day on 14 November, with free screenings being offered throughout the Kingdom. The JOC is committed to promoting sport and the benefits of healthy living in Jordan and will work with MedLabs, the leading provider of diagnostic laboratory testing in Jordanian healthcare, and in partnership with the Military Consumer Establishment to provide free testing at seven different locations throughout the country. The campaign will include informative brochures about healthy nutrition programmes and the benefits of engaging in physical activities to help prevent or reduce the risk of diabetes. Info at www.joc.jo.
Paraguayan NOC
The NOC headquarters hosted an award ceremony for a short story competition organised by the National Congress Cultural Centre, with the support of the Olympic Academy and the NOC. The 2023 edition bore the name of the mascot of the Santiago 2022 South American Games and the Paraguayan team, Tirika. More detailed here.
NOC of São Tomé and Príncipe
The NOC has organised its first activity as part of its "Desporto para tod@s" (Sport for All) programme. The aim of this programme, supported by Olympic Solidarity, is to visit schools and hold talks and activities to raise awareness of discrimination against women and people with disabilities, and to promote Paralympic and women's sport. The NOC has already been able to see the impact of this programme, with the participation of a young girl with a physical disability, who went to the stadium to do athletics after the organisation of this first event.
Spanish NOC
On 15 November, the Spanish Olympic Forest in Camponaraya was inaugurated. This forest is among five bearing the names of Spanish Olympic Forest, sponsored by Banco Santander, a worldwide partner in sustainable development strategy of the NOC. This project, which aims to leave a sustainable legacy, marks an important step in the fight against climate change and the promotion of biodiversity. The forest will absorb around 185.5 tonnes de CO2 over the next 30 years, which will be used in part to compensate for the carbon footprint generated by the Spanish delegation going to the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. Full details here.
ORGANISING COMMITTEES FOR THE OLYMPIC GAMES
PARIS 2024
On 10 November, Paris 2024 unveiled the route of the Paralympic Torch Relay, which will take place from 25 to 28 August 2024. After being lit in the historical birthplace of Paralympic sport, Stoke Mandeville in England, the Paralympic flame will be symbolically passed between 24 British and 24 French athletes in the middle of the Channel Tunnel. Arriving at Calais, the Paralympic flame will multiply into 12 flames that will fan out across France. Full news release here, including details of the complete route.
BRISBANE 2032
The delivery partners for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Brisbane 2032 have published Elevate 2042, a strategy that sets out how the organisers plan to make the most of their status as hosts to benefit the host cities and the wider Queensland region, both before and after the Games. It follows a year of community consultation resulting in more than 14,000 suggestions. Elevate 2042 has been shaped by the aims and ambitions of Olympic Agenda 2020+5. Read the full news release here.
ORGANISING COMMITTEES FOR THE YOUTH OLYMPIC GAMES
GANGWON 2024
The IOC has announced the 17 Olympic champions, Olympic medallists and Olympians, all former or current world-class athletes, who have been named as Athlete Role Models (ARMs) for the Winter Youth Olympic Games Gangwon 2024. They will support, advise and inspire the young athletes taking part. Find out more about these 17 ARMs here.
RECOGNISED ORGANISATIONS
Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC)
ANOC has just released the second edition of its Newsletter. This month, the theme is gender equality. Click here to read it.
Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA)
ANOCA organised the 40th Seminar for Secretaries General of African NOCs on 4 and 5 November in Mombasa, Kenya. The theme of the seminar was “Countdown arrangement to Paris 2024 Olympic Games”, with sub-themes on NOC roles and responsibilities, and Olympafrica/Olympic Solidarity programmes. Read the press release here. Before the Seminar, a Finance Forum was organised by Olympic Solidarity in conjunction with ANOCA. More details here.
Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF)
Meeting on 13 November in Lausanne, the ASOIF Council discussed the substantial implications of the recent IOC Session decision to expand the programme for the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028. The Council was also updated on the recently launched Fifth Review of IF Governance. Following the SportAccord General Assembly the previous day, the Council members welcomed the adoption of the new statutes for SportAccord. The Council also agreed to hold the next ASOIF General Assembly on 9 April 2024 in Birmingham, Great Britain, during the SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit. Full details about the meeting here.
SportAccord
Hundreds of global sports leaders and industry experts gathered at the Olympic Museum for the three-day IF Forum from 13 to 15 November, spanning several topics under the overall theme of “Sport (R)evolution”. During the Forum, organised by SportAccord, delegates heard from senior colleagues and a selection of outside experts on subjects including strategies thathave improved gender equity in sport, examples of how IFs have used technology to grow their audience and revenue as well as the headwinds that are being felt across all sports, including supply side squeezes and global instability. Full detailed info here. On the eve of the Forum, on 12 November in Lausanne, the SportAccord General Assembly ratified new statutes, under which SportAccord will operate according to a revised governance structure whereby all of the IF umbrella bodies will be represented, as reflected in the new composition of the Executive Committee. The new statutes also bring the association into line with best practice corporate governance, clearly defining roles and responsibilities between the Executive Committee, the General Assembly and the Secretariat. More details here.
International Paralympic Committee (IPC)
The IPC and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) have hailed the remarkable impact of En Sus Marcas, Listos…Inclusion (ELI) for using Para sport to change the lives of thousands of people in vulnerable communities across the Americas. The ELI initiative was launched in 2017 as a transformative partnership between the IDB and IPC to use Para sport as the key tool in delivering socio-economic inclusion for people with disabilities across the region. Over the past six years, three editions of the ELI partnership have been delivered. Full details here.
International Sports Cinema and Television Federation (FICTS)
The 40th edition of the Sport Movies & TV – Milan International FICTS Festival was held under the slogan “Culture Through Sport” from 7 to 11 November in Milan, Italy. The event included, among other things, 136 screenings, 3 exhibitions, 30 awards and 803 champions on the screen, and a special showcase dedicated to the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Organised by FICTS, whose President is Franco Ascani, the Festival opened with a video message from the IOC President, in the presence of Andrea Abodi, Italian Minister for Sport and Youth; Andrea Varnier, CEO Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation; Giovanni Malagò, Milano Cortina 2026 President, Italian NOC President and IOC member; and Francesco Ricci Bitti, ASOIF President. The 2023 edition brought together national and international guests from cinema, TV and sport, and other sports champions and representatives of the 130 FICTS members countries. More info at www.sportmoviestv.com.
World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)
WADA has published new Guidelines for Human Source Management, which will serve as a model of best practice for the management of Human Sources by Anti-Doping Organisations. The use of a Human Source, a term that includes informants and whistleblowers, is a legitimate and important investigative tool in the fight against doping and has been an integral part of the prosecution of many Anti-Doping Rule Violation cases. The management of Human Sources must be of the highest ethical and professional standard to ensure the protection of their identity and the confidentiality of the information they provide. Full news release here.