KALYAN KUMAR MAHATA The true appellation of Apu.

SOCHI 2014

Ski halfpipe champion James Machon hopes to be on the podium in Sochi

©Getty Images

29/11/2013

British ski halfpipe champion James Machon is hoping that his Olympic Solidarity Scholarship will help propel him onto the podium when the sport makes its Olympic debut at the 2014 Winter Games

How did you get started in ski halfpipe?

I learned to do basic tricks on a dry slope halfpipe at Sheffield Ski Village, in the UK in 2004. It was the only artificial halfpipe in the world at that time and was only 20 minutes from my house, so I skied after school in the evenings. The halfpipe walls were around 10ft high, compared to the walls of a snow halfpipe, which are 22ft (6.7 metres) high. In 2006, I went to the British Championships in Laax, Switzerland and competed in all the freestyle events. This was the first time I had skied a real snow halfpipe, which was pretty intimidating, but I loved it and I was addicted from there.

When did you realise that you had the talent to compete at the elite level?

I was training on the halfpipe at Copper Mountain, USA, one day as a rookie and there were lots of professionals there when I tried my first unnatural 900 [a backwards aerial spin with two-and-a-half rotations]. I remember being really scared but I landed it first time. I didn’t think much of it at the time, but afterwards a few professionals came up to me and told me it took them years to learn. Learning new tricks has always come naturally to me, so this gives me confidence to believe in myself to continue to compete at the elite level. 

What has been your greatest sporting achievement so far?

Being ranked in the top 15 on the AFP [Association of Freeskiing Professionals] world ranking at the start of the Olympic qualifying season. I have also won the British Halfpipe Championships for four consecutive years, which has never been done before.

What would it mean to you to compete at the Sochi 2014 Winter Games?

It would be incredible, particularly after the success of London 2012. Also, Sochi will be the first Winter Games to host the halfpipe skiing event. I can’t imagine anything better; it would be the best feeling in the world to land a good run there.

Who has been the biggest influence on your career and why?

Before the GB Freeski team was founded, I trained for years with renowned freeski coach Elana Chase. Her coaching had a huge influence on the level of my halfpipe skiing; it was definitely a turning point in my ski career.

How has your Olympic Solidarity Scholarship helped you?

It has really helped me this year with financial support. In previous years, I’ve had to work through the summer so I can ski in the winter. The Olympic Solidarity Scholarship has allowed me to focus 100 per cent on training all year round, which is what’s needed to compete at the elite level. I’m really grateful for their support and it’s made a massive difference to my career.

What is a typical training week like for you?

On a weekly basis I see a physiotherapist and a strength and conditioning coach, and I’m in the gym most days. Currently I’m in rehab for a knee injury and my focus is to make my body as strong as possible so I can complete my Olympic qualification. Balancing skiing, trampolining, strength and conditioning and injury prevention all together is a full-time job, but the best weeks are when I’m on snow. 

Do you have a pre-competition routine that you follow?

I always wax my own skis, and wear my newest pair of ski socks. I have a warm-up routine and then do some practice runs. At the top of the halfpipe while waiting to compete, I listen to music and visualise my competition run. When I’m about to drop in, I turn on my competition tune, which is a hip-hop track. I always compete to this track as it gets me in the zone.

Who are your sporting heroes?

Jessica Ennis, the heptathlon gold medalist at London 2012. She is a great role model and a big sporting hero. She is also from my hometown, Sheffield, and her achievements in athletics give me motivation towards achieving my goals in Sochi in 2014 and beyond.

Do you use social media networks?

Yes, of course. I like to use Twitter and Instagram. I see some amazing places through skiing, which I want to share with everyone. Networking is great to showcase freeskiing to a wider audience. I hope my updates and achievements in skiing inspire others to believe in their dreams and achieve great things.
Would you like to know more about Ski Halfpipe?Kevin Rolland tells you all about it in the following video:

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KALYAN KUMAR MAHATA The true appellation of Apu.

27 November 2013 - Press releases

New horizons for Olympic Movement as Brasov and Lausanne bid for 2020 Winter Youth Olympic Games

It will be terra nova for the Olympic Movement in 2020, as the Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG) head to one of two cities that have never previously hosted an edition of the Olympic Games.
Brasov (Romania) and Lausanne (Switzerland)* both submitted their applications to host the 3rd edition of the Winter YOG to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) by the 28 November deadline.

IOC President Thomas Bach said: “We are delighted that Brasov and Lausanne are in the running for 2020 and want to bring the spirit of the Youth Olympic Games to their cities. Both candidates have signalled their strong interest in hosting the YOG, and we look forward to receiving each bid’s vision on how these Games can best reach young people and benefit their communities in a sustainable way. It promises to be a close race all the way to the election in 2015.”

The first edition of the Winter YOG was held in Innsbruck in 2012, with the second edition scheduled to take place in Lillehammer in 2016. Innsbruck hosted the 1964 and 1976 Olympic Winter Games, while Lillehammer held the 1994 Olympic Winter Games.

Approximately 1,000 athletes take part in the Winter YOG, which last a maximum of 10 days and are held at a time of year that best suits the sporting calendar and climate of the host region. YOG hosts are encouraged, wherever possible, to use existing venues to stage the Games.

The next deadline in the 2020 bid process is 12 December 2013, the date when Brasov and Lausanne must submit the signed 2020 YOG Candidature Procedure.

* The cities are listed in alphabetical order.
Timeline – 3rd Winter Youth Olympic Games 2020 Bid Process

- Signature of the 2020 YOG Candidature Procedure: 12 December 2013

- Submission of the YOG Candidature File and other documents: 17 June 2014

- Shortlist of YOG Candidate Cities by the IOC Executive Board: 2-3 December 2014

- Report by the IOC Evaluation Commission: April-May 2015

- Election of the Host City of the 3rd Winter Youth Olympic Games in 2020: July/August 2015

For more information:
YOG Brochure
Candidature procedure and questionnaire

###

For more information, please contact the IOC Media Relations Team:
Tel: +41 21 621 6000 email: pressoffice@olympic.org, or visit our website at www.olympic.org.
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KALYAN KUMAR MAHATA The true appellation of Apu.

Olympic Games Legacy

More London 2012 legacies coming to life

©Getty Images

28/11/2013

More legacies of hosting the London 2012 Olympic Games are being realised, with the first tenants set to move into properties at the former Olympic Village site and the Aquatics Centre being announced as the home of a new Diving High Performance Centre.

