Olympic Highlights 30/10/2020
IOC ACTIVITIES
president
IOC President Thomas Bach chaired an Executive Board (EB) meeting held via conference call on Friday 23 October. The EB was provided with interim reports on the situation of athletes in the Republic of Belarus and on the latest developments in the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF).
During its virtual meeting, the EB followed up on its decision from 7 October 2020 to strengthen its investigation into the compliance of the NOC of the Republic of Belarus with the Olympic Charter. In response to various lines of enquiry, the IOC has been provided with detailed information from both the NOC and the NOC’s Athletes’ Commission on this matter, and assurances were obtained on the NOC’s full compliance with the Olympic Charter. Nonetheless, the IOC EB has again expressed its serious concern with regard to the overall situation of the sporting community in Belarus, will continue to monitor the situation of Belarusian athletes in advance of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 and the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022, and remains open to receiving any further information relating to athlete discrimination on the grounds of political views if these athletes are under the authority of the NOC.
The IOC EB was also updated on the latest developments in the International Weightlifting Federation. The IOC has established contact with the new interim President of the IWF, Dr Michael Irani. Following its own decision on 7 October 2020, the IOC EB remains highly concerned about the confusing decisions taken by the IWF Board in the last few days, particularly as regards the chosen replacements as Acting President, as well as the global governance of the International Federation. At this stage it is too early to make any recommendation in follow-up to its decision from 7 October 2020, but the ongoing actions of the IWF will be closely monitored. Full news release here.
IOC President Thomas Bach received the prestigious Seoul Peace Prize on Monday 26 October. President Bach joined the ceremony virtually from Lausanne, with the award collected on his behalf by the former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon.
Presenting the award, Seoul Peace Prize Cultural Foundation Chairman Yeom Jae-ho said: “IOC President Thomas Bach is a man who carries the mission of the Olympic spirit to achieve peace through sport; an example who truly lives what he teaches.” He went on: “President Bach has promoted friendship and harmony around the world. He has greatly contributed to resolving conflict and division in many regions through the practice of sport. In doing so, he has proven himself to be a great Olympic champion who dedicates himself to peace.”
In his acceptance speech, President Bach told the audience: “This prize belongs to the entire International Olympic Committee and all of the Olympic Movement. Without their tireless work and all the support of so many from all around the world, these achievements for peace through sport could never have been accomplished.” For the full text of the IOC President’s acceptance speech, click here.
The Seoul Peace Prize comes with a USD 200,000 prize which the President will donate to the Olympic Refuge Foundation and three other social charities. Full news release here. For the full press release from the Seoul Peace Prize Cultural Foundation, click here.
On Wednesday 28 October, President Bach delivered a virtual lecture to a seminar, co-hosted by the Chey Institute for Advanced Studies and the Seoul Peace Prize Cultural Foundation, entitled “Opening the Door to Peace: The Opportunities and Limits of Sports”. President Bach later took questions from students and academics who joined the virtual event.
At the invitation of Olympian Johannes Vetter, the 2017 javelin world champion, President Bach took part in an Instagram Live on Wednesday 21 October. Vetter had collected questions from the German athlete community about the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 and the preparations for the Games by the IOC. He said that he and many athletes he has spoken to are longing for the Games. President Bach emphasised that the IOC and the Organising Committee are working tirelessly to ensure successful Olympic Games in 2021, and encouraged the athletes to stay focused on their training.
In a meeting held by video conference, President Bach and IOC Member Mathlohang Moiloa-Ramoqopo, also President of the Lesotho NOC, discussed various Olympic matters, in particular the development of sport in Africa.
The IOC President also sent a message to Olympians during the General Assembly of the World Olympians Association (WOA), of which he is Honorary President, saying that: “In these difficult times, we need our shared values of excellence, friendship, respect and solidarity. As Olympians, you personify these Olympic values in the best possible way […] With your support and inspiring messages, you have demonstrated that solidarity runs strong in our Olympic community. This General Assembly is sending an important message: sport, athletes and importantly Olympians are ready to contribute to the rebuild of a more humane society, a more inclusive society.” (See also under “Recognised organisations”.)
