IOC Session receives updates on implementation of Olympic Agenda 2020
After the unanimous approval of Olympic Agenda 2020 in December 2014 each IOC Session will have a section devoted to the implementation of the 40 recommendations. Today at the 128th IOC Session in Kuala Lumpur, reports were delivered on the bid process, sport programme and host city proposal, turnkey solutions, roles of the International Federations, support to athletes, preparations for the launch of the Olympic Channel, ethics, changes to the IOC Commissions, and changes to the Olympic Charter.
IOC Olympic Games Executive Director Christophe Dubi and IOC Sports Director Kit McConnell provided a detailed report on the implementation of the first three recommendations of Olympic Agenda 2020 – shaping the bidding process as an invitation recommendation, evaluating bid cities by assessing key opportunities and risks, and reducing the cost of bidding.
“Olympic Agenda 2020 brings not only effectiveness and transparency but also opportunities for smaller countries, which were a little discouraged by the higher costs and investments recently made by certain Organising Committees,” said IOC Member in Slovakia Danka Bartekova. “I welcome these initiatives because it means there is a possibility even for smaller countries to bid for the Olympic Games. A wider range of countries that can apply means a more diverse experience not only for the athletes but also for Olympic fans and supporters around the world.”
IOC Member in the Netherlands Camiel Eurlings called the fact that four European National Olympic Committees (from France, Germany, Italy, and Hungary) and the United States Olympic Committee have expressed their commitment to bid for the 2024 Olympic Games a “hopeful development” that showed just how well-received the Olympic Agenda 2020 recommendations have been.
“I would take this positivism to continue incentivising ourselves and to keep on implementing these recommendations vigorously,” he said. “Let us remain very open to the flexibility that is provided in these recommendations. I clearly think we are on the right track.”
NOC Relations
The IOC granted full recognition to the South Sudan National Olympic Committee. Click here for more information.
Olympic Programme
In line with the Olympic Charter, the Session today approved the programme of the XXIV Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022, which is the same as that for the XXII Olympic Winter Games Sochi 2014. The sports are skiing, biathlon, curling, luge, bobsleigh and skeleton, skating, and ice hockey. All seven Olympic sports contributed significantly to the success of the Olympic Winter Games Sochi 2014, bringing real added value to the programme.
A proposal from the IOC Executive Board on the possible inclusion of new events on the programme for the Olympic Winter Games 2022 would be presented to the IOC Session before the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018.
World Flying Disc Federation
The World Flying Disc Federation (WFDF), meanwhile, was granted full IOC recognition today by the Session. The IF had been provisionally recognised in 2013 and is in full compliance with IOC requirements as specified in the IOC Recognition procedure adopted by the IOC Executive Board in April 2007.
The WFDF is the international governing body of all flying disc sports, including ultimate, beach ultimate, disc golf, freestyle, guts, and individual events. The IF counts 62 member associations that represent flying disc sports and their athletes in more than 58 countries.
IOC Administration, others
The Session also heard reports on legal affairs, the IOC administration, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and International Council of Arbitration for Sport (ICAS).