KALYAN KUMAR MAHATA The true appellation of Apu.

IOC President Bach welcomes Singapore President in Lausanne

©IOC/Christophe Moratal

09/05/2014

Today in Lausanne, IOC President Thomas Bach met with the President of the Republic of Singapore, Tony Tan Keng Yam. The two leaders also toured the recently renovated Olympic Museum. 

During the meeting, the IOC President, who was accompanied by IOC member in Singapore Ser Miang Ng, thanked Singapore for all it had done for the Olympic Movement, particularly in staging the first edition of the Youth Olympic Games. 
The President of Singapore commented that: “the Olympic Games were always such a great inspiration to youth around the world.” And he praised the Olympic Movement for “its remarkable values.”
The pair also discussed the work currently being undertaken by the IOC to develop the “Olympic Agenda 2020” roadmap that will shape the future of the Olympic Movement. 
Also accompanying President Bach was IOC Director General Christophe De Kepper.

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KALYAN KUMAR MAHATA The true appellation of Apu.

IOC President Thomas Bach meets President of the Swiss Confederation, Didier Burkhalter

©IOC/Christophe Moratal

09/05/2014

The President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach, today welcomed the President of the Swiss Confederation, Didier Burkhalter, for a one-hour meeting at the IOC headquarters in Lausanne before inviting him to visit the newly renovated Olympic Museum. 

The two leaders discussed a number of items of common interest, including the long ties between the Olympic Movement and Switzerland that have led many sports organisations to set up home in the country, and the continued presence of the IOC in Switzerland.  
The leaders discussed the future of the Olympic Movement, and President Bach outlined the progress made on “Olympic Agenda 2020”, a strategic plan for the future which will be finalised by the end of the year. They also assessed the highly successful Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, with the Swiss President having just returned from meeting President Putin in Moscow, where he led the OSCE delegation. 
“The ties between Switzerland and the IOC are based on great cooperation in the past. We feel at home here in Switzerland, and we certainly hope that it will be possible for this to  continue, and this is a sentiment echoed by many of our partners from International Federations and other sports organisations who followed the IOC’s lead and set up their headquarters in Switzerland.”  
Discussions also touched upon the celebrations surrounding the 100th anniversary of the IOC being headquartered in Lausanne which will be marked next year. Then-IOC President Pierre de Coubertin moved the IOC headquarters to Lausanne in 1915 in the midst of the First World War. In recognition of the long history that unites the IOC and Lausanne, the city received the title of Olympic Capital in 1993. 
President’s Burkhalter’s delegation was composed of the head of the Directorate of Public International Law and Legal Advisor of the Swiss Foreign Ministry, Valentin Zellweger; the Director of Switzerland's Federal Office for Sport, Matthias Remund; the Head of the President’s office, Damien Cottier; the Communications Chief, Jean-Marc Crevoisier; and the Head of Présence Suisse, Nicolas Bideau. 
President Bach was accompanied by IOC Director General Christophe De Kepper.

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KALYAN KUMAR MAHATA The true appellation of Apu.

PyeongChang enters Winter Games spotlight

©PyeongChang 2018

01/05/2014

Four years before the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games get underway, the PyeongChang 2018 Organising Committee (POCOG) continues to make steady progress in its preparations, as it enters the full glare of the Winter Games spotlight.

