IOC President Bach and Ukrainian President Poroshenko agree on uniting role of sport

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©IOC/Christophe Moratal (2)

21/04/2015

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach today welcomed Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko to the Olympic Museum in Lausanne. The Ukrainian President was accompanied by the Minister of Foreign affairs, and 1st Vice Prime Minister, where the pair discussed sport as a means to promote education, health, development peace and reconciliation.

The meeting was also attended by Sergey Bubka, President of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine (EB Member), and Valeriy Borzov, IOC Member in Ukraine.
Athletes’ welfare was at the heart of their meeting as they discussed an IOC initiative that has helped Ukrainian athletes in areas affected by civil strife. The IOC established an emergency fund of USD 300,000 last year to be used for the benefit of the Ukrainian athletes, through the NOC of Ukraine, for training and competition purposes. The Ukrainian President praised the initiative, which has seen the relocation of 30 athletes currently being supported by this programme to more peaceful areas of the country to carry on their training. 
President Bach reiterated that the role of sport was to bring people together. The IOC President added that the United Nations (UN)’s resolution on the autonomy of sports explicitly encourages full participation at sporting events, and the conciliative nature of sport. He noted that boycotts are incompatible with this UN request for respect of the values of sport. The Ukrainian President said he was “against sports boycotts.” and also emphasized that “Ukraine is welcoming athletes from all countries”.
The two leaders also discussed the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which are being finalized by the United Nations this year, and the IOC President reiterated the need to include sport in the final declaration.
The Ukrainian President described the reform process he was implementing in Ukraine, adding that sport is playing a key role in education, health and social policy. He said it was vital to use the “values of sport in this respect”. The IOC president offered the assistance of the IOC with regards to these programmes.
President Poroshenko invited President Bach to visit Ukraine. The IOC President accepted the invitation.

IOC Executive Board Meeting and 128th IOC Session in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Information for the media

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22/04/2015

1) GENERAL INFORMATION
The 128th IOC Session will be held from 31 July to 3 August in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It will be preceded by a meeting of the IOC Executive Board (EB) from 28 to 30 July. 
The 128th IOC Session will take decisions on key policy issues and in areas under its authority, including the elections of the host city for the 2022 Olympic Winter Games and for the 2020 Youth Olympic Winter Games, on Friday 31 July.  
The two Candidate Cities bidding for the 2022 Olympic Winter Games are Almaty (Kazakhstan) and Beijing (China) – listed in the order of drawing of lots.  
The two Candidate Cities bidding for the 2020 Youth Olympic Winter Games are Brasov (Romania) and Lausanne (Switzerland) – listed in alphabetical order.
The meetings of the Executive Board and the Session, the presentations of the Candidate Cities, the vote to elect the host cities, the announcement ceremony of the host cities, and the signature of the Host City Contracts will all take place at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
Click here for the map of the venue and its surroundings.

2) ACCREDITATION
Media representatives wishing to cover the IOC meetings are required to complete the accreditation application on the IOC website by 3 July 2015. Any questions regarding the application procedure should be referred to the IOC Media Relations team at pressoffice@olympic.org. 
To submit your request for accreditation, please click here.
Media accreditation cards will be distributed at the Media Accreditation Desk, which will be located outside the entrance to the Main Media Centre inside the main corridor of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. Cards will be distributed only upon presentation of a valid passport or ID and press cards/proof of media affiliation. The Accreditation Office will be open daily from 25 July to 3 August.
Media Accreditation Desk opening hours:
Saturday 25 July                      10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday 26 July                        10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Monday 27 July                        10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Tuesday 28 July                        8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Wednesday 29 July                   8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Thursday 30 July                      10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Friday 31 July                           7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday 1 August                    8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday 2 August                      8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Monday 3 August                      8 a.m. – 5 p.m. 

3) VISAS AND IMMIGRATION
International media from the countries which normally require a visa to enter Malaysia will have to apply for a visa. The IOC will provide an invitation letter in order to assist with applications.  Please click here for a list of which countries require a visa to enter Malaysia.
Media from certain countries will also have to obtain a Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate before being allowed entry to Malaysia. The period of validity of the International Certificate of Vaccination against Yellow Fever is 10 years, starting 10 days after the date of vaccination. Media personnel must carry their International Certificate of Vaccination at Entry Point on arrival to Kuala Lumpur International Airport1 (KLIA1) and Kuala Lumpur International Airport2 (KLIA2) in Malaysia. All media personnel coming from countries with risk of Yellow Fever will be screened by the Health Department of Malaysia at KLIA1 or KLIA2. Please click here for a list of the countries that require the International Certificate of Vaccination against Yellow Fever.
To request a Visa Invitation Letter from The IOC, please send your email before 3 July 2015 to: pressoffice@olympic.org clearly stating “Visa Invitation Letter Request KL” in the title of the email.