The new East Village development, which housed 23,000 athletes and officials during London 2012, has welcomed residents in 50 of the 2,818 apartments and townhouses following the conversion of the Olympic Village accommodation.
Since the end of the Games, the Olympic Delivery Authority and its contractors have been reconfiguring all the homes in the former Olympic Village, removing temporary features and fitting new kitchens and flooring. Work is continuing on the remaining homes, which will be handed over in phases during the remainder of 2013 and the first part of 2014.
Sir John Armitt, Chairman of the Olympic Delivery Authority, said: “This is the London 2012 legacy really coming to life, with each week extra families, couples and individuals getting the keys to their new homes. We were determined they should get the same high standards as athletes and spectators enjoyed during London 2012. That’s taken time but we are confident the people of East Village will love their new homes.”
The new homes range from one-bedroom apartments to four-bedroom townhouses, with balconies, spacious private terraces, or gardens. They are centred around private courtyards, with neighbouring public spaces including new parklands, wetlands and children’s play areas, all on the doorstep of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Elsewhere in the Park, the Aquatics Centre has also undergone significant transformation since the Olympic Games and is now set to provide world-class facilities for both elite athletes and the local communities.
It has also been announced that the venue will become the home of a new Diving High Performance Centre, which will provide training facilities for the country’s leading divers while also inspiring a new generation of divers to take up the sport.
Dennis Hone, Chief Executive of the London Legacy Development Corporation, said: “It is fantastic news that the Aquatics Centre will become home to British diving. These world-class facilities will be used by some of the country’s top divers when it opens next year.
“The Centre will be a high performance training facility and competition venue as well as open to the public for the same price as the average cost at local pools. These elite sports will sit alongside community sports to provide a lasting legacy for all.”

KALYAN KUMAR MAHATA The true appellation of Apu.

Sochi 2014 Ticket Centres open in Sochi and Moscow

©Sochi 2014

26/11/2013

The Sochi 2014 Organising Committee has opened ticket centres in Sochi and Moscow, giving fans even more opportunities to buy tickets for next year’s Olympic Winter Games.

The two new centres, which will be open seven days a week, will allow fans to not only buy tickets over the counter using a Visa card or cash, but will also give those supporters who purchased tickets on the official website the opportunity to collect their tickets in person.
Fans in other countries and territories, meanwhile, can still purchase tickets from their local National Olympic Committee (NOC) or an appointed Authorised Ticket Reseller (ATR). A full list of ATRs can be found on the Sochi 2014 ticketing website.
The Sochi 2014 ticketing programme is one of the largest in the history of the Winter Games and has been designed to allow as many people as possible to experience the Games first-hand, with ticket prices starting at just 500 RUB (approximately USD 17), while more than 40 per cent of all tickets cost less than 3,000 RUB (about USD 99). Fans are also able to buy tickets to any sport for 1,500 RUB (about USD 50) or less.
The second phase of online ticket sales was launched on 10 October and, as additional tickets become available, fans will be able to purchase Games tickets at both the main ticket centres and the official ticketing website. Additional ticket offices will be opened at Olympic venues during the Games.
All ticketholders are also required to obtain a Spectator Pass, which, in addition to their ticket, will allow them to gain entry to the event, as well as helping to minimise queues at venues during the Games.
In recognition of Visa's support for the Olympic Games for over 26 years, Visa cards will be the only cards accepted when paying for tickets to the Games.

 

IOC holds meeting with Government and National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka

KALYAN KUMAR MAHATA The true appellation of Apu.

27/11/2013

INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE

www.olympic.org

 

The IOC met today in Lausanne with a delegation of the Government of Sri Lanka, headed by the Sports Minister; the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOC); and senior representatives of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF), the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) and the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).

This meeting was initiated to resolve a long-standing issue arising from the sports law (in force since 1973) and specific government regulations applicable to the sports organisations in Sri Lanka (mainly the national sports federations and the NOC). All participants acknowledged the very positive approach and goodwill expressed by the Sports Minister to address this matter openly and to resolve a situation whose origin goes back to the 1970s. The meeting served essentially to find a common understanding and establish the necessary conditions to allow for the national sports organisations in Sri Lanka to comply with both the laws of the land and the basic principles (in particular that of autonomy) and requirements of the international sports organisations to which they are affiliated.
The meeting concluded successfully with the following agreement:

• The sports law (in force since 1973) will be revised within nine months, and the specific government regulations derived from the sports law will be reviewed within six months in order to make them compatible with the basic principles which govern the Olympic Movement. To that effect, and to ensure proper consultation with all concerned parties, a working group will be established immediately between the Sports Ministry and the NOC/national sports federations, also involving the IOC (representing the Olympic Movement as a whole).
  
• All national sports federations will have to liaise with their respective International Federations to review their constitutions/statutes in accordance with the International Federations’ standards and the principles of the Olympic Movement. This process must be completed within six months under the supervision of each International Federation concerned, which will also decide, on a case-by-case basis once this process is completed, whether new elections will be required in the respective national federations.
  
• The NOC Constitution will also be reviewed with the IOC in order to ensure full compliance with the Olympic Charter and the IOC’s requirements. Then, the revised draft Constitution will have to be submitted to the NOC General Assembly for adoption, and be approved formally by the IOC. The new NOC Constitution will serve as a basis to conduct the NOC elections. This process (including the revision of the NOC Constitution and the NOC elections) will also be completed within six months. Until the NOC elections take place, the current NOC’s office-bearers will remain in place.

The IOC and all its partners are very confident that this process will provide a great opportunity for all national sports organisations in Sri Lanka to review their governance and operate in accordance with both the rules of the Olympic Movement and the laws of the land. In addition, it is expected that this process will establish a solid basis for developing harmonious relations and fruitful cooperation between the Government authorities and the Olympic Movement in Sri Lanka, with full respect for the autonomy, jurisdiction and responsibilities of each entity.

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IOC meets with Government of Egypt and Egyptian Olympic Committee

KALYAN KUMAR MAHATA The true appellation of Apu.

26/11/2013

INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE

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The IOC held a productive meeting today in Lausanne involving senior representatives of the Egyptian Sports Ministry, the Egyptian Olympic Committee, the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF), the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) and the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA).

The main purpose of this meeting was to review the current situation of the Olympic Movement in Egypt vis-à-vis the sports legislation, and find a common understanding as to how the sports organisations belonging to the Olympic Movement in Egypt can be in a position to comply with both the basic principles of the Olympic Movement (including the principle of autonomy) and the law of the land.
The meeting was extremely positive and greatly contributed to reaching a mutual understanding and trust between the Government authorities and the Olympic Movement. The meeting concluded with the following points of agreement:

• The sports law currently in force in Egypt (since 1975) needs to be updated and revised to make it fully compatible with the basic standards of the Olympic Movement. As part of this revision process, the global situation of the sports clubs in Egypt will have to be reviewed and clarified. To this effect, the Sports Ministry has already launched a consultation phase involving the main constituents of the Olympic Movement in Egypt (including in particular the Egyptian Olympic Committee and the national sports federations). In view of the transition period which Egypt is experiencing, a reasonable timeframe was established as follows:
  
  o The new draft sports legislation should be completed within six months; and
  
  o The whole process, including the formal adoption of the new sports legislation by the competent authorities in the country, should be completed within one year from now.
  
• In the meantime, the Government will not interfere in any manner whatsoever with the internal operations of the national sports federations and the sports clubs, and the current sports regulations/”standard statutes” issued by the Sports Ministry will not be implemented. In particular, this will give  all national sports federations the possibility to establish their own statutes, get them adopted by their respective general assemblies and endorsed by the corresponding International Federations.
  