President Thomas Bach joined the opening of the first meeting of the IOC Coordination Commission for the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028, chaired by EB member Nicole Hoevertsz. He shared his appreciation for all the work being done by the team in Los Angeles despite the difficulties caused by COVID-19. (See also under “Commissions”.)
President Bach congratulated Brazilian football legend Pelé on his 80th birthday on 23 October. In a video message, he praised him as "an Olympic athlete", even if he never made it to the Olympic Games. But because “you have been living the Olympic values in all your career." And this why “we are very happy and proud to have you (Pelé) as one of the recipients of the Olympic Order”.
President Bach will address the IOC Commissions which will meet remotely in the coming days.
The IOC President recently published an editorial entitled “Sport and politics: My experiences as an athlete”. Read the full text of the editorial here.
honorary Members
The IOC was saddened to learn of the death, on 16 October, of IOC Honorary Member Günther Heinze at the age of 97. A civil servant with a political science degree, Heinze first ventured into sports administration in 1954 as Deputy Chairman of the State Committee for Physical Culture and Sport in the former German Democratic Republic (GDR). After that, he served in many other organisations, especially in basketball, as he was a referee for the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) from 1952 to 1956. President Bach said: “Günther Heinze was a very engaged IOC Member for many years, whom I got to know during my time in the IOC Athletes’ Commission. Up to his death he followed developments in the Olympic Movement in a very interested and positive way. It was widely appreciated how he paved the way for the reorganisation of sport in Germany after the reunification in 1990 by offering his resignation as an IOC Member.” Heinze was also Vice-President of the NOC of the GDR between 1955 and 1972 and from 1982 to 1989, and Secretary General from 1973 to 1982. His second stint as NOC Vice-President followed his 1981 entry in the IOC, where he served in several commissions. Full news release here.
The IOC was saddened to learn of the death, on 25 October, of IOC Honorary Member **Lee Kun-hee **at the age of 78. The Chairman of the Samsung Group since 1987, Lee Kun-hee was responsible for growing the company from a local business in the Republic of Korea into one of the global leaders in technology and a Worldwide Olympic Partner. IOC President Thomas Bach said: “Lee Kun-hee made a great contribution to the Olympic Movement and the success of the Olympic Games by not only making Samsung a TOP Partner of the IOC, but also by promoting the Olympic Games worldwide and by fostering the bond between sport and culture. This Olympic legacy of Lee Kun-hee will continue to live on.” One year after Mr Lee’s rise to the position of Chairman, Samsung began its legacy with the Olympic Games as a local sponsor at Seoul 1988. With the Olympic Winter Games Nagano 1998, the partnership elevated to the worldwide level, which continues to today. He was also a member of the Korean Olympic Committee, later becoming Vice-President then Honorary President. Lee Kun-hee was elected as an IOC Member in 1996 – joining the Cultural and Finance Commissions. Full news release here.
Commissions
The Coordination Commission for the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Dakar 2026, chaired by IOC EB member Kirsty Coventry, held two days of virtual meetings that focused on the Organising Committee’s renewed plans, which now span over a six-year period after the Games were postponed, earlier this year, from 2022 to 2026. By adapting the project to a new timeline, all parties have agreed to build on the positive progress to date. Notable highlights include the approval of the Edition Plan in July this year and the commitment to reach gender equality across all sports. The new timeline has also allowed for further integration of the recommendations outlined in Olympic Agenda 2020 and the New Norm, as Dakar 2026 and the IOC work together to deliver a YOG model that can be used as a blueprint for Senegal and for future hosts. Full news release here.
The first meeting of the IOC Coordination Commission for the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 (LA28) concluded on 29 October, with updates detailing the strong foundations laid by the local Organising Committee, its achievements to date and plans for the coming months as it looks to deliver innovative Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Commission, chaired by IOC EB member Nicole Hoevertsz, focused on a number of areas during two days of virtual meetings. Topics included LA28’s vision and mission, sport and venue plans, as well as the success of its brand and commercial programmes. Full press release here.