4) ACCOMMODATION
There are a range of hotels situated in the vicinity of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre which may be booked by media, including the Impiana KLCC Hotel and the Royale Chulan Hotel, which are the designated media hotels. Rooms have been secured at a preferred rate for media at both hotels. Click to see the link to each of the preferred hotels and their booking pages.  
Please note that media should book and pay for rooms directly via the hotel.  Each room rate is displayed in Malaysian Ringgit and includes breakfast and internet access. Please note that there is strict cancellation policy for the hotels that must be adhered to. Media should inform both hotels when booking of their status as “accredited media for the 128th IOC Session 2015” in order to qualify for the special media rates.

5) TRANSPORT
Free airport transfers will be available for accredited media from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to the designated media hotels and back to the airport on their return. Only media duly accredited for the 128th IOC Session in Kuala Lumpur are entitled to use this service.
Accredited media should proceed to the 128th IOC Session Transportation Desk in the Kuala Lumpur International Airport Arrivals Hall in order to check the mode of airport transport available. Media will either be given a free one-way voucher to use on the KLIA Express Train or a bus will be available if a large group has arrived at the same time. The train goes from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to KL Central Station in the city centre. From KL Central Station there will be a shuttle bus to the two designated media hotels. There will be no complementary transportation to any other hotels. If there is a large group of media arriving at one time, then a special bus service will be operational directly from KLIA to the designated media hotels. 
For the return journey, vouchers will be available at the Impiana KLCC Hotel and the Royale Chulan Hotel. 
There will be volunteers present at KLIA from 24 July to 4 August to assist with any problems on arrival and departure at the airport.
There will be no media shuttle buses from the designated two media hotels to the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre as both hotels are a short walking distance away. For media who wish to travel further, there are also taxi rank facilities adjacent to the venue.
Media who choose to stay at other hotels will be required to arrange their own transport. 

6) SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Please click here for the complete schedule of events for the EB and 128th IOC Session.

7) MEDIA FACILITIES AT THE KUALA LUMPUR CONVENTION CENTRE 
Main Media Centre (MMC)The Main Media Centre consists of the Main Press Centre (MPC) and the International Broadcast Centre (IBC) which are adjacent to each other on the ground floor of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. The MPC will consist of 450 workstations fitted with power, cabled and wifi internet which will be provided free of charge. Workplaces will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. Only accredited media will have access to these facilities.
Media will be able to follow the 128th IOC Session live on closed circuit TV on large screens and TV sets within the MMC. Headsets will be available with translation.
Media catering will be available from a media café adjacent to the MMC, with hot meals available to purchase at the Kuala Lumpur Food Hall on the lower ground floor of the venue. Many other restaurants and cafés are within walking distance of the venue.
There will be a Media Welcome Desk within the MPC for all media enquiries. The Media Welcome Desk will include the following:

• General assistance and technical support for electricity, internet connections and telecommunications
• Rate Card Service Desk (not for Rate Card Part B)
• Advice on filming within Kuala Lumpur

