Olympic Highlights 25/06/2024
IOC
PRESIDENT
IOC President Thomas Bach spent Olympic Day in the French capital, where the legacy, vision and ideals of Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the IOC and reviver of the Olympic Games, were celebrated throughout the day.
With just 32 days to go until the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024, Olympic Day came to a close on Sunday evening in the majestic setting of the Sorbonne, where it all began 130 years ago. The emotion was palpable at the ceremony, thanks in particular to the presence of Pierre de Coubertin's descendants. The president of their family association, Alexandra de Navacelle, was expressly thanked by President Bach for this exceptional moment.
In this emblematic Parisian venue, President Bach paid tribute to this precious legacy. He also addressed some critical voices of Coubertin and emphasised that “every human being has the right to be judged only in the context of his or her time”. He added: “I'd like our visionary founder to be judged more often in the same way. Coubertin was what we would call today a peace activist.” In attendance were Tony Estanguet, President of the Organising Committee of the Olympic Games Paris 2024, IOC Member and President of the NOC of France David Lappartient, IOC Member Michelle Yeoh, and IOC Member in South Africa Anant Singh.
Earlier in the day, the IOC President inaugurated the exhibition “Coubertin, Genius of Sport” in the presence of Rachida Dati, Minister of Culture of France and Mayor of the 7th arrondissement of Paris, where the exhibition is hosted. The exhibition whose creative director was Olympic writer George Hirthler, aims to place Coubertin within the context of his historical time. On this occasion, he was accompanied by David Lappartient, Anant Singh and Abhinav Bindra, an IOC Athletes’ Commission member.
President Bach then went on to inaugurate a sculpture offered by the IOC to the City of Paris, celebrating the legacy of the Olympic Games and created by Los Angeles artist Alison Saar. The piece of art, named “Salon”, created for the Olympic Games Paris 2024, is inspired by the spirit of togetherness – where there is always a seat for everyone. Read the full news release here.
The IOC President was in Budapest (Hungary) on 20 June to witness the final stage of the Olympic Qualifier Series (OQS). Throughout his visit, he was accompanied by Zsolt Gyulay, President of the Hungarian Olympic Committee, and Balázs Fürjes, an IOC Member and co-Chair of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the OQS in Budapest. President Bach watched the sports action and met a number of athletes from all four sports (BMX freestyle, breaking, skateboarding and sport climbing).
He further praised the LOC of the event. The President also met with Hungarian schoolchildren participating in the Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP) activities at the OQS Urban Park.
Additionally, President Bach visited the AliExpress showcase, which launched its global campaign, “Find Your Sport”. During his visit, the IOC President met the Presidents of the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC), World Skate and the World Dance Sport Federation (WDSF), Marco Scolaris, Sabatino Aracu and Shawn Tay, respectively. Read the full news release here.
This year’s Olympic Day theme, Let’s Move and Celebrate, aims to ignite a collective passion for the Olympic Games Paris 2024 by encouraging people to get active and feel connected through sport. On this occasion, the IOC President has highlighted the importance of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 in inspiring the world to move. More details here.
On 21 June, the Olympic Day celebrations were organised at Olympic House. In this Olympic Year, “Olympic Day is of particular importance for the Olympic Movement, and for Lausanne, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary as the Olympic Capital,” said the President in his speech. With 35 days to go until the Olympic Games Paris 2024, he continued: “The world is looking forward to these Olympic Games as a moment of togetherness. A moment of joy. A moment of hope. A moment of solidarity. A moment of peace.” Numerous personalities from the Canton of Vaud and the City of Lausanne, as well as representatives from IFs and other sports organisations were present.
The IOC President took part in the inauguration of the new location of the cauldron from the Winter Youth Olympic Games Lausanne 2020 in the Fair Play Space in Vidy, a stone’s throw away from Olympic House. Lausanne Mayor Grégoire Junod, President of the Lausanne 2020 Organising Committee Virginie Faivre, and Municipal Councillor for Sport and Social Cohesion Émilie Moeschler were also present. The cauldron was lit specially for the occasion, with an audience that included representatives from the world of sport, the cantonal authorities and the host sites of the Lausanne 2020 competitions. Full details (in French only) here on the City of Lausanne website.
At Olympic House, President Bach presented the Pierre de Coubertin Medal to Portuguese artist Telmo Guerra, who unveiled his latest works, a ceramic portrait of Coubertin and another engraved in metal. On presenting the medal, the President said: “Much like sport itself, your art speaks to us in a universal language, transcending borders, cultures and generations. Your lifelong pursuit of artistic excellence is enriching the word with a message of hope and inspiration.” The ceremony was attended by Denis Oswald, IOC Executive Board member, Anne Rogge, the widow of former IOC President Jacques Rogge, and Pedro Sequeira Ribeiro in charge of the Commercial and Marketing Department of the Portuguese NOC.
