Olympic Highlights 26/10/2022
IOC ACTIVITIES
PRESIDENT
Last week, IOC President Thomas Bach was in Seoul, Republic of Korea, for the General Assembly of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) which was chaired by ANOC Acting President and IOC Executive Board (EB) member Robin Mitchell.
In his State of the Olympic Movement address to ANOC, the IOC President stressed the overriding need for unity in tackling the global challenges facing the sporting world following the Russian invasion of Ukraine (full text of the speech here). He highlighted that, nearly eight months since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the reasons for the sanctions and the protective measures issued by the IOC continue to persist. He explained that the war in Ukraine continues to represent a blatant violation of the principles of the Olympic Charter and that therefore the sanctions against the Russian and Belarusian states and governments imposed by the IOC “must and will remain firmly in place”.
Addressing the presidents and secretaries general of the NOCs, he told them: “The fact that we cannot overcome our dilemma at this moment must not only not prevent us, it must even encourage us, to explore ways of how we can overcome it in the future.” And he made an appeal to all NOCs: “Let us not divide our precious Olympic Movement. Let us together walk this path of unity and peace. Let us together live up to our Olympic mission. Keep following the sanctions and protective measures. Do not do less, because doing less means you divide the Olympic Movement. Do not do more, because doing more means you divide the Olympic Movement.”
Later in the speech, President Bach went on to say that, on the foundation of this unity, the Olympic Movement can look ahead to the future with great confidence. Read the full news release here.
In the evening, President Bach attended the 2022 ANOC Awards, during which the very best athletes from Beijing 2022 were recognised for their outstanding performances, such as freestyle skier Gu Eileen who was crowned as the Best Female Athlete of Beijing 2022 (see also under “Recognised Organisations”).
Also in Seoul, President Bach gave a keynote address at the Seoul Legacy Forum – the theme of which was “Olympic Legacy and the Next Generation” – emphasising the importance of the Olympic Games as a unique platform to create opportunities and drive change to have a positive impact on millions of people. “The ultimate aim of Olympic legacy is to ensure that people and communities benefit for generations to come from hosting the Olympic Games. This is what brings all of us together today. A belief in the power of sport to be a force for good in the world.” (see also under “Other Olympic News”).
President Bach had a dinner with the IOC Members in Korea, Lee Kee-heung, who is also President of the Korean Sport and Olympic Committee, and Ryu Seung-min. They discussed the development of sport in the country and future projects. The two Members accompanied the President for much of his visit.
A meeting with the presidents of the NOC Continental Associations also took place: with Mustapha Berraf (Africa), Spyros Capralos (Europe), Robin Mitchell (Oceania), Neven Ilic (America) and Husain Al-Musallam (Director General for Asia). They were joined by ANOC Secretary General Gunilla Lindberg.
President Bach also met the ANOC Executive Council, led by its Acting President, Robin Mitchell.
During the ANOC General Assembly, the President had a wide range of meetings with IOC Members present on this occasion and many NOC presidents and delegates to discuss a wide range of Olympic topics.
The President addressed a meeting of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) chaired by Mustapha Berraf. He praised the NOCs for the continuing development of African sport and the successful performances of African athletes at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.
President Bach’s other meetings included one with Russian Olympic Committee President Stanislav Pozdnyakov, to discuss all issues of mutual interest.
He also met the newly elected President of the Iranian NOC, Mahmoud Khosravi Vafa. They discussed the participation of women in sport in the country and the case of the climber, Elnaz Rekabi. During the meeting they were accompanied by the President of the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC), Marco Scolaris. Afterwards, a phone conversation took place between the athlete, who had returned to Iran, the IFSC, the Iranian NOC and the IOC. The IOC, in coordination with the IFSC and the Iranian NOC, will continue to monitor the situation closely.
Prior to the ANOC General Assembly, the IOC President had a meeting with the President of the Republic of Korea, Yoon Suk-yeol at the presidential office. President Yoon praised the Olympic spirit of peace and reconciliation through sport in these difficult times. The two leaders also discussed the preparations for the Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Gangwon 2024 and the current international situation. A dinner after the meeting was attended by IOC Ethics Commission Chair Ban Ki-moon, an ANOC delegation, led by its Acting President Robin Mitchell, and IOC Members in Korea Lee Kee-heung and Ryu Seung-min.