The MMC will be operational during the following hours:  
MMC OPERATING HOURS:Saturday 25 July                     10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday 26 July                       10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Monday 27 July                       10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Tuesday 28 July                        8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Wednesday 29 July                   8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Thursday 30 July                       from 10 a.m. – 24 hours
Friday 31 July                           Open 24 hours
Saturday 1 August                    Open until 9 p.m.
Sunday 2 August                      8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Monday 3 August                      8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Note: The operating hours might change depending on the needs of the media. There will be a security sweep on 27/28 July. Further information on this will be available on site.
Media Conference Room – Kuala Lumpur Convention CentreThe Media Conference Room will be the venue of the various press conferences and press briefings during the EB meeting and 128th IOC Session. The Media Conference Room will be open to all media and will have a platform with proper audio splits for a limited number of ENG crews and photographers. Free-of-charge wireless internet will be available in this area. Interpretation will be available via headsets.
Mixed Zones and Interview Areas – Kuala Lumpur Convention CentreThere will be various Mixed Zone opportunities available during the 128th IOC Session for short interviews. Media are advised that space may be limited and that access may be controlled by the use of supplementary access devices, which may be requested on site via IOC Media Operations in the MPC for press and photographers, and at the OBS Office in the IBC for broadcasters. Further information on Mixed Zone operations will be available in the MMC. A full detailed media briefing will also take place prior to events. 
Media Access to the IOC Session Room and Announcement Ceremony / Candidate Cities’ Presentations RoomMedia will be able to follow the 128th IOC Session, the presentation of the Candidate Cities and the announcement ceremony of the host cities live by closed circuit TV and on large screens within the MMC. There will be a limited number of ENG and photographer platforms available in both rooms. These positions are fixed, with no roaming permitted. Media are advised that space may be limited and that access may therefore be controlled by the use of supplementary access devices, which may be requested on site via IOC Media Operations in the MPC for press and photographers, and at the OBS Office in the IBC for broadcasters. 
Media Rate CardsThe Rate Card Part A will be available shortly for all media (broadcasters, press and photographers) to book dedicated services provided by the Local Organising Committee. There is also the Rate Card Part B which is for broadcasters only to book technical facilities and the television feed from the event – more information is available in section 9. 

8) BROADCAST COVERAGE OF THE IOC EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING AND THE IOC SESSION
IOC Production
The IOC has appointed Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) as the host broadcaster for this event. OBS will produce the live radio and television coverage. The international signals produced by OBS will be made available as “Pool Coverage” to participating broadcasters and other bona fide media organisations at the IBC for live broadcast. The international signal will be in high-definition with a 16:9 picture ratio, HD-SDI 1080i 50Hz, and will be distributed to the broadcasters in the IBC in HD-SDI. Please click here for the production schedule, which outlines the live coverage of the events. This schedule is tentative and subject to change. 
Pool CoverageThe “Pool Coverage” of the IOC 128th Session to be hosted in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (the “Session”), is available for its broadcast and making available to participating broadcasters and other bona fide media organisations, in accordance with the production schedule (the “IOC Pool Coverage”) and the following conditions. 
Linear Broadcast Broadcasters may broadcast the IOC “Pool Coverage” (as defined previously), in whole or in part, either live or for a maximum of 24 hours after the meetings/events. After that time, broadcasters may broadcast only short excerpts for news purposes in regularly scheduled news programmes. These broadcasts may not be sponsored in any way which gives the impression that third parties are linked to the Candidate Cities or to the Olympic Games, unless such third parties are Olympic sponsors in the territory in which such broadcasts take place. All broadcasters who make use of the “Pool Coverage” or who otherwise broadcast coverage of the 128th IOC Session shall be deemed to agree to these conditions.  
Digital BroadcastBroadcasters and bona fide media organisations may broadcast/make available the “Pool Coverage”, in whole or in part, either live or on demand, without time or territorial restriction.  
A broadcast feed/stream of the Pool Coverage will also be available on the IOC’s Olympic YouTube Channel, with the possibility to be embedded on websites and platforms controlled by third parties. 
The coverage of the Session shall be used for editorial purposes only and shall not be commercialised in any way.
No Commercial /Promotional Association

• No commercial/promotional association is permitted with the coverage of the Session. In particular, no sponsorship or commercial/ad superimposition on the video footage is permitted, unless with the IOC’s prior written consent.  
• No association with the Games of the XXXII Olympiad and/or the Candidate Cities is permitted, unless based on the rights granted by the IOC pursuant to a standing agreement between the IOC and a Rights-Holding Broadcaster or a TOP Sponsor.

The use of the “Pool Coverage” by any broadcast or bona fide media organisation is subject to the conditions hereby established and, by using the “Pool Coverage”, such broadcast or bona fide media organisation shall be deemed to agree with these conditions.  