• During this process, it was agreed that a “tripartite commission”, consisting of the Egyptian Sports Ministry, the IOC (representing the Olympic Movement as a whole) and the Egyptian Olympic Committee (representing the Olympic Movement in Egypt), will be established to supervise the implementation of the process and to address any specific issue which might arise during this period.

A letter will be sent shortly to the Egyptian Government to ratify this agreement and establish the details of the process.
The IOC and all partners of the Olympic Movement are hopeful that this meeting will pave the way for a fruitful cooperation with the Government authorities in Egypt with full respect to the basic principles and rules which govern the Olympic Movement.  

KALYAN KUMAR MAHATA The true appellation of Apu.

IOC President meets Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta

©Simone Ferraro/GMT

22/11/2013

INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE

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On the first day of a two-day visit to Rome, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach today met Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta.

The pair discussed sports development in Italy, and the Italian Prime Minister expressed his strong support for a potential Olympic bid for 2024.

Accompanying the President for the meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office were IOC Member Mario Pescante, Italian National Olympic Committee President Giovanni Malagó and IOC Director General Christophe De Kepper.

Earlier, President Bach delivered a welcome address to the General Assembly of the European Olympic Committees (EOC), where he outlined his vision and ideas about the evolution of the IOC and his activities during his first two months as IOC President.

KALYAN KUMAR MAHATA The true appellation of Apu.

Pope Francis talks of sport's ability to build bridges at audience with Olympic Family in Rome

23/11/2013

INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE

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International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach presented Pope Francis with the Olympic Order in Gold today at the Vatican. 

The award was offered to the Pope and accepted in recognition of his understanding of the good that sport can do for young people and the desire to build peace.
In his address, Pope Francis took up President Bach's theme that  'sport is able to build bridges and break down walls.'
“I wish to encourage institutions such as yours, which promote sports – especially to the younger generations – as a way of training for peace, mutual sharing and harmonious coexistence of people,” Pope Francis said during the ceremony. “Sports tend to unite rather than divide!” 
The award ceremony was attended by members of the European Olympic Committees (EOC), including its President and IOC Executive Board member, Patrick Hickey, and presidents of the National Olympic Committees in Europe.
“Your love of sport and your understanding of how sport can be put at the service of society are well known. You have talked of the ‘social responsibility that sports men and women have, both on and off the field, to act as true role models,’” President Bach told Pope Francis during the ceremony.

“The Olympic Games, and the Athletes’ Village in particular, are a place where athletes from all 204 National Olympic Committees can stay together, start to understand each other, and make a contribution to peace building.  Indeed, they are a model for a community built on a spirit of mutual respect, peace and understanding.”
“You truly understand the joy in human spirit that sport can bring but just as much the deeper values that it can nurture.”

KALYAN KUMAR MAHATA The true appellation of Apu.

SOCHI 2014

French flagbearer Jason Lamy-Chappuis is hoping to write another golden Olympic chapter

22/11/2013

INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE

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On 7 February 2014, Jason Lamy-Chappuis will be the first French athlete to enter Sochi’s Olympic Stadium in Sochi, as the proud flagbearer of his nation’s delegation. A few days later he will switch his attentions to the RuSski Gorki Jumping Center to begin the defence of his Olympic Nordic combined title, the first of three golds that the Frenchman will be hoping to win at Sochi 2014.

“The Olympic Games were something I’d dreamed about since I was a kid,” reflects Jason Lamy-Chappuis. “I grew up with my head full of images. The dream came true for me in 2006 when I competed in Turin, and then again four years later in Vancouver when I achieved my ultimate ambition.”

He has vivid memories of the moment when at the age of 19 he first announced his arrival on the Olympic stage, causing a major surprise as he finished fourth in the sprint, missing out on the podium by a mere 15 seconds. “That was a great debut,” he recalls. “There were no regrets as I’d given my all, and I was then able to look forward to the next Games knowing that over the following four years I would have time to mature and get stronger, and that would take me closer to my ultimate goal.”
Sure enough, his improvement curve over subsequent FIS World Cup campaigns was palpable. Blessed with excellent jumping technique, the Frenchman improved his physical strength and was soon recording some impressive victories. Already with one hand on the 2009-2010 Nordic Combined Crystal Globe by the time he arrived at Vancouver 2010, his Olympic love affair was consummated on Valentine’s Day when he got the better of an intense sprint duel with the USA’s Johnny Spillane to claim individual gold on the normal hill.

On top of the world
After that he embarked on a winning streak that saw him win the overall title in the Nordic Combined World Cup three seasons running (2009-2010, 2010-2011 and 2011-2012).He also claimed the 2011 World Championship title on the iconic large hill at Holmenkollen, Oslo, and two years later at the 2013 Worlds in Val di Fiemme he bagged a remarkable hat-trick of gold medals (in the 10km normal hill, team normal hill and team sprint). “I felt I had to do justice to my Olympic title. I had to keep my place as world number one, and that needed all my concentration. That gave me a great deal of pleasure,” he beams.
Looking ahead to Sochi, he is clear about his objectives: “I want to defend my Olympic title and get a podium finish with the team. I don’t care which event it happens in, it could be the large hill or the normal hill - I’ll take either! But the competition is going to be ferocious.”

Lamy-Chapuis, who is based in Bois-d’Amont in the heart of France’s Jura mountain range, but was actually born in Montana (USA) to an American mother and a French father, has mapped out a precise campaign plan to ensure he hits peak form in Russia: “My goal is to keep improving my performances in each World Cup stage,” he explains. “Hopefully, I’ll achieve some good results, which will be a good confidence booster, but I also plan to pace myself so I don’t use up too much energy.”
But before his thoughts turn to the competition, he has his starring role in the Opening Ceremony to look forward to “It will be a magical experience carrying the flag,” he says. “I’m going to make sure I take in every last detail. It will be unforgettable. And I don’t need to worry about using up too much energy, as I don’t compete in my first event until five days later.”
Whatever happens at RuSski Gorki, Lamy-Chappuis is determined to enjoy Sochi 2014 to the max. “These are the moments you live for. As athletes, our careers are punctuated by joy and disappointment. That’s what makes sport so beautiful.”
Follow Jason Lamy-Chappuis on the Athletes' Hub.

KALYAN KUMAR MAHATA The true appellation of Apu.

IOC President has private audience with Pope Francis

22/11/2013

INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE

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International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach met Pope Francis today at the Vatican, where the two leaders discussed the importance of sport in society and its contribution to building a more peaceful and better world.