That was the message delivered by the International Olympic Committee (IOC)’s Coordination Commission for the XXIII Olympic Winter Games, which today concluded its third inspection visit to the 2018 host city (29 April – 1 May).
 “We have had three excellent days of meetings and I’d like to congratulate President Kim of POCOG and his team for the quality of their work”, said IOC Coordination Commission Chair Gunilla Lindberg. “We were able to see that a large amount has been accomplished by POCOG and its partners since our last visit in June 2013. The participation of the International Federations, the Korean Olympic and Paralympic Committees, and the Korean national winter sports federations was also very beneficial and allowed POCOG to engage in in-depth discussions on all topics related to the venues and sport. The 2018 Games are on the right track but it is clear that much work remains. We are confident that POCOG and Korea will deliver great Games for the athletes in 2018.”
The meetings in PyeongChang were attended by all levels of government including Vice- Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Jong Kim and the Governor of Gangwon Province, Moon-soon Choi. The high-level presence of the authorities was appreciated by the Commission and demonstrated the continued support of the Korean authorities for the PyeongChang 2018 Games.  
On Wednesday, the Coordination Commission toured the Mountain and Coastal Clusters, visiting a number of the venues, including both Olympic Villages; the sliding centre; International Broadcast Centre; Main Press Centre; the venues for speed skating, figure skating, short track, ice hockey, and curling; as well as two media villages. 
The Commission identified a number of key areas that require POCOG’s focus over the next six months. These include marketing, venue construction, test events and Games services. In the area of marketing, the IOC noted with satisfaction that POCOG is in the process of finalising its first domestic partnership contract. The Commission was informed that construction companies were being appointed for venues and that some construction was underway. It underlined the need for timelines to be carefully defined and adhered to, so as to avoid any impacts on test events. Test event preparations beyond venues were also highlighted, as the hiring and training of staff and volunteers should also begin in the near future. Finally, with timelines tight for the completion of accommodation contracting, the development of the Mountain Olympic Village and the transport management plan, the Coordination Commission encouraged POCOG to ensure that the appropriate focus and resources were dedicated to these important areas. 
POCOG President and CEO Jin-sun Kim commented, “The 3rd Coordination Commission meeting was the first one after Sochi, and it was especially meaningful because we had the high-level representatives of the international winter sports federations with us this time. We reconfirmed the fact that ‘Now is PyeongChang’ and that the eyes of the world are now on PyeongChang. We had very practical and detailed discussions. With what came out of these discussions, we will ensure seamless preparation of ‘Best Games’ in order to make the PyeongChang 2018 Games something special, something different and something unique. This year is a big turning point for us. We must establish a solid framework. As I always stress, we have no time to practise and no time for trial and error. We will streamline our Master Schedule and set our priorities straight so that everything runs smoothly according to the timeline.” 
The Commission also noted a number of areas where progress had been made since its last visit. The new highway and high-speed train connections from Seoul to the Olympic region are progressing well. These initiatives will leave a great legacy for Korea, its athletes and the citizens of Seoul and Gangwon Province. 
The appointment of three Vice-Presidents by POCOG and an associated reorganisation were received positively, as this will better enable the organisation to handle the increasing demands of organising the Games over the next four years. 
Finally, the awareness of the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games has been strengthened by the success of PyeongChang House in Sochi, and the very innovative Closing Ceremony segment, which presented the 2018 Games to a worldwide audience of millions. The Commission encouraged the local organisers to continue to engage and promote their Games at this high level over the next four years both at home and abroad. 
Other topics discussed during the Coordination Commission meetings included athlete services, sport, National Olympic Committee services, International Federation services, people management, finance, venues and infrastructure, accommodation, transport, test events, engagement, marketing, media services and the Paralympic Games. 
The fourth Coordination Commission visit to PyeongChang will take place at the end of November 2014, while in June, PyeongChang will play host to the official IOC Debriefing of the Sochi 2014 Winter Games with the participation of all the principal Games stakeholders.

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For more information, please contact the IOC Media Relations Team:
Tel: +41 21 621 6000 e-mail: 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.

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KALYAN KUMAR MAHATA The true appellation of Apu.

IOC Injury and Illness Prevention Conference hailed a success with record participation in Monaco

©Stéphane Danna

12/04/2014

The 2014 IOC World Conference on Prevention of Injury and Illness in Sport came to a close on 12 April, in Monaco.