9) BROADCAST-SPECIFIC FACILITIES & SERVICES
International Broadcast Centre (IBC)The IBC will be located within the MMC and will be made available to broadcasters of booked facilities, such as modular or tailored space. Broadcasters may also book furniture, TV monitors, communications facilities and equipment, etc.
Stand-up LocationsAs part of the broadcast infrastructure, there will be a select number of dedicated and bookable stand-up locations with and without camera operators inside the venue with a view of Kuala Lumpur and the iconic Petronas Towers.
StudiosDedicated TV studios may be booked with a view of Kuala Lumpur and the iconic Petronas Towers.  
Commentary PositionsA limited number of commentary positions for the Candidate City presentations and Announcement Ceremony only are available. ISDN lines are not included and must be booked from Rate Card Part A which will be available shortly. 
International ConnectivityBroadcasters may book connectivity from Kuala Lumpur to their various home countries for all or select portions of the IOC Session.

10) BOOKING FOR BROADCAST FACILITIES
OBS is using Eurovision as the Technical Service Provider for the broadcast facilities.
Broadcasters should begin the ordering process for services and facilities for the event by first completing the Broadcaster Questionnaire. The Broadcaster Questionnaire asks for general information about the broadcasters´ specific broadcasting plan for the IOC Session and is required for broadcasters that require the booking of various facilities and services, as well as accreditation for the event.  
As mentioned previously, Rate Card Part A will be available shortly for standard facilities and services and Rate Card Part B is available for broadcast technical services. The items and rates listed in the Rate Cards are subject to change and will depend on availability and demand. Requests for items not included in the Rate Cards may also be made but cannot be guaranteed.  
Bookings and requests for broadcast facilities should be directed to the contacts whose details can be found below for both Rate Card Part A and Rate Card Part B.  
Bookings for items from Rate Card Part A: 
Email the completed order as part of Media Rate Card Part A to: 
Local Organising Committee, Kuala Lumpur
Contact:            Karen Tay / Dhinnesh Kumaran (LOC Media Manager)
Email:               ratecardMY2015@mep.com.my / dhinnesh@media247.com.my
Tel:                   +60 19 337 1033 / +60 19 382 7962
Fax:                  +60 37 782 9689
Bookings for items from Rate Card Part B: 
Email the completed order as part of the Broadcaster Questionnaire to:
Eurovision – Euroradio (Technical Services Provider)
Contact:            Nathalie Minard (based in Geneva)
Tel:                   +41 22 717 28 44
And 
Contact:            Marc Granena (based in Singapore)
Tel:                   +65 6521 3522
Email:               bookings@eurovision.net
General Broadcast Enquiries:
All bookings and requests for broadcast facilities for both Part A and Part B of the Rate Cards should also be copied to OBS at the email address below.
Olympic Broadcasting Services
Contact:            Matt Mason / Nuno Barradas
Email:               iocsession@obs.tv  
Tel:                   +34 91 502 9700
Fax:                  +34 91 502 9710
The deadline for broadcast bookings is Friday 29 May 2015 and priority for facilities and services will be given to broadcasters from the countries of Candidate Cities. Once the bookings have been confirmed, these two organisations will process their respective invoicing.  

11) COPYRIGHT
All broadcasters should note that their broadcasts may not be sponsored in any way which would give the impression that third parties are linked to the Candidate Cities or to the Olympic Games, unless such third parties are Olympic sponsors in the territory in which such broadcasts take place. 

12) IOC KEY CONTACTS
IOC Media Relations: 
Contacts:          Emmanuelle Moreau, Rachel Rominger, Sandrine Tonge
Phone:              +41 21 621 6000
Email:               pressoffice@olympic.org
IOC Media Operations:
Contact:            Anthony Edgar, Colin Banks
Phone:              +41 79 6151327 (Anthony Edgar)
Email:               anthony.edgar@olympic.org or colinbanksoz@hotmail.com
Local Organising Committee, Kuala Lumpur:Contact:            Dhinnesh Kumaran (LOC Media Manager)
Phone:             +60 19 382 7962
Email:               dhinnesh@media247.com.my 

Important documents to download:

• Map of Kuala Lumpur
• Media Hotel rates
• Detailed Schedule of Events
• Rate Card Part A (available shortly for all media)
• Rate Card Part B
• Broadcast Production Schedule
• Broadcaster Questionnaire

IOC launches Consultants Register for Olympic Games 2024 Bid Process

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23/04/2015

Implementation of Olympic Agenda 2020 continued today with the launch of the Consultants Register for the Olympic Games 2024 Bid Process on www.olympic.org.