Other Olympic news
The Olympic Museum in Lausanne was among 100+ iconic buildings and monuments to be lit up in blue, the official UN colour, on Saturday night, 24 October, to celebrate United Nations (UN) Day, which this year marks the 75th anniversary of the organisation. On the occasion of UN Day, the IOC President Thomas Bach conveyed his heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, in a video message released on Saturday on the IOC’s social media channels. Talking about UN Day, the IOC President said: “This milestone takes place during unprecedented times when the entire world is fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. The global coronavirus crisis is only the latest challenge that highlights why the UN and its mission to work towards a better and more peaceful world for all humankind, is more relevant than ever”, before adding “In our uncertain times, this UN Day sends an important message of hope to the world: we are always stronger together.” In January 2020, the United Nations launched a global consultation to mark its 75th anniversary. Through surveys and dialogues, people and organisations from across the world were asked about their hopes and fears for the future, their priorities for international cooperation and for the United Nations. As of September 2020, more than a million people across the world had responded to the UN75 survey, including the IOC President, who also invited the Olympic Movement to join him in sharing its views as well. Full news release here.
The IOC has awarded Seven West Media Ltd. (Seven) the Australian broadcast rights for the XXIV Olympic Winter Games in Beijing in 2022. Seven has acquired broadcast rights on all media platforms for Beijing 2022. As announced in 2014, Seven will also continue to be the IOC’s broadcast partner in Australia for the Games of the XXXII Olympiad in Tokyo. Full news release here.
international federations
summer ifs
The first e-conference held by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) to find solutions to ensure a positive culture and safe training environment in the sport turned out to be a highly encouraging demonstration of the will for change. During this forum – organised in two identical sessions on 26 and 27 October – the FIG gave the floor to top athletes, coaches, sports administrators, sports figures and several national federations. Over 800 people from around 80 federations followed the conference, which was organised as an interactive forum. Full info here.
Meeting on 22 October via online conference under the chairmanship of its President, Narinder Dhruv Batra, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) Executive Board (EB) ratified the revised FIH Gender Equality Policy. In doing so, the FIH has reiterated its commitment to reaching gender-equal representation off the field of play (e.g. in the composition of its committees). The FIH will be holding a number of webinars to promote gender equality. Furthermore, the EB approved the applications of Gambia, Saudi Arabia and Timor-Leste as provisional FIH Members. More details here.
The International Swimming Federation (FINA) and its Technical Artistic Swimming Committee have developed a brand-new concept for a virtual challenge in the discipline. Coaches and experts have created the* Artistic Swimming Virtual Challenge*, which consists of a 45-minute dryland routine to be performed by the athletes entering the competition across the globe. In these uncertain times, and adjusting to the swimming pool access restrictions around the world, the goal is to provide a unique opportunity for the community to engage in a fun challenge that can be joined from anywhere. The routines will be filmed using an Instagram water effect app that gives the illusion of athletes performing in the water. The Challenge will be broadcast on the FINA Instagram page and YouTube channel on December 18, 19 and 20. More details at www.fina.org
Twenty-four members of the sports community of the International Modern Pentathlon Union (UIPM) have been selected to take part in the inaugural Virtual Youth Festival (VYF). Two young athletes will promote the Festival as ambassadors, while 20 others will take part in the “Max Fit” exercise contest and two judges will work as International Technical Officials. The UIPM’s involvement in the VYF follows the creation of two virtual sports events in 2020 (#LaserAllStars and #LaserHomeRun), designed to bring the multi-sports community together online during the COVID-19 pandemic. Full details here. In addition the UIPM Executive Board has voted in favour of a proposed new Modern Pentathlon format for the Olympic Games Paris 2024. The proposal has been shared with UIPM’s member federations, which have been invited to submit suggestions and remarks before the final application is presented to the IOC. Full details here.
Morocco’s Bouchra Hajij (right in photo) and Indonesia’s Rita Subowo (left) have become the first-ever women to lead the African (CAVB) and Asian (AVC) Continental Volleyball Confederations respectively. Both Hajij and Subowo, who are also Executive Vice-Presidents of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), have showcased their dedication to developing volleyball worldwide throughout their careers. Hajij, a former women’s national volleyball team player, has led the Royal Moroccan Volleyball Federation since 2014 and has served as a CAVB Executive Board Member since 2015. She also joined the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA)’s Gender Equality Commission earlier this year. Subowo previously led the National Volleyball Federation of Indonesia, and has served as an AVC Executive Vice-President since 2015. She was also the Indonesian NOC President and an IOC Member from 2007 to 2015. More details here.