In a private audience, the Pope stressed the contribution that the Olympic movement can make to peace building and mutual understanding, and the values that sport can deliver.
President Bach emphasised sport's ability to build bridges and the example that the Olympic Games and especially the Athlete’s Village can give to the world in showing how different cultures can live together in harmony.
The Pope also congratulated President Bach on his election as President of the IOC – which took place in his home town of Buenos Aires in September.
President Bach will present Pope Francis with the Olympic Order in gold on Saturday during a ceremony at the Vatican City attended by members of the European Olympic Committees (EOC), who are holding their General Assembly in Rome from 22 to 23 November.
The President is also scheduled to meet Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta.
Earlier, the President delivered a welcome address to the EOC General Assembly, where he outlined his vision for the Olympic Movement and reported on his activities during his first two months as IOC President.

KALYAN KUMAR MAHATA The true appellation of Apu.

Nanjing 2014 News

The judo spirit comes to China

©Nanjing 2014

 

22/11/2013

INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE

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Ten days, 1,000 kilometres and 2,500 happy judokas later and the first stage of the “Judo Educational Journey Through China” drew to a successful close at the iconic Great Wall earlier this month.

Bringing the martial art to young people across the country, the tour, run by the International Judo Federation and the Chinese Judo Association, aimed to reach out to children and young people who are less familiar with the sport and introduce them to the values judo teaches by staging workshops in schools, universities, clubs, training centres and public spaces, hosted by Olympic and world champions.

Tong Wen, Olympic and World Champion and XU Lili, Silver Medallist in London

A 15-strong group from the Chinese Judo Association accompanied the tour, including decorated Olympic and world champions Tong Wen and Xian Dongmei, who were on hand to share their advice with the young athletes and teach them about the Olympic values.

Speaking about the project, Tong said: “The tour offered me the opportunity to discover a new dimension of my beloved sport. For many years, I have been focusing on top level, but now I can see that judo is more than a sport, it is an educational tool.”

The tour, supported by Olympic Solidarity and the Chinese National Olympic Committee, will visit new cities in 2014 before finishing in Nanjing ahead of the second Youth Olympic Games in August.

KALYAN KUMAR MAHATA The true appellation of Apu.

Women and sport

Kuwait action plan sets out a promising future for African and Asian women in sport

©OCA Media Department

 

21/11/2013

INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE

www.olympic.org

 

The first Afro-Asian Women and Sport Forum taking place in Kuwait and jointly organised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA), came to a close yesterday with a clear promise and active commitment to furthering the development of women’s role in the world of sport in the two continents.

Opening addresses from OCA President Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah and ANOCA President Lassana Palenfo set the tone for the three-day event as they outlined the achievements made and the challenges ahead for women in sport. The Forum, attended by representatives from all 98 African and Asian NOCs, as well as delegates from the United Nations agencies, NGOs, the IOC, ANOCA, the OCA, and Continental and National Federations, concluded with the drawing up of an action plan reaffirming the delegates’ determination to include women representatives in all committees, monitor and communicate women’s participation in the world of sport at all levels, and organise an Afro-Asian Women and Sport Forum every two years.
Read the full action plan here.
Sheikh Al-Sabah declared: “Africa and Asia may have started late in terms of women’s sport but our development has been the fastest in recent years. Africa and Asia have a total of 11 female IOC members, which is the highest percentage among the five continents. I’m also very proud that all of our 98 NOCs sent female delegates to participate in the London 2012 Olympic Games.”
ANOCA President Palenfo reminded participants that while progress has been made regarding women’s sports, still more needs to be done by the global sports community. He added: “Africa and Asia should work on measures to bolster ties within sport, and I wish this forum could be the perfect opportunity to address obstacles and develop women’s sports in both continents.”
The three-day event was an opportunity for over 130 women leaders and athletes from the two continents to discuss the gender-equality barriers they face in their countries and share their experiences to strengthen women’s networks in Africa and Asia.
Feedback from those attending the forum was positive. Samira Asghari, the 19-year-old Finance Director at the Afghanistan NOC and national team basketball player, said: “The IOC Women and Sport Forum for Africa and Asia is really bringing everyone together. I have learned a lot in the last two days. It offers such a great opportunity for us to not only share experiences together but also help and advise each other so that we can improve the situation for women and women’s sport in our NOC.”
IOC Executive Board member and Chair of the IOC Women and Sport Commission Anita DeFrantz also shared her delight with the positive outcome of the forum, describing it as “a wonderful gathering for all African and Asian NOCs.” She added: “I have been very impressed with the quality of the speakers’ presentations and the questions and feedback from the participants. I believe the outcomes from this forum will make a big change. Together with the IOC, the leadership of ANOC, the OCA and ANOCA, it will have a positive impact on women and sport.”
For further information on the Forum, check out the OCA website: www.ocasia.org
Learn more about the IOC Women and Sport Commission

KALYAN KUMAR MAHATA The true appellation of Apu.

YOG News

YOG on the Road to Sochi 2014 talks to Olympic Solidarity skier Dinos Lefkaritis

©GEPA pictures

21/11/2013

INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE

www.olympic org

He got his first taste of the Olympic stage at the Innsbruck 2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games, and now 17-year-old Cypriot Skier Dinos Lefkaritis has received an Olympic Solidarity scholarship to help him achieve his dream of competing at the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi in 2014.

How did you get started in skiing?I first skied at the age of six in the mountains of Troodos in Cyprus. I was immediately interested in the sport and every weekend or holiday we would drive up to the mountains. It started as a hobby but after a few years I participated in my first national race. The results of that race showed me that I had potential to develop into a good skier and be able to compete more.
What was it like to compete in the Winter Youth Olympic Games in Innsbruck?It was a unique experience that I will always remember. Everything was very well organised and I met many athletes and people. The organisers succeeded in passing the Olympic spirit on to us.
What are your targets for the future?To achieve good results in races and develop into the best I can be. It is a tough challenge but one of my goals is to continue my Olympic career in Sochi in 2014. It would require a lot of work, training and preparation, but to compete there would be the biggest moment in my skiing career. Away from skiing, a big part of my life is education and my target is to study at a top university.
How has your Olympic Solidarity Scholarship helped you?
It has given me the opportunity to train more, prepare better for this ski season, become more competitive and of course to keep motivated and focused to qualify for Sochi in 2014. The scholarship has been a great help for an athlete like me who has to travel a lot for training and races.
What is a typical training week like for you?
I train in the gym regularly; both aerobic and strength training are important for skiing. We have ski training every weekend during the ski season in Cyprus, plus some weekdays, depending on the conditions of the snow and my school obligations. I am also part of my local basketball team, with which I train three to four days a week. This helps a lot in my physical conditioning as well. Another sport I like is water skiing, which is also very good strength training.
Away from training, what do you like to do in your spare time?I listen to music, watch movies, see friends and play video games. I am a very outgoing person so I like going out and enjoy meeting up with my friends.
Who are your sporting heroes and why?
I have always admired Michael Jordan, who I believe is one of the top sportsmen ever. A skier I have always admired is Bode Miller (Olympic champion Alpine ski-racer, USA) because he proved that anything is possible and everything is achievable. Athletes that I also respect are Andre Myhrer (Alpine ski-racer, Sweden), Mario Matt (three-time world champion Alpine ski-racer, Austria) and Ted Ligety (Olympic champion Alpine ski-racer, USA).