The meetings, described by many delegates as the most constructive yet for researchers and practitioners in the field of sports medicine and prevention, were attended by a record 980 participants from 81 countries, and included 113 speakers, 5 keynote lectures, 24 symposia, 76 workshops and 202 abstracts; a remarkable increase at all levels from the last edition in 2011.
The Conference was the second organised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and was attended by HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, President of the NOC of Monaco and IOC member along with fellow member Dr Robin Mitchell, IOC Medical Director Richard Budgett, IOC Head of Scientific Activities Lars Engebretsen and a large number of world-renown experts in the fields of sports medicine and injury and illness prevention.Experts, team physicians from National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and International Federations (IFs), and students exchanged news of the latest research and advances in the prevention of injury and illness in athletes. Several symposia and workshops on application of the field’s current knowledge highlighted that the message and penetration are improving.
“We went into the Conference with high expectations and these were exceeded on every front”, said IOC Medical Director Dr Richard Budgett. “From the opening session with HSH Prince Albert II, all participants threw themselves into the workshops, keynotes, symposia and poster sessions delivered by inspirational researchers and practitioners.”
He added: “The Conference will change the practice of prevention, boost further research and protect the health of athletes everywhere. The success is a tribute to all those who worked so hard to bring this unique three-yearly Conference to fruition; to our wonderful hosts in Monaco and most of all, to the nearly 1000 delegates who brought it to life and will ensure that their new understanding and knowledge translates into action, in particular in preventing injuries and illnesses in athletes all over the world until we meet again in three years' time.”
The protection of the athletes’ health is a top priority for the IOC, which is working together with different stakeholders to make this objective a reality. For instance, the event also saw the participation of Worldwide Olympic Partner GE. As official provider of medical imaging and ultrasound equipment to the Olympic Games, GE Healthcare successfully held a workshop on its Point of Care Ultrasound technology empowering elite athlete care.
The Conference is being followed by a three-day Advanced Team Physician Course (14-16 April) in Mandelieu, France, which will convene 150 participants from around the world to provide knowledge and insights on sports medicine to NOC physicians.
While there are many health benefits that can be derived from the practice of sport, there is also an inherent risk of injury and illness, especially at the elite level. The IOC has therefore initiated and supported research on various topics related to the health of athletes, with the ultimate objective of significantly reducing injuries and illnesses in sport.
The IOC also conducts an extensive surveillance study during each edition of the Olympic Games, collecting invaluable information on all athlete injuries and illnesses acquired during competition and, or training, in order to gain further knowledge about the effectiveness and weaknesses of existing prevention programmes.

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For more information, please contact the IOC Media Relations Team:
Tel: +41 21 621 6000 e-mail: pressoffice@olympic.org, or visit our web site at www.olympic.org.
Videos
YouTube: 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 media
For up-to-the-minute information on the IOC and regular updates, please follow us on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

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KALYAN KUMAR MAHATA The true appellation of Apu.

Moose, Weasel or Lynx? - Lillehammer 2016 Mascot finalists announced

16/04/2014

One of these animals will be the mascot for the Lillehammer 2016 Youth Olympic Games! Entries from all over the world came flooding in and following what must have been a difficult decision, we are left with three YOGtastic finalists, and it is up to you to pick a winner.

 The jury consisted of Simen Staalnacke, one of the founders of a Norwegian clothing line, Julie Strømsvåg, sports anchor of Norwegian Olympic Broadcaster TV2, Paralympic athlete Birgit Skarstein and design student, Marianne Ågotnes.

Copyright: Geir Owe Fredheim

 “I am really looking forward to see the mascot whizz down the half pipe during the YOG,” says an enthusiastic Staalnacke – and so are we!  
Keep an eye on our Lillehammer 2016 Facebook page for updates on how to vote.

KALYAN KUMAR MAHATA The true appellation of Apu.

         IOC launches a new online educational platform for athletes

31/03/2014

Recognising that many athletes face the challenge of pursuing their education whilst focusing on their sporting career, the IOC has developed, in collaboration with a number of its commissions, including the IOC Athletes' and Entourage Commissions, an online platform delivering free, engaging, educational content to a worldwide athlete audience. Known as IOC Athlete MOOC (Massive Open Online Course), this platform goes live today!

Bringing together Olympic champions, world-renowned coaches, leading academics and inspiring leaders, the IOC Athlete MOOC features academic lectures delivered by prominent institutions from around the world, video insights, online live events, discussion forums and various learning resources. In addition to already existing sample lessons, those registered can now follow three new exclusive courses entitled Smarter Eating for Better Performance, Can Champions Be Made and Athlete Career Transition.
Smarter Eating for Better PerformanceExploring the fundamentals of nutrition for athletes, this course examines the impact diet can have on training and competition. Led by Professor Ron Maughan, Chair of the IOC Medical Commission’s Nutrition Working Group, this 70-minute lesson will provide athletes and their entourage with insights into what foods to eat, when, the purpose of protein and carbohydrate post-exercise, and how best to stay hydrated.
Can Champions Be Made?
How do we identify talent? Which is the greater influence: nature or nurture? Throughout the 70-minute lesson, Professor Craig Williams, Director of Children’s Health and Exercise Research Centre and Director of Postgraduate Studies in Sport and Health Sciences, delves into the theories and practices of taking raw talents and turning them into champions, ultimately addressing what is the best way to maximise a young talented athlete’s potential. 
Athlete Career Transition (coming soon)As former biathlete and Olympic champion Vincent Defrasne outlines in the introduction: “at some point, every athlete has to retire” and find a new career outside the field of play. This two-hour course will look at the Athlete Career Programme (ACP), and how best to prepare for the transition from elite sport to a successful career post-competition.
Split into five instructional videos, from where to start to next steps, participants are given tools to identify their strengths, passions and the many transferrable skills they gained during their sports careers, receiving advice from employment professionals such as Adecco Senior Vice President Patrick J Glennon. It also features additional testimonials from IOC Athletes’ Commission Vice Chair, Olympian and Harvard graduate, Angela Ruggiero; former US boxing champion, Angel Bovee, hired in 2011 by Adecco and the United States Olympic Committee to manage the Team USA Career Programme; and Barbara Kendall, New Zealand’s boardsailing gold medallist and a member of the IOC Athletes’ Commission, and the IOC Commissions for Women and Sport as well as Sport and Environment.
“Focused on giving you an overview of each pillar of the ACP, this course will give you first-hand experience from Olympic athletes and help guide your way through education, life skills and employment”, remarks Defrasne. “As an elite athlete, this course will interest you for sure.”