Also on Olympic Day, the President took part in the IOC-Olympic Capital meeting, which was attended by the President of the Vaud Council of State, Christelle Luisier Brodard, and Lausanne Mayor Grégoire Junod. The discussions focused on various topics of mutual interest and the strong ties between the IOC and the City of Lausanne.
President Bach met the President of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), Sheikh Saud Ali Al Thani. They discussed various Olympic subjects, particularly the preparations for the basketball tournaments at the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
The IOC President spoke on the phone with the President of the Palestinian NOC, Jibril Rajoub. He reaffirmed that the IOC will continue to do its utmost, under these extremely difficult circumstances and within its remit, to help the Olympic community and the athletes from Palestine in their preparations and their qualification for the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
The IOC President welcomed Olympic Solidarity scholarship-holders for Paris 2024, and coaches from the Taekwondo Competence Centre from Friedrichshafen, Germany, at Olympic House. One of them, Elizabeth Oluchi Anyanacho from Nigeria, previously took part in the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. The President presented her with her diploma and OLY pin. She then signed the Olympians Wall. The Centre in Friedrichshafen is an Olympic Solidarity training centre partner, currently hosting seven Olympic Solidarity scholarship-holders from various countries in Africa and Asia.
The IOC President also met Michael Evans, Director and President of Worldwide Olympic Partner Alibaba. The excellent cooperation between the two organisations, in particular Alibaba’s engagement with the Olympic Movement, the IOC’s digital strategy, and artificial intelligence, as well as the Olympic Games Paris 2024 were discussed.
The IOC President chaired the annual meeting of the International Olympic Truce Centre (IOTC) Board, in the presence of Vice-Chairs George Papandreou and Fanny Palli Petralia. The Board members were presented with updates on activities and strategic planning for the Centre, together with new internal regulations, and updates on the Paris 2024 and Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Truce programmes.
TOP PARTNERS
Corona Cero, the global beer sponsor of the Olympic Games, has launched a new campaign to encourage fans to embrace the “golden moments” that occur not only at the Olympic Games, but in everyday life as well. The “For Every Golden Moment” platform marks the no-alcohol brand’s inaugural Olympic Games activation since its brewer, AB InBev, became a Worldwide Olympic Partner in January this year. Full news release here.
Worldwide Olympic Partner OMEGA has launched a memorable marketing campaign ahead of the Olympic Games Paris 2024, turning the host city’s most recognisable landmarks into a sporting arena for the world’s greatest athletes. Find out more here.
OTHER OLYMPIC NEWS
French fashion label Lacoste has unveiled an exclusive collection of apparel and accessories to celebrate the centenary of the Olympic Games Paris 1924, as part of its licensing agreement with the IOC. The limited-edition range is the sixth collaboration between Lacoste and the IOC to celebrate an iconic edition of the Olympic Games and forms part of the Olympic Heritage Collection, which offers products featuring art and design elements from previous Games, connecting fans and collectors with the rich heritage of past Olympic Games. Full news release here.
On World Refugee Day, 20 June, the first-ever Olympic pin for the Refugee Olympic Team was revealed, continuing the goal of bringing the team together with their own unique identity and encouraging people to get behind the refugee athletes competing at Paris 2024. The unique design features the team’s new emblem – a unifying symbol bringing together diverse athletes. Full details here.
On the same day, when she was attending a handball session of the Terrains d’Avenir programme, Masomah Ali Zada, Chef de Mission of the Refugee Olympic Team Paris 2024, highlighted the important role of sport in supporting the integration of refugees and displaced people in their new communities. You can read what she said here.
Ahead of World Refugee Day, the Olympic Refuge Foundation (ORF) reiterated its commitment to building a global movement which supports refugees and displaced people to thrive through sport – whether through the IOC Refugee Olympic Team at the Olympic Games or through its programmes at community level. Discover all the details here.
As part of the series following Olympic Solidarity scholarship-holders on the road to Paris, discover the story of Barbadian 400m runner Sada Williams here. Read also the stories of Iceland's triathlete Edda Hannesdóttir, and of Jordanian taekwondo star Julyana Al-Sadeq.
INTERNATIONAL FEDERATIONS
SUMMER IFS
International Basketball Federation (FIBA)
The official schedule for the 3x3 basketball Olympic Games tournament is now available. The world's top 3x3 players will compete across eight men’s and eight women’s teams during seven days of competition from 30 July to 5 August, on the iconic Place de la Concorde in the heart of Paris. Full details including the schedule here.
International Gymnastics Federation (FIG)
The FIG Executive Committee has chosen the Japanese Gymnastics Association and the city of Kitakyushu, located in the Fukuoka Prefecture, to organise the 2nd FIG Parkour World Championships. The competition will take place outdoors from 15 to 17 November 2024 in Katsuyama Park. More details here. The drawing of lots for rhythmic gymnastics for the Olympic Games Paris 2024, which determines the order in which athletes and nations will compete in the qualification and final rounds, was held on 20 June at the FIG headquarters in Lausanne. See the info here. Find also here the draws in artistic gymnastics and trampoline.