KALYAN KUMAR MAHATA The true appellation of Apu.

IOC appoints two new directors

21/11/2013
INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE
www.olympic.org
 

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) today announced that it has appointed Ms Lindsay Glassco as International Cooperation and Development Director and Mrs Lana Haddad as Chief Finance Officer.  

Ms Glassco currently holds the position of President and CEO of Special Olympics Canada, overseeing all Canadian operations for the organisation, which provides daily sports programmes and competition opportunities to people with intellectual disabilities.
Prior to joining Special Olympics, Ms Glassco was Global Director of Policy and Strategy with Right to Play (RTP), an international NGO whose mission is to use sport and play to educate and empower children and youth to overcome the effects of poverty, conflict and disease in disadvantaged communities. In her five years with the organisation, Ms Glassco shepherded a four-year policy initiative - the Sport for Development and Peace International Working Group – advocating the use of sport for social change.
Before her tenure at RTP, Ms Glassco spent close to a decade working for the Canadian federal government, including Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, developing policies and programmes in the areas of disability, global health, and Canada’s labour market.
Prior to that, Ms Glassco, based in Geneva and Rome, was an international social development consultant for UN organisations such as the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), UN Volunteers and UN Development Programme.
A Canadian national, Mrs Glassco will take over from Tomas Sithole, who retires at the end of the year. She will take up her post on 20 January 2014.
The IOC’s new Chief Finance Officer, Dr Lana Haddad, joins from Procter & Gamble International, where she is currently Associate Director, Finance Analysis and Capability Building for Europe, Middle East and Africa.
In her 19 years with P&G, Dr Haddad held key global and regional financial leadership positions including the UK, USA, Germany and Switzerland, working as a business partner and advisor to finance and leadership teams. She has a proven track record in business unit management, developing organisation and building diversity.
Dr Haddad is a Global Finance Executive and a fully qualified Chartered Management Accountant who brings a wealth of expertise in financial control and reporting, financial planning, audit, compliance, treasury and cash management.
Earlier in her career, Dr Haddad held several senior positions of Process Engineer and Research and Development Manager with British Gas, developing strong skills in supply chain, project management, purchasing, logistics, manufacturing and people management. Her wide ranging international finance experience and proven management skills will be a great asset to the IOC.
A national from Iraq and the UK, Dr Haddad will begin her work at the IOC in early March 2014.
With the appointment last week of Mr Kit McConnell as Sports Director, the latest appointments complete the IOC recruitment process for directors, and are an indication of the IOC’s commitment to bring on board individuals from different backgrounds and cultures, adding to the diversity of the organisation.

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KALYAN KUMAR MAHATA The true appellation of Apu.

IOC President wraps up Asia tour with visit to Republic of Korea President Park

©Getty Images

21/11/2013

INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE

www.olympic.org

 

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach completed his Asian tour today, meeting with Republic of Korea President Park Geun-Hye.

Meeting at the presidential residence, the Blue House, President Bach thanked the Korean President for her strong support for the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang. 
President Park underlined her government’s continued backing of the Games, and emphasised the importance of sport in society and its educational role in Korean society. The Korean President added that she was strongly supportive of the IOC's fight against doping and zero-tolerance policy on drugs. She also expressed interest in learning more about the IOC Athlete Career Programme, which helps athletes develop dual careers and hone skills for working life after competition. 
Earlier, President Bach attended a lunch hosted by Korean Olympic Committee President Kim Jung-Haeng and met a dozen Korean athletes and Olympic medallists. This followed a meeting with staff at the PyeongChang 2018 offices in Seoul. 
Accompanied by IOC Coordination Commission Chairwoman Gunilla Lindberg and Korean IOC member Moon Dae-Sung, President Bach heard progress reports from the PyeongChang Organising Committee (POCOG) President and CEO, Kim Jin-Sun.  
President Bach later addressed the POCOG staff, telling them that with the handover of the Olympic flag at the Sochi Olympic Winter Games in February, the spotlight would soon be on them as the next hosts of the Games. He added that each of them would play an important role in welcoming the world. 
Seoul was the final stop for President Bach during a four-city Asian tour. On Monday, he visited Nanjing, host of the 2nd Summer Youth Olympic Games in 2014, before travelling to Beijing on Tuesday. On Wednesday he was in Tokyo for talks with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and a meeting with the Japanese Olympic Committee, following their successful bid for the 2020 Summer Games in the Japanese capital.

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KALYAN KUMAR MAHATA The true appellation of Apu.

SOCHI 2014

Sochi 2014 ski and snowboard cross course revealed

©Sochi 2014

21/11/2013

INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE

www.olympic.org

The International Ski Federation (FIS) has unveiled the designs for the ski and snowboard cross course that will be used during the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games.

The 1,250-metre long course, which is located in the Rosa Khutor Extreme Park, will feature eight turn sections, punctuated by a series of jumps and roller sections, with a vertical drop of 210m. Both skiers and snowboarders will share the same start and finish areas, with around 80 per cent of the cross course sections to be shared as well. There will be one area where the course will split into separate ski and snowboard sections to specifically target each discipline's skills.
The course, which was designed and refined over the last four years, successfully hosted the FIS Freestyle World Cup in February 2013, followed by the FIS Snowboard World Cup in March, and received overwhelmingly positive feedback from the athletes who competed.
To ensure an exciting challenge for both skiers and snowboarders, the course was created in cooperation between experts from both disciplines, with FIS Technical Advisors David Ny and Nicolas Vaudroz working with FIS cross specialist and Olympian Martin Fiala to create an exceptionally dynamic Olympic cross venue.
“The Olympic programme always provides some extra special characteristics from our World Cups and World Championships courses,” said Fiala, who competed for Germany in ski cross at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games. “The cross course in Rosa Khutor challenges all skills from both snowboarding and skiing. I would like to thank all involved from the Rosa Khutor ski area, National Ski Association(s), from the Organising Committee and also to the course designers and the course builders for their hard pre-work on the road to the competitions and wish all the teams and athletes a safe, successful and exciting Olympic Games in Sochi 2014 for what could become a true highlight of the programme.”
The Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games begin on 7 February 2014, with the snowboard cross events due to start on 16 February and the ski cross events beginning on 20 February.
Information on tickets for Sochi 2014 is available here.

2013 Nobel Week in Stockholm - Assistance to Media - The Nobel Foundation

2013 Nobel Week in Stockholm - Assistance to Media - The Nobel Foundation

KALYAN KUMAR MAHATAThe true appellation of Apu.

KALYAN KUMAR MAHATA The true appellation of Apu.

