Oceania National Olympic Committees hear how Olympic Agenda 2020 can help the region

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©IOC/Ian Jones

02/05/2015

IOC President tells General Assembly of the vital role of sport in health and  education in Oceania - meets President and Prime Minister of Fiji.

IOC President Thomas Bach addressed the General Assembly of the Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) today. He told them of the vital role sport can play in their countries in education, health, peace and development.

“Sport can contribute in many ways with regard to health, education, cohesion, social development, peace-building and nation-building, both internationally and nationally,” he said. He called again for the role of sport to be mentioned in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are to be approved in September. “We are working from our side to have sport included in the political declaration introducing these SDGs, and I would ask each of you to ask your governments to support this move,” he added.

Later, the IOC President met the Prime Minister of Fiji, who told him that sport was a key part of health and education policies in the country and vital to their implementation. He outlined his special programme to upgrade and build new sports facilities in Fiji. The Prime Minister also offered his support for the inclusion of sport in the UN SDGs.

President Bach talked about the importance of reaching young people through sport in the region. "Sport can also build bridges between communities, which is very important in some of the countries of Oceania," he said. The Prime Minister, who is also the President of the Fiji Rugby Union, added that he was hopeful the country would win a medal at next year's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

During his two days in Fiji, the IOC President held meetings with representatives of all the 17 NOCs that make up ONOC. They discussed the preparation of the region’s athletes for the Olympic Games in Rio next year, the qualification criteria and the scholarship programmes being supported by Olympic Solidarity.  At the opening ceremony of the meeting, on Friday he praised the Oceania NOCs for their dedication to sport and the Olympic values. 

At the ceremony, four members of the Oceania Olympic family were presented with the Olympic Order:

• Roseline Blake, who has been involved in sport at all levels for nearly 40 years and was the first woman to be elected as Secretary General of the Cook Islands NOC;
• Lord Tevita Tupou,  a former Executive Board member of ONOC, a member of the Pacific Games Council and the Oceania Football Confederation (Disciplinary Committee);
• Joe Bomal Carlo, who was Chef de Mission at the Olympic Summer Games from Barcelona 1992 to London 2012, CEO of the Vanuatu National Sports Council and President of the Vanuatu NOC; and
• Helen Brownlee, a Board member of the International Canoe Federation, the first female President of the Australian Canoe Federation and the first woman elected to the Executive Board of the Australian Olympic Committee, of which she is currently Vice-President.

Earlier in the day, the IOC President met the President of the Republic of Fiji. They discussed the huge contribution that sport can make in society. President Bach also took part in a rugby training session in Suva. Fiji has high hopes of winning a medal at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro next year, when rugby sevens will be on the programme for the first time.
 

IOC President and Australian PM discuss sport, society and a potential Aussie bid for 2028

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

©IOC / Ian Jones

29/04/2015

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach today met Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott in Canberra.

President Bach described the Olympic Games Sydney 2000 as “one of the most successful”, and Games that “all Australians could be proud of”.
The two leaders discussed the role that sport can play in society.
Prime Minister Abbott said that “sport can give a valuable purpose and a unifying force to build a better world”.
They discussed the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the importance of including sport in the final declaration.
Joined by Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) President John Coates, they also discussed a possible Australian bid for the Olympic Games in 2028.
Prime Minister Abbott said that Australia would “carefully consider” a bid, possibly by the city of Brisbane. The AOC has asked for a feasibility study, with Queensland mayors already coming out in favour of a project. Australian Minister of Health and Sport Sussan Ley and three-time Olympic gold medallist James Tomkins (rowing, Australia) also joined the talks.

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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

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

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

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

©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.