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

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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

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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

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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

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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
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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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