All consultants wishing to participate in or support a candidature for the Olympic Games must be entered in the International Olympic Committee (IOC)’s Register of Consultants list for the city concerned. Entry in the Register is a prerequisite for the provision of any service and/or the signature of any service contract by the National Olympic Committee (NOC) and/or the city.
The Register and Rules of Conduct form part of Recommendation 3 of Olympic Agenda 2020, the IOC’s strategic roadmap for the future of the Olympic Movement that was unanimously approved at the 127th IOC Session in Monaco in December 2014. Recommendation 3, which aims to reduce the cost of bidding for the Olympic Games, states: “The IOC to create and monitor a register of consultants/lobbyists eligible to work for a bid city. Formal acceptance of the IOC Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct by such consultants/lobbyists as a prerequisite for listing in the register.”
Registration in the IOC’s Register of Consultants does not constitute any form of endorsement by the IOC. A consultant is considered to be any individual or company not linked by an employment contract to the NOC, the city or the Bidding Committee, and which/who  participates in or supports a candidature by providing consultancy or similar services in any way and at any time.
The IOC is pleased to see that a number of consultants have already registered online. The list is public and can be consulted at any time on www.olympic.org.
Also published today are the updated version of the Rules of Conduct Applicable to all Cities Wishing to Organise the Olympic Games, which includes the Rules for the Register of Consultants participating in the Olympic Games 2024 Candidature Process.

IOC President discusses sport’s role in society with Prime Minister of Hungary

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©IOC/Ian Jones

16/04/2015

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach today welcomed Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to The Olympic Museum in Lausanne, where the pair discussed the positive benefits sport can have in society, in particular through the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

During a tour of The Olympic Museum, President Bach also updated Prime Minister Orbán about the progress being made on implementing Olympic Agenda 2020, the IOC’s strategic roadmap for the future of the Olympic Movement.

They discussed the changes to the bidding process for the Olympic Games. These include cost reductions, an emphasis on sustainability and the new Invitation Phase. During the Invitation Phase, the IOC welcomes potential candidate cities to present a project that fits their sporting, economic, social and environmental long-term planning needs. It also gives the cities an opportunity to receive information and advice from the IOC on how best to achieve such legacies.

The IOC President informed the Hungarian Prime Minster of his visit a day earlier to the UN headquarters in New York, where he called for sport to play a greater role as a force for positive change. During his speech, President Bach urged UN Member States to include sport in the future development agenda SDGs, scheduled to be finalised in September this year. President Bach praised the strong role of sport in education in Hungary.

On Tuesday, the Hungarian Prime Minister oversaw the signing of the official agreement between the International Swimming Federation (FINA) and the city of Budapest to host the FINA World Championships and World Masters Championships in 2017. 

IOC President calls for sport to be included in UN Sustainable Development Goals during speech at UN headquarters

KALYAN KUMAR MAHATA The true appellation of Apu. A Creative Commons license.

©IOC/Ian Jones

15/04/2015

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach today said the time has come for sport to play a greater role as a force for positive change around the world during a speech at the UN headquarters in New York. 