World Sailing
World Sailing has announced its ambition to return to the Paralympic Games after publishing its first Para Inclusive Strategy, guiding the growth of the sport through to 2029. The Para Inclusive Strategy 2024-2029 focuses on growing Para Sailing in collaboration with Member National Authorities, major events, and the world governing body of sailing to deliver a more inclusive sport and increase the number of countries participating in Para Sailing. More details here.
World Athletics
On the occasion of World Refugee Day, World Athletics reported how its Kid’s Athletics programme helps to make Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya a home. Kids’ Athletics is a grassroots participation programme, currently implemented in more than 150 countries. It uses the power of athletics to inspire children and young people – wherever they are and whatever their circumstances – to be more active, develop their skills and confidence, and connect with sport and physical activity for life. Read the full story here.
NATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEES
Dominican Republic NOC
Olympic Day was celebrated at the Olympic Centre in Santo Domingo. A walk was organised to mark the occasion, and numerous athletes, federation presidents, league and club members, and Olympic leaders, including NOC President Garibaldy Bautista, took part. The day’s activities were organised with the support of the NOC’s Olympic Solidarity programme, and included tree planting, with the creation of an Olympic garden; discussions led by the NOC’s Women & Sport and Environment commissions; a recreational sports demonstration; and an art exhibition. More details here. A sports administration course was recently held by the NOC, with the support of Olympic Solidarity and coordinated by the National Olympic Academy. The course was for the staff of clubs that are members of the Dominican Clubs Federation (Fedoclubes). It was held at the “Albergue Olímpico” in Santo Domingo, and brought together more than 45 participants, including coaches, technicians, athletes and leaders, who all received their participation diploma. More details here.
Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC)
The SF&OC organised the "2024 Olympic Day" event in the West Kowloon Cultural District. With the Olympic Games Paris 2024 set to open next month, the public are being asked to support and cheer on Hong Kong athletes. The event, the theme of which was “Run with Hong Kong Athletes”, featured a 5km and 3km individual run, and a 2km family fun run, and brought together more than 4,000 participants. A number of free games booths were set up for the public. Athletes also attended the event and shared their sporting experiences and how they enjoyed the fun of sport, encouraging the public to develop a healthy lifestyle by doing physical exercise. More details here.
Lithuanian NOC (LNOC)
The Olympic Movement’s 100th Anniversary Walking Challenge, which had been taking place for more than three months to commemorate the centenary of the Olympic Movement in Lithuania, ended on 7 June, on the eve of the celebration of Olympic Day. Organised by the LNOC with the sustainable mobility platform and mobile app Walk15, and supported by Olympic Solidarity, the challenge attracted 22,510 participants from 60 countries around the world. The overall goal was to walk around the Earth 100 times in 100 days. But this was already achieved halfway through the challenge, with the participants having reached the total of 11.3 billion steps or 8 million kilometres between 29 February and 7 June. More details here. In addition, the sixth season of the Dreams & Teams project, funded by the LNOC and the British Council in Lithuania, ended with a ceremony held at the Republic of Lithuania President's Office. The project, which has been running since 2017, is aimed at developing students' leadership and teamwork skills through sports activities. More info at www.ltok.lt.
Moroccan NOC
The NOC’s medical and administrative staff recently took part in antidoping training ahead of the Olympic Games in Paris. The training was organised by the Moroccan Antidoping Agency in Rabat on 13 June. In addition, the CNOM’s Digital Olympic Academy organised a video conference on the theme “Legal protection of athletes during international competition”. More info at www.cnom.org.ma.
Paraguayan NOC
The NOC officially presented the team that will be going to the Games in Paris at a ceremony with the theme “El Equipo de Todos” (“Everyone’s Team”) on 18 June. Those attending included Paraguayan President Santiago Peña, NOC President and IOC Member Camilo Pérez López Moreira and Sports Minister César Ramírez. The names of the two flagbearers at the Opening Ceremony were also announced: Fabrizio Zanotti and Alejandra Alonso. More details here. Several talks were organised as part of Olympic Week. Talks on high-level sport and health brought together national coaches and athletes. A Forum for athletes also addressed the issues of communication and finance. In addition, OLY diplomas from the World Olympians Association (WOA) were presented to Paraguayan Olympic athletes who have competed at the Games since Munich 1972. Info at www.cop.org.py.