IOC President pays first visit to 2020 Olympic Games host Tokyo - meets Japanese Prime Minister Abe

©Kishimoto
 

20/11/2013
INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE
www.olympic.org

Making his first official visit to Tokyo since his election as head of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in September, President Thomas Bach today met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

The pair discussed the structure of the local Organising Committee for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, which should be formed within the coming months, and the Japanese Prime Minister also raised the composition of the Olympic programme and the possibility of including baseball in future editions of the Olympic Games.
For his part, President Bach invited the Prime Minister to attend the next Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, which begin in just over two months.
Accompanying the President for the meeting at the Japanese Diet were IOC Coordination Commission Chairman for Tokyo 2020 John Coates and Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) President Tsunekazu Takeda, who led the successful Tokyo bid. 
The Japanese Prime Minister was accompanied by the Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Hakubun Shimomura, who is also responsible for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games for the national government. They were joined by seven-time Olympian Seiko Hashimoto, who is also a parliamentarian.
The IOC President later attended a meeting of Japanese business leaders eager to discover the potential opportunities of the 2020 Games. 
Earlier, President Bach had met Tokyo Governor Naoki Inose.
The visit came just a week after a two-day Orientation Seminar delivered by the IOC to help the Japanese organisers successfully negotiate the crucial transition phase from bid city to organiser and get a quick start to preparations in the lead-up to the Games.
It was the third stop for President Bach during a four-city Asian tour. On Monday he visited Nanjing, host of the 2nd Summer Youth Olympic Games in 2014, before travelling to Beijing on Tuesday. The President will conclude his tour in Seoul on Thursday with meetings with organisers of the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games.

KALYAN KUMAR MAHATA The true appellation of Apu.

Nanjing 2014 News

IOC President makes first official visit to Nanjing ahead of the Youth Olympic Games in 2014

©NYOGOC - IOC President Thomas Bach meets with young staff at the headquarters of the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games.

18/11/2013

Newly elected IOC President Thomas Bach made his first official visit to Nanjing, China, to check on the progress made by the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (NYOGOC) and to offer encouragement  as it enters the final few months of preparations.

After meeting Luo Zhijun, Secretary of CPC Jiangsu Provincial Committee, Li Xueyong, Governor of Jiangsu Province and Yang Shu’an, Vice Minister of the General Administration of Sport in China, the president visited the organising committee’s headquarters, where he was introduced to young staff members who conducted a tour of the facility and surrounding riverside park with him.

Joined by an IOC delegation including Coordination Commission Chairman Alexander Popov, the President was given a full progress report by Yang Weize, NYOGOC Executive President who outlined the final preparations and milestones to complete over the next eight months as the Organising Committee enters its games-time readiness phase.

The IOC President was also offered a venue tour of the Nanjing Olympic Sports Centre, venue of the Opening Ceremony, and the newly constructed Youth Olympic Village where he was given an overview of the athletes’ rooms, the environmentally friendly construction elements and legacy aspects of the village.

President Bach said, ‘Nanjing is a vibrant city and will be play a fantastic host next summer to the 3,800 athletes from around the world. The Organising Committee has a passionate young team dedicated to deliver a spectacular Youth Olympic Games in 2014.’

On visiting the Youth Olympic Village the President reminisced that the Village 'brought back memories' of his time as an athlete.
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 ©NYOGOC - IOC President Thomas Bach tours Nanjing 2014’s Youth Olympic Village during his official visit to the city.

KALYAN KUMAR MAHATA The true appellation of Apu.

Olympic Torch Relay set to continue journey by train

©Sochi 2014

 

18/11/2013

INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE

www.olympic.org

 

The Sochi 2014 Olympic Torch Relay has completed the air travel segment of its journey across Russia and will now continue its way around the country by train, as the 123-day relay enters its seventh week.

Between now and the Opening Ceremony of the 2014 Olympic Winter Games on 7 February 2014, the Olympic flame will travel a record 17,400 kilometres by rail in a specially designed train, decorated in the official orange patchwork quilt brand of the Sochi 2014 Olympic Torch Relay.
On its journey it will cross the borders of 53 Russian regions and will be carried by approximately 10,000 Torchbearers in 76 cities of the Far Eastern, Siberian, Volga, Southern and North Caucasian Federal Districts.
"Today, the longest segment of our record-breaking Olympic Torch Relay begins,” said Sochi 2014 President Dmitry Chernyshenko. “The flame will travel from the far east of Russia to the Olympic host city, passing through the territories of 53 Russian regions. The route is formed in such a way that the principal symbol of the Games can be seen not only by the inhabitants of large cities, but also those in the most remote settlements. Bringing a piece of the Olympic celebration to every home is the main objective of the national Torch Relay."
After beginning in Moscow on 7 October, the Olympic Torch Relay covered 9,534km during its first 22 days, travelling by road between 37 cities in the Central and North-Western Federal District of Russia before reaching Saint Petersburg. Once there, the air segment of the relay began, with the Olympic flame being carried along the streets of 20 cities in the Northwest, Ural, Siberian and Far Eastern Federal Districts of Russia, while covering the huge distances between each city in a Sochi 2014-branded plane.
So far, more than 4,000 Torchbearers have carried the flame, which has illuminated many iconic Russian landmarks, including Rurikovo Gorodishche, Yasnaya Polyana estate, Kizhi State Open-Air Museum, historic suburbs of St. Petersburg, and churches and temples of the Golden Ring of Russia. The Olympic flame has also visited the largest diamond mine in the world and the top of the Avacha volcano.
Find out more about the Sochi 2014 Olympic Torch Relay Presenting Partners at http://torchrelay.sochi2014.com/en/Partners
More information on the Sochi 2014 Olympic Torch Relay can be found at http://torchrelay.sochi2014.com/en/

KALYAN KUMAR MAHATA The true appellation of Apu.

IOC President meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping

©Xinhua/Ding Lin

 

19/11/2013

INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE

www.olympic.org

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach has met with the President of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping, in Beijing.

Meeting at the Great Hall of the People, the two presidents discussed a range of issues, including sport's positive role in society, the upcoming Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, and Beijing’s bid for the 2022 Olympic Winter Games.
President Xi also talked of the recently concluded meeting of the Central Committee Plenum where sport was integrated into the strategic plan agreed for the future development of China. President Bach congratulated him on his plans for 'putting sport at the service of society.'
President Bach was accompanied by IOC Vice-President John Coates, IOC Member and Coordination Commission Chairman for the Nanjing 2014 Summer Youth Olympic Games Alexander Popov, and the President of the Chinese Olympic Committee, Liu Peng. The three Chinese members of the IOC: Yu Zaiqing, Yang Yang, and Li Lingwei were also present.
Beijing is one of six cities vying to host the 2022 Olympic Winter Games, having submitted its application to the IOC by the 14 November deadline along with Almaty (Kazakhstan), Krakow (Poland), Lviv (Ukraine), Oslo (Norway), and Stockholm (Sweden).*
On Monday, President Bach inspected some of the venues to be used at the 2nd Summer Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing next year. On Wednesday he will visit Tokyo, home of the 2020 Olympic Games, before flying to Seoul on Thursday to meet with organisers of the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games.
* The cities will be listed in alphabetical order until such time as the official drawing of lots is carried out by the IOC EB in December 2013. The order of drawing of lots will then be used until the election of the 2022 host city.