His remarks were met with broad support from UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and President of the UN General Assembly H.E. Sam Kutesa, who also spoke at the event, called “United Action Towards Sustainable Development For All Through Sport.” 
“Sport has a unique role in society,” President Bach said. “Sport is the only area of human existence that has achieved its own universal law. The rules of sport are recognised and followed wherever sport is played. They are based on a global ethic of fair play, respect for opponents, tolerance and friendship. In sport all people are equal.” 
The IOC President continued: “Sport and physical education programmes provide a strong incentive for school attendance and contribute to a broad spectrum of life skills. Sport teaches respect for rules and respect for others, tolerance, non-discrimination, team-building, communication, decision-making and problem-solving. It promotes self-esteem, personal responsibility and self-discipline. Active children are learning more effectively. Sport is not a distraction from education – it is an important part of education.” 
The IOC President underscored how Olympic Agenda 2020, the IOC’s strategic roadmap for the future of the Olympic Movement, is driving change that is sending “a strong message that the Olympic Movement is ready to engage with society in new and more meaningful ways.” This includes a new global sustainable development agenda that will be finalised later this year. 
“We are showing in a transparent way that more than 90 per cent of the revenues the IOC generates are distributed to the sporting movement and to athletes worldwide,” President Bach said. “This means that the IOC distributes USD 3.25 million a day, every day of the year, for the development of sport worldwide.”  
Read President Bach’s full remarks here.
The United Nations has long recognised the contribution of sport for development and peace, and collaboration between the IOC and the UN has played a central role in spreading the acceptance of sport as a means to promote internationally agreed development goals.  
“Let us use sport to leave a transformative and sustainable legacy for our children and grandchildren.  It is sport’s motivational appeal that gives hope and helps improve the lives of many,” said the UN Secretary-General. “I sincerely hope that the Member States of the United Nations, while they negotiate to shape the future development agenda [see] the importance of sport, not only in health, but in peace and harmony, reconciliation, mutual understanding and respect for others, and fair games and rule of law and human rights – all these will be duly reflected so that we all can work together to build this world better for all, where all the peoples human dignity and human rights and happiness and prosperity and wellbeing will be respected.”
Read the Secretary-General’s full remarks here.
Ireland’s permanent representative to the UN, Ambassador David Donoghue, is one of facilitators in the negotiations for the development of the Sustainable Development Goals. He said: “It is clear that sport is a key contributor to many of the goals and targets of the MDGs. As we move towards agreement on a post-2015 Development Agenda, I hope that it will be possible to acknowledge in some way the role of sport in supporting development and peace.”
Also speaking at the event were the President of the UN General Assembly H.E. Sam Kutesa, President of the International Paralympic Committee Sir Philip Craven and IOC Member Angela Ruggiero. 
Following the event, President Bach had a meeting with the Executive Director of UN Women, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, before he attended a luncheon hosted by the UN Secretary-General.

First International Forum for Sports Integrity adopts roadmap for future action to protect clean athletes

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©IOC/Christophe Moratal (2)

13/04/2015

IOC launches whistle-blower hotline for competition manipulation and other ethical issues that threaten the integrity of sport 

Another Olympic Agenda 2020 recommendation was implemented today when the International Forum for Sports Integrity (IFSI) met for the first time in Lausanne at the initiative of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).  
Coinciding with today’s forum, the IOC launched its new Integrity and Compliance Hotline, a new reporting mechanism for potential cases of competition manipulation as well as other violations of the integrity of sport. The web-based hotline is open to athletes, coaches, referees and the public, and guarantees 100 per cent anonymity. Anyone can report suspicious approaches or activities related to competition manipulation and/or infringements of the IOC Code of Ethics or other matters – including financial misconduct or other legal, regulatory and ethical breaches – over which the IOC has jurisdiction. 
The IFSI, a successor to the Founding Working Group on the Fight Against Irregular and Illegal Betting in Sport, reviewed what has been delivered and prepared a roadmap for future action aimed at strengthening and coordinating all activities to protect clean athletes from match-fixing, manipulation of competitions and related corruption.
 
The Forum called on European and non-European governments to sign the Council of Europe Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions, which particularly ensures that domestic laws enable criminal investigations and sanctioning of the manipulation of sports competitions when it involves either coercive, corrupt or fraudulent practices. 
The meeting was chaired by IOC President Thomas Bach and included representatives from world governments, the Council of Europe, the European Union, INTERPOL, Europol, United Nations agencies, sports betting operators, Olympic Movement stakeholders and others.* The Forum is fully supported by the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC), Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) and Association of International Olympic Winter Sports Federations (AIOWF).
The measures adopted by the IFSI today are centred on three main themes:

• Education and Information;  
• Intelligence and Investigations; and
• Legislation and Regulation. 