The International Surfing Association (ISA) Executive Committee met remotely on 15 October via video conference (see photo) and reviewed a number of strategic matters for the organisation. Considering the circumstances of the global pandemic, the Executive Committee approved the postponement of the 2020 Annual General Meeting (AGM), originally scheduled to be held during the Surf City El Salvador World Surfing Games (WSG), which have been postponed to 2021. The AGM will be scheduled at a date to be confirmed during the 2021 WSG in El Salvador. More info about the decisions here. In addition, the ISA announced that 11 National Federations have been selected to receive financial support via the ISA’s solidarity fund. More than USD 35,000 will be distributed to fund projects that will aid communities that have been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Full details here.
national olympic committees
Abderrahmane Hammad, President of the Algerian NOC and Second Vice-President of the Organising Committee for the 19th Mediterranean Games, Oran 2022, led a delegation visit to Oran on 18 October. At a meeting held at the headquarters of the Games Organising Committee, the progress that has been made with the Games preparations was reviewed. The infrastructure, accommodation, accreditation, and Games promotion were among the themes addressed during the meeting. More info here.
To mark the 57th anniversary of its creation and also National Press Day, on 24 October the NOC organised a “Sport and Media” day. A number of themes were addressed on a range of topics, including the creation of the NOC, Algeria’s participation in the Olympic Games, the careers of Algerian Olympic medallists and the role of the press in covering the Games. There was also a tribute to five journalists for their contribution to the development of sport and the Algerian sports press. More info here.
The online signing ceremony of a bilateral cooperation agreement between the Chilean Olympic Committee and the Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee (CTOC) was held on 29 October in Taipei, with live interaction with the Chilean Olympic Committee from afar. CTOC President Hong-Dow Lin (see photo) and Chilean NOC President Miguel Ángel Mujica Brain signed this agreement, which will strengthen their organisations’ relationship. With this agreement, the CTOC is striving to initiate more sports exchanges and sustain unity within the Olympic family despite the pandemic. More details here.
The Colombian Olympians Association was officially created on 17 October, following a virtual constitutive ordinary General Assembly attended remotely by 57 athletes. The President of the Colombian NOC, Baltazar Medina, opened the General Assembly, before handing the floor to Amaranta Acosta, a representative of the World Olympians Association (WOA). The 57 athletes elected Alfredo González – who competed in the shooting competition at the Olympic Games Montreal 1976, Los Angeles 1984 and Seoul 1988 – as President of the Association. Paulo Villar will become the Secretary General and Administrative Vice-President. Full info here. In addition, 15 athletes and two coaches will become spokespersons for the #HealthyTogether, #UnidosMásSaludables campaign in Colombia. Internationally, the campaign was launched by the IOC, the United Nations and the World Health Organization, which have joined forces to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, with the assistance of athletes to pass on the message. The athletes and coaches will invite their citizens to adopt or follow behaviours that will contain the pandemic. More info here.
On 16 October, the British Olympic Association confirmed Hugh Robertson (see photo) as Chair for a second term, which will take him up to and including the Olympic Games Paris 2024. First appointed in November 2016, replacing Sebastian Coe, Robertson acted as Vice-Chair from 2015. This will be Robertson’s final term – one which has seen Team GB continue to cement its place within the global Olympic landscape. More info here.
In the framework of the HeForShe campaign, the NOC of Lithuania has published a fourth video on the theme “Love for Football and the Value of Equality in the Family of a Lithuanian and an American”. This video relates the story of Heraclio Ulises Perezas, an American who moved to Lithuania to be with his beloved Justina Lavrenovaitė-Perez, a football referee and coach. Today, the couple (see photo) coach girls to play football, and live their personal lives based on their own rules. HeForShe is a solidarity campaign for gender equality established by UN Women. More info at www.ltok.lt.