Olympians give their seal of approval
Commenting on the IOC Athlete MOOC, Sergey Bubka, Chair of the Entourage Commission, said: “The lives of athletes are really busy. They travel all over the world; they spend a lot of time training; but when athletes start studying online, the can successfully combine sport and education.”
Chairwomen of the IOC Athletes’ Commission Claudia Bokel added: “Whether you’re an Olympian or aspiring athlete, this free, mobile and engaging platform will help you make the most of learning from the best in the world of sport!”
Find more information and to sign up for the IOC Athlete MOOC, click here: www.olympic.org/onlinecourse or go to the Athletes’ Space on Olympic.org.

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KALYAN KUMAR MAHATA The true appellation of Apu.

         Olympic Youth Development Centre hosts African Youth Olympic Games hopefuls

©Jean Mandela (4)

21/03/2014

The multi-sport complex in Lusaka, Zambia, hosted a five-nation hockey tournament, where boys and girls from Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe competed for a place in this summer’s 2nd Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China. The host team made history as they secured their first ever qualification for a Youth Olympic Games (YOG), along with pre-tournament favourites, South Africa.

Part of the International Olympic Committee (IOC)’s Sport for Hope Programme, the Olympic Youth Development Centre (OYDC), which opened its doors in 2010, aims to provide athletes, young people and local African communities with opportunities to practise sport and learn about the Olympics values.

A stage for young athletes
Last week, enthusiastic crowds filled the OYDC with joy and excitement as they watched their local boys’ and girls’ hockey teams battle it out on the field, in a bid to secure one of two places for the YOG in Nanjing, this summer.  “We have watched these boys and girls walk into the Olympic Youth Development Centre without any knowledge of the existence of hockey,” enthused the Director of the OYDC, Clement Chileshe.
Three years later, these young athletes have achieved an incredible victory by qualifying for their first major international sporting event, along with the South Africans. This milestone is an inspiration for the OYDC, the local community and in particular the young players. “It helps them believe in themselves economically and socially, and it will encourage them to do well in school and other areas of their lives,” commented Chileshe.

“A number of people are surprised at how fast we have achieved our goal, but when you have great supporting partners, as well as committed and extremely talented players, you can achieve miracles,” rejoiced the OYDC Director bursting with pride.
For the host nation Zambia, a qualification for the Youth Olympic Games is an invaluable opportunity to raise the profile of the Olympic Youth Development Centre and provide a further incentive for investing in youth development programmes. As one player’s mother exclaimed: “The games were excellent for the boys and girls. They have made not only us parents proud, but also the nation.”
For the latest news on the OYDC hockey tournament, visit the International Hockey Federation’s website: www.fih.ch

Hope and development through sport
The OYDC has grown considerably since it first opened its doors in 2010. Welcoming on average 10,000 youngsters on a regular basis, the state-of-the-art sports centre, which was launched four years ago by the IOC with the support of the Olympic Movement, now has an Olympic swimming pool, a lodge and a health centre. In all, the facility offers training opportunities for 16 different sports, with an emphasis on basketball, boxing, judo, hockey, track & field, table tennis and swimming. It is also the training ground for a number of high performance athletes, who hope to qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
In the four years of operations, more than 100 young athletes who had not practised sport before have since been integrated into national teams. The multi-sport centre also offers a wide range of educational programmes, health services and community activities aimed at improving the quality of life in a country ravaged by HIV/AIDS, poverty, crime and unemployment.
Learn more about the IOC’s development through sport

Learn more about the Olympic Youth Development Centre in Zambia

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