As emphasised in Olympic Agenda 2020, the IOC’s strategic roadmap for the future of the Olympic Movement, the protection of clean athletes requires robust educational programmes. 
The IFSI today called for the proactive and preventive educational measures being taken at the international and national levels to be reproduced at the local level. Using elite athletes to act as role models in their communities was recommended as one way to do this. 
The role of governments in raising awareness and coordinating an integrated approach among police, public prosecutors and ministries of justice was also stressed.  
The protection of clean athletes also requires strong channels for the exchange of information and intelligence. These channels have been strengthened by the Council of Europe Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions and the IOC’s Integrity Betting Intelligence System (IBIS), the centralised system for exchange between the Olympic Movement, sports betting operators and regulators. 
The IFSI called for the creation of “national platforms” in line with those outlined in the Council of Europe Convention that would facilitate cooperation between all stakeholders.  Additionally, the IOC’s IBIS has to be integrated within this network of “national platforms”. 
It was agreed that the role of “sports integrity officers” should be defined and strengthened within sports organisations at all levels, including National Olympic Committees, International Federations and National Federations. 
A robust regulatory framework is also needed for the successful protection of clean athletes. To that end, the IFSI called on the Olympic Movement to develop global sports minimum standards (possibly in the form of a Code for the Olympic Movement) regarding the manipulation of competitions and related corruption.  
“In Olympic Agenda 2020 we stressed the need to protect clean athletes from match-fixing, manipulation of competitions and related corruption,” said the IOC President. “Today’s forum has brought all key players around the table to address this need and coordinate our action. We are pleased with the support we have received so far in this regard, in particular from the Council of Europe. We are intensifying our efforts to protect the integrity of sport and we ask that European and non-European governments sign the Council of Europe’s Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions and continue to work hand-in-hand with us.” 
Read IOC President Thomas Bach’s opening remarks here.
During his introductory remarks, Thorbjørn Jagland, Secretary General of the Council of Europe said: “The Council of Europe would like to thank the IOC for its support of the Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions that was adopted last year. We also call on all governments to sign the Convention and join us in building a system that successfully safeguards clean athletes.” 
The IFSI forms part of Recommendation 16 of Olympic Agenda 2020, the IOC’s strategic roadmap for the future of the Olympic Movement. It is just one of the many measures, regarding the special fund of USD 20 million the IOC set up to protect clean athletes, which have already been implemented.  
A prevention programme for the fight against match-fixing and related corruption is under way in cooperation with INTERPOL and financed by the IOC. In addition, the IOC is in the process of implementing mandatory Integrity E-Learning for all athletes, officials and IOC/NOC staff prior to or during the Olympic Games. 
*Click here for a full list of participants.

IOC President launches festivities marking the IOC’s 100 years in Lausanne

KALYAN KUMAR MAHATA The true appellation of Apu. A Creative Commons license.

©IOC / Ian Jones

10/04/2015

Landmark study shows major impact the IOC has on the city, canton and country, with a contribution of over CHF 1 billion annually to the economy

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is today marking 100 years of its presence in Lausanne. On 10 April 1915, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Movement, decided in agreement with the City to establish the headquarters of the IOC in Lausanne.
One hundred years later, IOC President Thomas Bach, in the presence of the Swiss Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport, Ueli Maurer, Lausanne Mayor Daniel Brélaz and State Councillor Philippe Leuba, officially marked this significant anniversary and kicked off the celebrations that will take place throughout the year across the city.
©CIO
The day started at the Bois-de-Vaux cemetery, where the IOC President paid tribute to Pierre de Coubertin. “Pierre de Coubertin himself decided to establish the IOC in Lausanne. It was the right decision to take then and it still is now. One century later, the Olympic Movement continues to flourish in the city that Coubertin chose. Though we are already implementing the recommendations of Olympic Agenda 2020, it is certain that Coubertin, a visionary and reformer at heart, would have loved to take part in this new stage in the future of the Olympic Movement and offer us sage advice.”
©IOC / Ian Jones
The IOC President then held a press conference at The Olympic Museum, during which he unveiled the latest results of a study showing the impact of the IOC on the Lausanne region, the Canton of Vaud and Switzerland. The study shows that the IOC and the 45 International Sports Federations based in Switzerland have a yearly economic impact of CHF 1.07 billion for Switzerland, CHF 546 million for the Canton of Vaud and CHF 250 million for Lausanne. 
The study, commissioned by the IOC, the City of Lausanne and the Canton of Vaud, was conducted by the International Academy of Sports Science and Technology (AISTS), under the supervision of International Institute for Management Development (IMD) Professor Stéphane Garelli and Georgetown University Professor Jean-Jacques Dethier.
The full study can be downloaded at the following address: http://www.aists.org/impactstudy.
©CIO/Richard Juilliart
“The IOC enjoys a special relationship with Lausanne, and I am pleased to see that our presence here has prompted many International Federations to set up their headquarters in the Lausanne area and in other parts of Switzerland,” said President Thomas Bach. “With nearly CHF 3 million spent daily by the IOC and the international sports organisations, the impact on the local, regional and national economy is undeniable. Concretely, this means that every CHF 1 spent in Switzerland by sporting organisations generates CHF 1.55 for the local economy. The IOC is extremely pleased and proud of this contribution,” he added.
Covering the years 2008-2013, the AISTS study proposes a new approach as it is the first ever to include the direct economic impact, the indirect economic impact and the induced impact.
Among other striking figures, the study shows that the IOC and the international sports organisations employ 2,150 people in Switzerland and that they account for 32,000 business overnight stays per year.
“During these 100 years of common history, we wrote many important and fascinating chapters, and I am looking forward to the next one, which will see the consolidation of our headquarters in Lausanne,” President Thomas Bach said.
Indeed, the IOC decided last year to group together its administration – of 500 people – at a single location in Vidy, thus guaranteeing many jobs in Lausanne. For the IOC, it is a considerable investment – a total amount of CHF 200 million.

