KALYAN KUMAR MAHATA The true appellation of Apu.

Register now for the 2014 IOC World Conference on Prevention of Injury & Illness in Sport

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02/12/2013

Make the most of the early bird rate until 15 December and waste no time in securing your place for the 2014 International Olympic Committee (IOC) World Conference on Prevention of Injury & Illness in Sport, set to take place in Monte-Carlo, Monaco, from 10 to 12 April 2014, in collaboration with the Principality. Learn more about the Conference and registration process below and on the official Conference website. 

With over 120 international sports and medical experts lined up as speakers, including the dynamic tandem of Professor Karim Khan, editor of the British Journal of Medical Science (BJMS), and Prof Domhnall Macauley, editor of the British Medical Journal (BMJ), the 2014 IOC World Conference on Prevention of Injury & Illness in Sport promises once again to offer the global sports and exercise medicine community three days of thorough and constructive exchange.

Looking beyond injuries and exploring the topic of prevention, recognised scientists and practitioners from the medical and sports field will share their latest findings in keynote lectures, symposia, workshops, dialogue sessions and a poster exhibition. Using a multidisciplinary approach, the objective of the Conference is to transfer academic knowledge on injury and illness prevention strategies to the field of play, in order to minimise the risk factors in sports participation and maximise safety for high-level and recreational athletes alike. 

Register for the Conference here before 15 December 2013 and benefit from the early bird rate of EUR 600.

Click here to consult the registration fees. Note that students registering for the Conference are eligible for a reduced fee. 

For further detailed information on programme, keynote speakers and accommodation, visit the official Conference website at: www.ioc-preventionconference.org.

Background Information

Health risks are inherent to the practice of sport, and protecting the wellbeing of the athletes is a key priority for the IOC. Through its Medical Commission, chaired by Professor Arne Ljungqvist, the IOC has initiated and supported research on various topics related to athletes’ health, with the ultimate goal of improving injury and illness prevention. The IOC also records and analyses all athlete injuries and illnesses that occur in competition and training at the Olympic Games to gain further knowledge about the effectiveness and weaknesses of existing programmes.

Learn more about the IOC’s Medical Commission

IOC Executive Board Meeting on 10 December 2013 – Information for the media

KALYAN KUMAR MAHATA The true appellation of Apu.

02/12/2013

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board (EB) will meet at the IOC headquarters in Vidy, Lausanne, on 10 December 2013.

The EB is scheduled to receive reports from various IOC Commissions, including the Athletes’ Commission; the summer and winter International Federations; the National Olympic Committees; and the World Anti-Doping Agency. Reports on the activities of the coordination commissions for upcoming editions of the Olympic Games are also planned, in addition to updates on the activities of the IOC administration.
The official inauguration of the newly renovated Olympic Museum will take place on the same date (10 December). During the inauguration, a handover ceremony will be held whereby IOC Honorary President Jacques Rogge will present the keys to the IOC to recently elected President Bach. Media are invited to attend the inauguration as well as a preview of The Museum’s new exhibitions (please see proposed visits for media in the programme below).  
From 11 to 14 December 2013, the EB will meet to discuss a wide range of themes related to the future of the Olympic Movement. Please note these will be closed meetings, therefore we would request media not to attend since there will be no media facilities or opportunities.
Media representatives wishing to cover the Executive Board meeting and the official inauguration of The Olympic Museum on 10 December are requested to confirm their attendance via the IOC website (please see below).
Programme

Time (CET)	Meetings/Events	Place
9 – 10.30 a.m.	Joint IOC and ANOC Meeting	IOC Headquarters, Vidy, Lausanne
10.35 a.m.	Photo opportunity	IOC Headquarters, Vidy, Lausanne
10.45 a.m. – 4.30 p.m. 5.30 p.m.	IOC Executive Board Meeting Press Conference with President Bach	IOC Headquarters, Vidy, Lausanne IOC Headquarters, Vidy, Lausanne
5.30 p.m.	Visit of The Olympic Museum for the media	The Olympic Museum, Ouchy, Lausanne
7 p.m.	Official handover ceremony between Honorary President Rogge and President Bach	The Olympic Museum, Ouchy, Lausanne
7.30 p.m.	Visit of The Olympic Museum for guests and media	The Olympic Museum, Ouchy, Lausanne