KALYAN KUMAR MAHATA The true appellation of Apu.

 INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE
PRESS RELEASE
Friday 15 November 2013
www.olympic.org

IOC prepares Tokyo for life as Games organiser with first visit to 2020 Host City

©Photo Kishimoto

15/11/2013

A delegation from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) today concluded a successful Orientation Seminar (14-15 November) with representatives of Tokyo 2020, including the Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Hakubun Shimomura, who is also responsible for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games for the National Government; Tokyo Governor Naoki Inose; and Japanese Olympic Committee President and IOC member Tsunekazu Takeda.

The two-day meeting, which comes a week ahead of IOC President Bach’s and Coordination Commission Chairman John Coates’ first visits to Tokyo, and two months after their election as host of the 2020 Olympic Games, will help the Japanese organisers to successfully negotiate the crucial transition phase, as well as allowing them to get a flying start, as they prepare to deliver the Games over the next seven years.

Led by the IOC’s Executive Director for the Olympic Games, Gilbert Felli, the delegation, which was joined by International Paralympic Committee (IPC) CEO Xavier Gonzalez, shared with the local organisers and their partners advice on managing the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games; the key milestones that occur during the lifecycle of an Organising Committee; and the key factors to be looked at during the transition period. In addition, they laid out the framework of partnership that will guide preparations for the next seven years, and outlined some best practices from previous Games.

Speaking after the seminar, Felli said: “We are excited to be here, so soon after Tokyo was awarded the right to host the 2020 Games, and to see the early progress made by the local organisers. Organising the Olympic Games is a complex undertaking, which requires great teamwork and a strong partnership from those involved, so we were pleased with the high level of commitment from all the seminar’s participants. This orientation seminar has enabled us to lay the foundation for the future and to build upon the transfer of knowledge that Tokyo has already benefited from during the bid process.”

As an indication of the strong cooperation in place between the many stakeholders in Japan and of the country’s commitment to the Games, the participants at the seminar included all levels of government, and business and sports leaders. There was also an update on a number of steps already taken by the Tokyo organisers, which include appointing the Minister in charge of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games; establishing an office for the promotion of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games; and creating a number of committees and groups at different levels of Government to support Games preparations and implementation. The next stage for the organisers will be to finalise the formation of the Organising Committee.

Takeda, Tokyo’s Bid Committee Chairman who led the Tokyo 2020 delegation at the seminar, said: “The seminar covered a wide range of topics and was immensely helpful in enabling us to deepen our understanding of exactly what role will be expected of the Organising Committee and the specific tasks it will be required to undertake.

“The seminar was attended by some 200 participants and, judging by the questions raised during the seminar and the initial feedback I have already received, I am sure that we all learned a great deal about the complexities and challenges of organising an event as enormous and prestigious as the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Mr Gilbert Felli and his fellow members of the IOC delegation for their meticulous planning of the seminar, and for pointing out the various potential pitfalls. Our discussions with the IOC team were extremely productive, and we are looking forward with renewed motivation, determination and enthusiasm to working closely with the IOC and all concerned members of the Olympic family, to ensure that Tokyo delivers Games that will take their place in the long and distinguished history of the Olympic Movement.”

Despite bidding farewell to the IOC delegation, Tokyo 2020 is already preparing for another IOC visit: that of IOC President Bach and the Chairman of the IOC Coordination Commission for the Tokyo 2020 Games, John Coates, on Wednesday 20 November 2013. It will be President Bach’s first official visit to the Japanese capital, where he is expected to convene with representatives of Tokyo 2020 and the local government.

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NOTES TO EDITORS:
The IOC’s transfer of knowledge programme plays a key part in allowing Organising Committees to build top-quality Games on the basis of past experience. As part of this programme, the IOC runs an orientation seminar shortly after the election of each host city. The aim of the seminar is to help the newly elected city make the transition from bidding for the Games to being a Games organiser. It explains in detail the preparation phases and the operations that will need to be finalised over the next seven years, while building upon the transfer of knowledge that the cities receive from the IOC during the bid stages. The seminar also helps the organisers to decide where they should focus their efforts during the start-up phase, and is an opportunity for the IOC to share its Games management philosophy with them. This enables everyone to understand what is expected of them and ensures that the collaboration is as efficient as possible right from the outset.

In addition to the orientation seminar, the IOC’s Olympic Games Knowledge Management programme consists of a knowledge base, accessible via an extranet, comprising key reports, plans and information on every area of Olympic Games management; observers’ and secondees’ programmes during the Games; a debrief following each edition of the Games; and access to specially tailored courses for Organising Committees with the participation of Games experts.

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Rising interest in Olympic Winter Games as six cities bid to host 2022 Games

KALYAN KUMAR MAHATA The true appellation of Apu.
                                       

INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE
PRESS RELEASE
Friday 15 November 2013
www.olympic.org

There has been a significant increase in the number of cities bidding to host the Olympic Winter Games – with twice as many joining the contest for 2022 compared to four years earlier.

Six cities have bid this time, all meeting the application deadline of midnight on 14 November. Listed in alphabetical order, the cities are: Almaty (Kazakhstan), Beijing (China), Krakow (Poland), Lviv (Ukraine), Oslo (Norway), and Stockholm (Sweden).

The strength of the field, which includes a strong mix of both traditional and developing winter sports markets, highlights the keen interest cities around the world have in the Games and the lasting benefits and legacy they can bring to a region.

“I am delighted that six cities are bidding to host the 2022 Olympic Winter Games,” said International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach. “These cities and their supporters clearly understand the benefits that hosting the Games can have and the long lasting legacy that a Games can bring to a region. Indeed, while recent Games have left an array of sporting, social, economic and other legacies for the local population, many cities that did not go on to win the right to host the Games have also noted benefits as a result of their bids.”

As part of the assistance the IOC offers bid cities, the six Applicant Cities will be invited to attend a seminar in Lausanne from 4 to 6 December 2013 and to participate in an Observer Programme tailored to their needs during the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games.   

National Olympic Committees had until midnight on 14 November 2013 to submit an application to the IOC that complied with prerequisite criteria (declarations concerning the World Anti-Doping Agency and the Court of Arbitration for Sport) established by the IOC Executive Board in 2010. Having fulfilled these requirements, the six Applicant Cities now enter Phase 1 of a two-step technical analysis that culminates in the election of the 2022 host city by the IOC Session in Kuala Lumpur on 31 July 2015. 

At the end of Phase 1, and following a first assessment by an expert IOC Working Group, the IOC Executive Board will select the cities that will move forward to Phase 2 of the process as Candidate Cities.

Following the submission of their Candidature File – an in-depth blueprint of their Olympic project – an Evaluation Commission appointed by the IOC will visit each Candidate City to prepare a technical risk assessment to assist IOC members in electing the host city. This report will be made available to IOC members prior to a two-day briefing that provides the members with the opportunity to question the cities directly about their Olympic projects.    

In line with the IOC’s commitment to transparency, all documents pertaining to the 2022 bid process are available to the public on www.olympic.org. 