During his stay in Seoul, President Bach met with the Organising Committee for the Winter YOG Gangwon 2024 to discuss the preparations for the Games. The Gangwon 2024 delegation was made up of the second Vice-Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Cho Yong-man; Korea Sports Council President and Gangwon 2024 Acting President Lee Kee-heung and Ryu Seung-min; and Gangwon 2024 Secretary General Kim Chul-min.
In a ceremony at Seoul National University, President Bach was awarded an honorary doctorate by its President, Oh Se-jung. It was presented in recognition of his “dedication to creating a peaceful and better world through sports.” In the citation, the President of the University noted President Bach’s “outstanding achievements in the field of sport and the remarkable service made to mankind.” He also highlighted the “pioneering efforts made to protect refugees.” In a congratulatory “laudatio” speech by the former United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, President Bach was described as a “genuine bridge builder, innovator, humanist and global citizen.” Accepting the award, the IOC President said: “This honour belongs to the entire IOC and the whole of the Olympic Movement. Because, without the support of so many around the globe, our Olympic mission to make the world a better place through sport could never be accomplished.” Full news release here.
At the University, President Bach also met students on the Master Programme, “Dream Together”. The programme provides a world-class education for the next generation of sports administrators. The programme is supported by the Korean Ministry of Culture, Sport, and Tourism through the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation (KSPO).
Also in Seoul, President Bach had meetings with Hong Jeongdo, the President and CEO of broadcaster JTBC, the future host broadcaster in the Korean peninsula for the Olympic Games from 2026 to 2032, and with a delegation from SBS, the current host broadcaster. The excellent partnership between their organisations and the international situation were discussed during both meetings.
While in Seoul, President Bach presented the Pierre de Coubertin Medal to Yoon Kang-ro and Kim Min-jae. Yoon is currently the President of the International Sport Diplomacy Institute and a Standing Advisor to the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation. He spent more than two decades as an official delegate for the NOC of the Republic of Korea and was involved in the successful organisation of the Olympic Games Seoul 1988. Kim Min-jae is a veteran sports photographer who covered Korean and international sporting events for nearly four decades. He also worked as an ANOC photographer.
President Bach was able to see some sport during his time in Seoul, attending the 2022 WDSF World Breaking Championship, which took place in the Olympic Park.
Before heading back to Europe, President Bach had a dinner with the Vice-President of Worldwide Olympic Partner Samsung, Lee Jae-yong. They discussed the excellent relations between their organisations and the geopolitical situation.
Back in Lausanne, on 23 October the IOC President attended the finish of the 2022 Lausanne Marathon and participated in the 10km.
MEMBERS
IOC EB member Robin Mitchell was elected as ANOC President by the ANOC General Assembly in Seoul. His term will cover the period 2022-2026 (see also under “Recognised Organisations”).
COMMISSIONS
In view of the IOC EB decision of 8 September 2022 and as, unfortunately, no solution could be found between the NOC of Guatemala and the relevant authorities in Guatemala within the prescribed deadlines, the suspension of the NOC of Guatemala became effective on 15 October 2022. Read the full news release here.
OTHER OLYMPIC NEWS
Olympic legacy entities gathered at the Seoul Olympic Legacy Forum to collaborate and share best practices aimed at furthering key Olympic Games legacy programmes. The Forum, which was hosted by the Korea Sport Promotion Organisation (KSPO), the Olympic legacy entity created following the Olympic Games Seoul 1988, and organised with the support of the IOC, was held on 18 and 19 October in Seoul. It was an opportunity for stakeholders to exchange experiences on a wide range of topics from pre-Games legacy and intangible legacies to the long-term benefits of legacy and legacy governance. Legacy entities also agreed together on a joint declaration (full text here) at the Seoul Olympic Legacy Forum. Together, they will engage diverse social groups in creating Olympic legacy, collaborate with other stakeholders, and share best practices while also promoting and celebrating the legacy of the Games. Read the full news release here.
The Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 reached a global broadcast audience of more than 2 billion people, according to independent research conducted on behalf of the IOC. In addition to the significant increases in digital viewing and consumption of broadcast coverage, the Olympics web and app platforms reached 68 million unique users during Beijing 2022 – more than double the reach achieved during the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018. Full news release here.