Please note that all times are subject to change. 
Media accreditationAccreditations are processed online. Media representatives wishing to cover the EB meetings and the inauguration of the new Olympic Museum are requested to register by Friday 5 December on the IOC website.  
If you have already registered for previous meetings, please access your profile using your email address and tick the box for “10 December 2013 Executive Board Meeting and official inauguration of The Olympic Museum”.
For journalists who have not yet registered, please follow the instructions provided in the link below. 
Click here to access the media accreditation system
TransportTransport from the EB meetings, taking place at the IOC headquarters, to The Olympic Museum will be provided for the media from 6.30 to 8 p.m.
6.30 p.m.          First departure from the IOC headquarters in Vidy, Lausanne, for The Olympic Museum
6.40 – 8 p.m.    Return trips between the IOC headquarters and The Olympic Museum will be continued until 8 p.m.
Venue of the Executive Board meetingInternational Olympic Committee (IOC)
Route de Vidy 9, 1007 Lausanne, Switzerland    
Media facilitiesIOC headquarters – media working room situated on level 1, equipped with Wi-Fi 
AccommodationMedia representatives are requested to make their own bookings. 
Press conference: teleconference call and playbackMedia representatives who will not be in Lausanne will have the possibility of listening to the President’s press conference live on 10 December by teleconference.
The number and access code will be as follows:
Number to dial (from Switzerland): +41 (0)58 810 70 00. For a full list of phone numbers in your country, please click here
Access code for participants (PIN Code): 5860347#
Please contact the IOC Communications Department one day in advance to confirm the time of the press conference.
Media representatives will also have the opportunity to access the audio recording of the President’s press conference on 10 December one hour after it takes place, and for a period of 48 hours, until Thursday 12 December at 7.30 p.m. Depending on where they are calling from, participants requesting the digital playback should dial: 
T: +41 91 612 4330 (in Europe)
T: +44 207 108 6233 (in the UK)     
T: +1 866 4162 558 (in the USA)
PIN code (access code): 16732#

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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.
VideosYouTube: www.youtube.com/iocmedia
PhotosFor an extensive selection of photos available shortly after each event, please follow us on Flickr.
To request archive photos and footage, please contact our Images team at: images@olympic.org.
Social mediaFor up-to-the-minute information on the IOC and regular updates, please follow us on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

KALYAN KUMAR MAHATA The true appellation of Apu.

IOC President meets French President François Hollande

©Présidence de la République - L. Blevennec

30/11/2013

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach today met French President François Hollande during a two-day visit to Paris.

The pair discussed the upcoming Olympic Winter Games in Sochi and expectations for the French athletes, France’s commitment to the fight against doping and illegal betting in sport, and sports development in France. The French President discussed a potential Olympic bid for 2024.
The pair also touched on the upcoming inaugural International Day of Sport for Development and Peace organized jointly by the IOC and the United Nations, which will take place each year on 6 April.
Accompanying President Bach for the meeting at the Palais de l’Elysée were IOC Members in France Guy Drut and Tony Estanguet, and IOC Director General Christophe De Kepper.
On Friday, President Bach met with the Secretary General of the International Organisation of La Francophonie Abdou Diouf. They also discussed potential cooperation for the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace.
Later on Saturday, the President is scheduled to attend the Centennial Gala Dinner of the International Fencing Federation (FIE) at the Grand Palais.

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KALYAN KUMAR MAHATA The true appellation of Apu.

SOCHI 2014

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

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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

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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.
VideosYouTube: www.youtube.com/iocmedia

Photos
For an extensive selection of photos available shortly after each event, please follow us on Flickr.
To request archive photos and footage, please contact our Images team at: images@olympic.org.
Social mediaFor up-to-the-minute information on the IOC and regular updates, please follow us on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

KALYAN KUMAR MAHATA The true appellation of Apu.

Olympic Games Legacy

More London 2012 legacies coming to life

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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.