©IOC / Ian Jones
The concept developed by Danish architectural firm 3XN will offer the region a symbolic building meeting the highest demands in terms of sustainable development. It also aims to encourage integration with the environmental and historical heritage as well as with the local population. “At a time when we are speaking about the future of our Movement with Olympic Agenda 2020, the new headquarters is a bridge between the roots of the IOC in Lausanne and our vision for the future,” underlined the IOC President.
For more information on the consolidation of the IOC headquarters, please click here.
With the consolidation of its headquarters, the IOC is further establishing itself in Lausanne for another 100 years. Indeed, the City of Lausanne has accepted to grant the IOC a lease until 2115.
In 2014, the IOC inaugurated its brand new Olympic Museum, which has since welcomed over 260,000 visitors.
©CIO/Christophe Moratal
The Olympic Museum will also pay tribute to the joint history of the IOC and Lausanne with the Centenary Exhibition. Inaugurated this morning by the IOC President, the exhibition, set up on the “Helvétie” boat on the quai d’Ouchy until 15 October, retraces the various chapters of this union between the IOC and the City of Lausanne.
In the coming months, the local population will have the opportunity to join the centenary celebrations by taking part in a number of events including:
- 10 April – 15 October: A photo exhibition at landmark sites in Lausanne (Casino Montbenon, Villa Mon-Repos, the IOC headquarters in Vidy, the House of International Sport (MSI), Lausanne train station and The Olympic Museum)
-  26 June: Olympic Day Run. Long and short race: both will go past Olympic landmarks in the city and finish at the Pierre de Coubertin Stadium.
- 27-28 June: Open Day at the IOC headquarters, The Olympic Museum, Villa Mon-Repos and other Olympic locations in Lausanne.
- 12-15 October: Olympic Week, with sports activities for children and teenagers in Lausanne.

IOC President attends stone-laying at World Archery Excellence Centre

KALYAN KUMAR MAHATA The true appellation of Apu. A Creative Commons license.

©IOC/Ian Jones (3)

09/04/2015

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach today joined World Archery President and IOC Executive Board Member Uğur Erdener in laying the foundation stone at the World Archery Excellence Centre in Lausanne.

The new facility will eventually welcome elite and novice athletes, both local and international, while doubling as a research and educational hub.



“Archery is one of the most ancient sports, but it has also been an innovator throughout its history and once more it is shown here at this centre”, said the IOC President at today’s ceremony. “This centre will be a great tool to help communicate Olympic values to the athletes, coaches and other users of this facility.”

Dr Erdener took the opportunity to thank the city of Lausanne, Canton of Vaud and the Swiss federal authorities for the excellent partnership they have enjoyed over the years and in working together to realise the new centre.

“We have great ambitions and we want always to be an innovator”, Erdener said, before underlining the fact that the facility would not only be home to elite athletes but also to the general public. “The users of the centre will be athletes, coaches, judges and many other people who want to discover our sport.” 

The laying of the first stone comes at a historic moment for the Olympic Movement in Switzerland, and in Lausanne in particular. Tomorrow, 10 April, marks one hundred years since the IOC moved its headquarters to Lausanne.

 

In addition to the IOC, Switzerland currently houses 45 International Federations, and the World Archery Excellence Centre is another concrete illustration of how the Olympic Movement and the local authorities have worked together in partnership.

CDEP 2015 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IIMC - THE OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPH

KALYAN KUMAR MAHATA The true appellation of Apu. A Creative Commons license.

THE INAUGURAL DAY PHOTO SESSION AT THE LAWN

PHOTOGRAPH : CDEP 2015  IIM-CALCUTTA.