INTERNATIONAL FEDERATIONS
SUMMER IFS
The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and the Festival International des Sports Extrêmes (FISE) have announced the first three rounds of the 2023 UCI BMX Freestyle World Cup. This World Cup will comprise a total of six rounds, with the first three taking place in Diriyah (Saudi Arabia) in February, Montpellier (France) in May and Brussels (Belgium) in July. Full details here.
The International Modern Pentathlon Union (UIPM) has released its E-Laser Run version 2.0. E-Laser Run is an original creation from the UIPM that combines running and shooting in a fast-paced and dynamic race, including two rounds of laser pistol shooting. More info here.
The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has confirmed the calendar for the final period of the 2022 ITF World Tennis Tour season. Approximately 250 tournaments are currently scheduled in the final three months of the year. In total there will have been 1,054 tournaments on the Tour in 2022 (529 on the Women’s Tour, 525 on the Men’s Tour). More details here.
NATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEES
A sports administration course was recently organised for the Dominican Weightlifting, Rugby, Taekwondo and Dance Sport Federations. The course took place at the Albergue Olímpico in Santo Domingo, as part of the Olympic Solidarity programme coordinated by the Dominican Republic NOC. The NOC President, Antonio Acosta, was in attendance and reiterated the importance for the NOC of preparing and training leaders from various federations through the sports administration course. More info here.
As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, on 18 October the Venezuelan NOC organised an educational focus day to raise awareness about breast cancer prevention. The NOC auditorium hosted a discussion and presentation session entitled “A simple check can save your life” (“Un toque puede cambiar tu vida”). A number of women, including a doctor, a patient in remission and a survivor, shared their knowledge and experiences, reiterating the importance of prevention and every individual fight against the illness.
ORGANISING COMMITTEES FOR THE OLYMPIC GAMES
PARIS 2024
More than 330 representatives of the main media and press agencies were hosted by Paris 2024 last week at the World Press Briefing, providing them with important information about Games-time media operations and an opportunity to visit some of the iconic venues that will be used in 2024. Full news release here. In addition, on 18 October, Paris 2024 presented its volunteer programme for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Some 45,000 volunteers will be mobilised across France to contribute to the success of the largest sports event in the world. To become a volunteer for Paris 2024, check out the candidature platform when it opens in March 2023. Full info here. On 20 October, the Paris 2024 Board of Directors met at Pulse, the headquarters of the Paris 2024 Organising Committee in Saint-Denis, and approved the concept for the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympic Games in the city. The idea is to hold a celebration in the heart of Paris, between the Champs-Elysées and the Place de la Concorde. This decision has been endorsed by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). More details here.
RECOGNISED ORGANISATIONS
The XXVI General Assembly of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) closed on 20 October following a week of meetings and discussions in Seoul. Alongside the election of Robin Mitchell as ANOC President, Qatar Olympic Committee President Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani was elected as ANOC Senior Vice President for 2022-2026. Both sports leaders were elected unopposed. More details here. On its closing day, the ANOC General Assembly agreed on several resolutions. The General Assembly expressed its solidarity with the Olympic community in Ukraine, as well as with the Olympic communities in all countries facing conflicts and natural disasters. It also approved the ANOC Sustainability Plan and approved the Sustainability Pledge. ANOC has committed to reducing its carbon emissions by 50 per cent by 2030 and to reach net zero by 2040. More details here. Bali was selected as the host of the next General Assembly from 13 to 15 August 2023. Read the full resolutions here. In addition, the ANOC General Assembly has fully endorsed the “State of the Olympic Movement” address delivered by the IOC President. Text of the resolution here. In addition, the 2022 ANOC Awards honored amongst others the best athletes and the best teams for their outstanding performances at Beijing 2022. Find out more about all the winners in the different categories here.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Intelligence and Investigations Department (I&I) hosted its first in-person meeting of the Sport Human Intelligence Network (SHIN) in Warsaw, Poland, from 16 to 18 October. The meeting, which involved over 20 representatives from the anti-doping community, was opened by WADA President Witold Bańka and focused on themes such as confidential source recruitment and management; the global whistleblowing landscape; and intelligence collection on the dark web. Full details here. Earlier, from 12 to 14 October, the WADA convened its 2022 Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) Symposium in New Delhi, India. Over 200 anti-doping stakeholders that are involved in all aspects of ABP programmes – including testing, administration, expert reviews and results management – came together to promote the harmonisation of practices and exchange knowledge and lessons learned from ABP cases. This third APB Symposium was graciously hosted by India’s National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) and National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL). Full info here.