As part of a series of Olympic visits, the NOC of Morocco recently received a group of young athletes from the national table tennis team to introduce them to Morocco’s Olympic history (see photo). In addition, in cooperation with the Regional Anti-Doping Organisation (RADO), the NOC organised a doping awareness session for the national judo and taekwondo teams. More info at www.cnom.org.ma.
On 25 October, the Vice-President of the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee (SAOC), Prince Fahad bin Jalawi (left in photo), and Princess Dilayel bint Nahar, SAOC Director of Sports and Federations Relations, awarded 30 female trainees with their doping control officer (DCO) certificates after they successfully completed the 1st women’s training course for DCOs organised by the Saudi Arabian Anti-Doping Committee (SAADC). The event was held under the supervision of SAADC President Mohammed Salih Alqunbaz and Secretary General Abdulaziz Almsaad at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Olympic Complex in Riyadh. The three-day workshop covered the key topics of detection, awareness and training, and included both written and practical exams.
Peter Gilchrist (cue sports) and Cherie Tan (bowling) were named Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year 2020 at the Singapore Sports Awards ceremony, organised by the Singapore National Olympic Council and Sport Singapore. The awards honoured the most deserving individuals and teams in sport from the past year, and celebrated those who helped shape Sporting Singapore. The NOC President, Tan Chuan-Jin, was the guest of honour at the event and presented the awards in the various categories, with the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, Edwin Tong. More details here.
The Spanish NOC has just received Sustainable Sports Entity Certification from Bureau Veritas, demonstrating its alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The NOC thus becomes the first NOC in the world, and the first sports organisation in Spain, to receive this recognition. To obtain this certification, the NOC has worked over the past few months with the Planet Fair Play consultancy to adapt its social responsibility management model to the 17 UN SDGs, focusing on environmental, social and gender equality issues. This initiative by the NOC reflects its commitment to the 2030 UN Development Programme and the IOC’s Sustainable Development Strategy. The certification was presented on 22 October at the NOC headquarters, to NOC President Alejandro Blanco, by Bureau Veritas President Bertrand Martin and Planet Fair Play President Albert Agustí (photo). More details here. In addition, the NOC recently organised its 7th Coaches Day to take stock of and present the latest developments in high-level sport. The virtual session was attended by 300 coaches, the Minister for Culture and Sport, José Manuel Rodríguez Uribes, and NOC President Blanco. More details here.
In partnership with the Athletes’ Advisory Council and national governing bodies, the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) has announced that more than USD 1.4 million was raised for the COVID Athlete Assistance Fund by the US Olympic & Paralympic Foundation, giving 1,220 US athletes a supplemental one-time stipend of USD 1,163. The fund was established in July to assist athletes who have incurred financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the postponement of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020. For more information, click here.
On 26 October, Venezuelan boxer Francisco “Morochito” Rodríguez celebrated the 52nd anniversary of his Olympic gold medal during a ceremony held in his home town of Cumanés. In 1968, at the Olympic Games in Mexico City, he won Venezuela’s first ever Olympic gold medal. The ceremony was attended by the Venezuelan NOC President Eduardo Alvarez and several big-name Venezuelan boxers and Olympic athletes (see photo). More info here. In addition, on 21 October, the NOC officially formed the new team that will be in charge of its commissions for the 2020-2021 period. The nine commissions, which will be overseen by the NOC Secretary General, Elida Párraga, are: Women and Sport; Medical and Doping; Ethics and Values; Marketing; Sport and Ecology; Education; Technical; Olympic Academy; and Sports Development. More details here.
Organising Committees for the Olympic Games
Tokyo 2020
The Tokyo Aquatics Centre was inaugurated on 24 October with a ceremony showcasing sport and inviting residents of the neighbourhood to discover this new facility. The Tokyo Aquatics Centre will host Olympic swimming, diving and artistic swimming and Paralympic swimming competitions. It will become the cornerstone of Japanese swimming after Tokyo 2020. It will also function as a swimming facility where everyone – from children to seniors – can engage in sport and improve their health and well-being. With the Tokyo 2020 Games postponed to July 2021, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) has decided to open the facility for private use and to sports federations for competition and practice use from 25 October 2020: a glimpse of the Games’ rich legacy even before they take place. Full news release here.