Spanish NOC
On 20 June, the NOC and its global sustainability partner, Banco Santander, presented 28,000 unveiled Spanish flags as part of the project named “Tu esfuerzo desfila en los Juegos” (“Your efforts paraded at the Games”). David Cal, a five-time Olympic medallist in canoe sprint, received the bulk of the flags made from recycled sports gear and which will accompany the Spanish delegation in Paris. NOC President Alejandro Blanco and Banco Santander Head of Media, Online Marketing and Events Felipe Martín were also in attendance on this occasion. More details here.
Venezuelan NOC
Activities to mark the 2024 edition of Olympic Day – with the theme “#VamosAMovernos” (Let’s Move) – were held in and around the headquarters of the Venezuelan NOC. The local population, particularly children, were able to try out a number of sports and disciplines. Athletes, NOC President Maria Soto and NOC Secretary General Katiuska Santaella also took part. Furthermore, the NOC’s auditorium hosted a Forum in tribute to Flor Isava Fonseca, named “Vida, Obra y Legado de Flor Isava” [The Life, Work and Legacy of Flor Isava]. A member of the Venezuelan equestrian team at the 1956 Games, Ms Isava Fonseca was one of the first women to be elected as an IOC Member in 1981. During the Forum, the creation of the “Flor Isava” Chair was initiated. This Chair will be based at the Libertador Experimental Pedagogical University (UPEL), in collaboration with the Venezuelan Sports Law Association.
ORGANISING COMMITTEES FOR THE OLYMPIC GAMES
PARIS 2024
With fewer than 40 days to go until the start of the Games, Paris 2024 has announced the appointment of Maud Le Pladec, a renowned choreographer and Director of the Centre Chorégraphique National d'Orléans, as Director of Dance for the Paris 2024 ceremonies, and choreographer of the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony. As part of Ceremonies Artistic Director Thomas Jolly's team, Le Pladec will be responsible for defining the choreographic vision for the ceremonies, creating original pieces and working with other great names in dance to create the artistic tableaux for the four Paris 2024 ceremonies. Full news release here.
On 20 June, Paris 2024 presented a sample of the sports equipment and facilities that will be used in competition and training during the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024. A total of more than 1.2 million items of sports equipment will be produced, some of which will be branded in the Paris 2024 Look of the Games, making it easy to recognise at a glance where and when the sporting action they are being used for is taking place. Full news release here.
LA28
Updates to the Olympic and Paralympic Games LA28 venue masterplan have been revealed, with the Organising Committee prioritising the use of world-class arenas and stadiums to deliver an unparalleled experience for athletes and fans alike. Additional benefits relating to sustainability, legacy and economics are anticipated, with the city preparing to host the Games in only four years’ time. Full details here.
RECOGNISED ORGANISATIONS
International Olympic Academy (IOA)
The 64th International Session for Young Olympic Ambassadors of the IOA was opened by the President of the Hellenic Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou at the Lighthouse of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre. ΙΟΑ President Isidoros Kouvelos welcomed the 140 Young Ambassadors from 80 countries, and the Session’s coordinators and speakers. Held until 21 June in Ancient Olympia, this year’s Session was placed under the general theme of “The athlete in society”, with “The athlete in modern society: inspiring and fostering unity” as a special topic. Hellenic Olympic Committee Deputy Secretary General Iakovos Filippousis conveyed a message from the IOC President. During the ceremony, the IOA President awarded the “Olympia” honorary distinction to Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki for her contribution to the organisation of the Olympic Games Athens 2004. The “Athena” honorary distinction was awarded to the National Olympic Academy of Bahrain, with the award being received by Bahrain Olympic Committee President Khalid bin Hamad Al-Khalifa. Full info here.
International Sports Movies TV Federation (FICTS)
In view of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024, the FICTS organises “Emotions of the Games on the screen - Passion des Jeux” in the context of “Passions Olympiques” - in collaboration with the Italian Cultural Institute in Paris and the Ministry of Italian Foreign Affairs. From 24 June until the end of the Paralympic Games, at the Italian Cultural Institute in Paris, the best footages of the Games, sports productions and Olympic movies on the screen. Also on the programme, events with champions and sports disciplines, meetings, shows, performances, exhibitions. More info at www.sportmoviestv.net
International Association of Olympic Collectors (AICO)
The AICO has announced the opening of the Maison de l’Association Française et Internationale des Collectionneurs Olympiques (House of the French and International Association of Olympic Collectors), at the Parc des Nations in Paris La Villette. It will be open for the whole of the Olympic Games, hosting two major cultural events revolving around Olympic collections and collectors, as part of the Paris 2024 Cultural Olympiad. Read the full news release here.
World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)
WADA has launched the new Call for Proposals for the 2025 Scientific Research Grant Programme. Since 2001, WADA has invested more than USD 90 million in research grants for more than 650 projects. These grants are critical because they increase the volume and diversity of research dedicated to developing new and improved detection methods for performance-enhancing substances and methods. Full info here. In addition, WADA has announced Independent Observer teams for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024. More here.