A summary of the key 2022 timelines can be found below:
Phase 1:

• Deadline for NOCs to submit an Applicant City – 14 November 2013
• Applicant City Seminar – Lausanne – 4-6 December 2013
• Sochi Olympic Winter Games Observer Programme – 7-23 February 2014
• Submission of the Application File - 14 March 2014
• Selection of Candidate Cities by the IOC - Executive Board – 8-9 July 2014

Phase 2:

• Submission of the Candidature File & Guarantees – January 2015
• IOC Evaluation Commission visits – February – March 2015
• Evaluation Commission report / Candidate City Briefing for IOC Members – May - June 2015
• Election of the 2022 Host City by the IOC Session - Kuala Lumpur – 31 July 2015

* The cities will be listed in alphabetical order until such time as the official drawing of lots is carried out by the IOC EB in December 2013. The order of drawing of lots will then be used until the election of the 2022 host city.

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IOC President calls for smarter, more targeted testing and better research at WADA Conference in Johannesburg

KALYAN KUMAR MAHATA The true appellation of Apu.

©WADA

13/11/2013

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach today called for the common fight against doping to be stepped up and strengthened to protect the “majority of athletes who are clean”.

Speaking at the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)’s 2013 World Conference on Doping in Sport in Johannesburg, South Africa, the President told delegates that the ultimate goal was the protection of clean athletes:

“What we need is the greatest possible deterrence. All of us gathered here in Johannesburg are united in our zero-tolerance attitude to doping. The IOC will continue to pursue this fight with great determination and clear measures.”

President Bach called for even greater cooperation with all partners, including government authorities and anti-doping organisations, at national and regional levels.

“We need a better exchange of information between state authorities, the sports movement and the national anti-doping organisations,” he said. “We expect governments to create better conditions for cooperation with sport, especially in terms of exchange of information.”

And he called for state authorities to do more to severely punish those behind doping, including the dealers, agents, coaches, doctors and scientists involved.

Backing a change in the WADA Code that would see the sanction for serious violations changed from two to four years, the President said that an improved Code was not enough in itself.

“Even a much-improved Code is not enough by itself”, he said. “As in sport, what counts is the result on the field. We need even more sophisticated targeted tests, more individual profiling and more scientific research.”

And he urged further research in the hunt for new ways to catch the cheats:

“We should be focusing on anti-doping research. And also in this area, we should be open to new ways of thinking. Is it not time to find out, for example, whether blood and urine tests are really the best and ultimate solution? Might there be other testing methods, which are even more reliable, more sustainable, more effective, and maybe even less intrusive?” he asked the Conference.

The President also promised that the testing programme for Sochi 2014 would be the most stringent in the history of the Olympic Winter Games, and would feature targeted testing both before and during the competition period, using information from sport and anti-doping agencies worldwide.

“With a record number of samples and pre-competition tests, we shall be smarter and tougher in our fight against doping than at any previous Olympic Winter Games. We shall perform these tests anywhere in the world – as a more effective, more flexible, better deterrent. We shall improve our anti-doping system with regard to both quality and quantity,” he said.

“In order to achieve this, the IOC has increased the number of pre-competition tests from 804 for Vancouver to 1,269 for Sochi. That is an increase of 57 per cent. In all, we will perform 2,453 tests, compared with 2,149 in Vancouver. That is an increase of 14 per cent – with a special focus on team sports,” he added.

Read the President’s full speech here.

Taking place from 12 to 15 November, the 2013 World Conference on Doping in Sport is the fourth of its kind, with the leading stakeholders in the worldwide anti-doping community in attendance. The WADA Foundation Board is scheduled to vote on changes to the WADA Code on 15 November. The Board will also elect a new President to replace John Fahey, whose term of office concludes at the end of 2013. President Bach reaffirmed the IOC’s commitment to “broadening and strengthening” its “intensive cooperation” with the new leadership.

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IOC Athlete Career Programme scores a victory with outreach sessions

KALYAN KUMAR MAHATA The true appellation of Apu.

IOC

INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE
TUESDAY, 12 NOVEMBER 2013
PRESS RELEASE
www.olympic.org
                                            

Calling the outreach sessions offered by the IOC Athlete Career Programme (ACP) this week in Africa a resounding success, IOC Athletes’ Commission Chair Claudia Bokel today said plans are already underway to expand the programme to reach even more athletes in countries that do not currently have ACPs.

“The workshops were well-attended by a very enthusiastic group of athletes in each city,” said Bokel, a silver medallist in fencing at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games and Chair of the IOC ACP Steering Committee. “I think all of us – the instructors, trainees and athletes – learned a great deal during the sessions, and we can now use the feedback to improve the programme going forward. It was an excellent start and bodes well for the future of the outreach sessions.”

Learn to earn  The sessions, held between 2 and 9 November in six southern African countries*, were designed to provide athletes there with a range of job skills that can be applied during and after their sports careers. This included instruction on how to identify their passions and tips on how to pursue them after their sports careers; recognising the many transferrable skills they gain during their sports careers; advice on how to build support networks; and training on such things as CV creation and job-interview techniques.

The ACP delegation also included four-time Olympic silver medallist Frank Fredericks and Adecco Group Senior Vice President for the IOC ACP, Patrick Glennon. Adecco Group, one of the world’s leading providers of human resources solutions, is co-partner of the ACP.

IOC Athletes’ Commission members Kirsty Coventry and Amadou Dia Ba and former Olympians Sandrine Thiebauld and Kadidiatou Kanouté attended the session as trainees, with the aim of learning how to conduct their own workshops in the future. This new ‘train the trainers’ method will allow the IOC ACP Outreach Programme to expand in frequency and geographic coverage.

Striking a balance   “Each time an elite athlete steps onto the field of play they are prepared to deliver their best as a result of their dedication and preparation,” said Fredericks. “At the same time, we recognise that elite athletes will retire from sport at an early age and most will need to engage in a career after sport. To achieve success after sport requires the same preparation and commitment. Education is a key area that athletes must focus on at some level while competing. Pursuing an education while competing can add balance to an athlete’s life and with a personal balance can prepare an athlete for life after sport while enhancing their life during elite competition.”

Turnout to the sessions was excellent, with over 80 participants taking part in the workshop in Botswana, 60 in Namibia, and 50 each in Lesotho and Swaziland. The sessions were assisted by members of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) Athletes’ Commission, and country managers from the Adecco Group. Adecco worked with the IOC to establish the ACP in 2005 and since then the programme has provided career development and job placement services to more than 10,000 Olympic athletes from over 100 countries. The programme is based on providing athletes with three key tools: education, life skills and employment.

If you are interested in learning more about these programmes or wish to get involved, please contact us at: athletes@olympic.org

*Mazenod, Lesotho; Windhoek, Namibia; Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa; Manzini, Swaziland; Gabarone, Botswana; and Lusaka, Zambia. The workshop in Lusaka took place in the Olympic Youth Development Centre, which opened in 2010.