Recognised organisations
The Executive Committee (ExCo) of the European Olympic Committees (EOC) unveiled on 21 October a new logo for the Piotr Nurowski Prize, awarded annually to the “Best European Young Athlete” from winter and summer sports. EOC Secretary General Raffaele Pagnozzi presented the logo to the ExCo during its 8th meeting of 2020, held virtually. The logo features a five-pointed star that symbolises the rising stars nominated for each award, with the main point coloured gold to signify the winner. The logo also represents togetherness, friendship and partnership, as well as the power of sport and the limitless opportunities for young athletes, who can achieve whatever they set their minds to. More info here.
On 14 October, the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) held a meeting by video conference at the initiative of ANOCA, with the aim of strengthening cooperation with the USOPC. The session was co-chaired by Mustapha Berraf, ANOCA President and IOC Member, and Susanne Lyons, USOPC President. Together, they discussed several important areas of cooperation, notably the implementation projects within the framework of the joint fight against COVID 19, training, support for major events and exchanges between technical officials, managers and athletes. Africa/USA forums are now scheduled to be organised based on diversity, inclusion and gender equality. The two parties also noted, with great satisfaction, the tangible progress made thanks to the Cooperation Agreement signed on 18 October 2019 in Doha (Qatar).
During a videoconference on 26 October, the Council of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) discussed key items for the upcoming 44th ASOIF General Assembly, which will be held virtually on 9 November 2020. This year’s Assembly will feature the election for the next term of the ASOIF presidency. The Council confirmed that Francesco Ricci Bitti, Honorary Life President of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and current ASOIF President, will stand for a third and final term of office at the General Assembly. The Assembly will also decide on certain amendments to the ASOIF Statutes to ensure gender-neutral language and allow ASOIF to hold its General Assembly virtually and vote by electronic means in the future. The Council appointed Sabrina Ibáñez, Secretary General of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI), as the new Chair of the ASOIF Diversity and Gender Equality Consultative Group, and Tom Dielen, Secretary General of World Archery, as the new Chair of the ASOIF Parasport Consultative Group. More details here.
The Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) and the International Testing Agency (ITA) are supporting the majority of International Sports Federations (IFs), from full members to Observers, to update their Anti-Doping Rules to ensure compliance with the 2021 World Anti-Doping Code. In March 2020, the two organisations also held a virtual seminar to provide guidance on the topics of compliance and rules adaptation. More details here.
Investigations, substances of abuse and research on doping prevalence will be among the themes of the “live” webinars hosted by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) for November. Info and schedule here. In addition, WADA has launched a call for proposals for its 2021 Social Science Research (SSR) Grant Programme. Expressions of interest (EOIs) are to be received via the Agency’s WADAGrants platform, no later than 22 November 2020. More details here.
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has published an updated version of its governance review proposal “Remaining Fit for Purpose”, following 10 months of consultation with IPC members, Para athletes and stakeholders. Originally shared with stakeholders at October 2019’s IPC Conference in Bonn, Germany, “Remaining Fit for Purpose” focuses on nine key principles which aim to ensure that the IPC remains a world-leading sports organisation. Full details here. In addition, the IPC has confirmed plans to send up to six athletes to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games as part of a Refugee Paralympic Team (RPT). Ileana Rodriguez – herself both a former refugee and a London 2012 Paralympian –has been appointed the Chef de Mission for the RPT. Full details here.
Joël Bouzou OLY was re-elected as President of the World Olympians Association (WOA) during the organisation’s General Assembly held online. Anthony Ledgard Grimm OLY and Patrick Singleton OLY were also re-elected as Secretary General and Treasurer respectively. In addition, four new members were elected to the Executive Committee. In addition to the elections, the WOA opened consultations on its 2021-2024 Strategic Plan, which will set out the future direction of the organisation. A total of 96 National Olympians Associations and more than 180 Olympians joined the Assembly. More details here.
During a meeting on 17 October in Osimo (Italy), the Assembly of Panathlon International (PI) re-elected Pierre Zappelli for another four-year term. The Assembly also elected a new International Board and, for the first time, a woman – Orietta Maggi – was appointed Vice-President. Simona Callo will continue to serve as Secretary General. More info at www.panathlon-international.org.