IOC President praises ‘great commitment’ of Republic of Korea President for Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018

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©PyeongChang 2018 (2)

19/08/2015

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach met Republic of Korea President Geun-hye Park at the Blue House in Seoul today to discuss the status of preparations for the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018.

In the third meeting between the two leaders, they discussed the good progress and quality of construction of Olympic venues over the last year. President Park reiterated her government’s full support and guidance for the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018.
“We had a very successful visit here in Korea,” said President Bach. “And I can say that we see the preparations for the Olympic Winter Games 2018 really being on track. There has been great progress made since my last visit.
“It was very important to have the opportunity to experience once more the real firm and great commitment of Republic of Korea President Park to the success of these Olympic Winter Games and also her great appreciation for the role sport plays in society. I was really impressed once more with this conversation with the President.”
President Bach told President Park of the reinvigorated cooperation between the International Federations, the PyeongChang Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (POCOG) and the IOC due in part to the Integration Working Group, which has proven very effective in its support for the Olympic Winter Games 2018.
IOC President Thomas Bach with PyeongChang 2018 President Cho Yang-ho
The IOC President singled out PyeongChang 2018 Organising Committee President Cho Yang-ho for his role in galvanising the preparations for the Games.
“My thanks to President Cho, who is doing an excellent job together with our IOC Coordination Commission,” said President Bach, who was accompanied throughout his one-day visit to Seoul by President Cho. “It is a real pleasure to see how the construction is coming off the ground, how the operations are making progress, and that we see the staffing of the Organising Committee with experienced people.”
As the organisers begin to shift from a transition stage to a more operational stage in preparations for the Games, focus is increasingly being placed on upcoming test events and the key learning opportunities they will provide. Recent efforts by POCOG to raise the profile of the Games are having a positive impact, but increased communication in and outside the organisation are needed in the lead-up to the first test events next year.
Earlier, President Bach spoke at a lunch organised by POCOG President Cho. The lunch was attended by leaders of the government, business and sports sectors. Accompanying President Bach were IOC Executive Board Member and Coordination Commission Chair for PyeongChang 2018 Gunilla Lindberg, IOC Director General Christophe De Kepper and Olympic Games Executive Director Christophe Dubi.
The President also visited the headquarters of the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) and Worldwide Olympic Partner Samsung.
President Bach is scheduled to travel to Beijing tomorrow for a joint meeting on 21 August between the IOC Executive Board and the Council of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). He will also attend the Opening Ceremony of the IAAF World Championships at the Bird’s Nest Stadium.

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IOC Session receives updates on implementation of Olympic Agenda 2020

©IOC/Ian Jones

02/08/2015

After the unanimous approval of Olympic Agenda 2020 in December 2014 each IOC Session will have a section devoted to the implementation of the 40 recommendations. Today at the 128th IOC Session in Kuala Lumpur, reports were delivered on the bid process, sport programme and host city proposal, turnkey solutions, roles of the International Federations, support to athletes, preparations for the launch of the Olympic Channel, ethics, changes to the IOC Commissions, and changes to the Olympic Charter.

IOC Olympic Games Executive Director Christophe Dubi and IOC Sports Director Kit McConnell provided a detailed report on the implementation of the first three recommendations of Olympic Agenda 2020 – shaping the bidding process as an invitation recommendation, evaluating bid cities by assessing key opportunities and risks, and reducing the cost of bidding.
“Olympic Agenda 2020 brings not only effectiveness and transparency but also opportunities for smaller countries, which were a little discouraged by the higher costs and investments recently made by certain Organising Committees,” said IOC Member in Slovakia Danka Bartekova. “I welcome these initiatives because it means there is a possibility even for smaller countries to bid for the Olympic Games. A wider range of countries that can apply means a more diverse experience not only for the athletes but also for Olympic fans and supporters around the world.”
IOC Member in the Netherlands Camiel Eurlings called the fact that four European National Olympic Committees (from France, Germany, Italy, and Hungary) and the United States Olympic Committee have expressed their commitment to bid for the 2024 Olympic Games a “hopeful development” that showed just how well-received the Olympic Agenda 2020 recommendations have been.
“I would take this positivism to continue incentivising ourselves and to keep on implementing these recommendations vigorously,” he said. “Let us remain very open to the flexibility that is provided in these recommendations. I clearly think we are on the right track.”
NOC Relations
The IOC granted full recognition to the South Sudan National Olympic Committee. Click here for more information.
Olympic Programme
In line with the Olympic Charter, the Session today approved the programme of the XXIV Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022, which is the same as that for the XXII Olympic Winter Games Sochi 2014. The sports are skiing, biathlon, curling, luge, bobsleigh and skeleton, skating, and ice hockey. All seven Olympic sports contributed significantly to the success of the Olympic Winter Games Sochi 2014, bringing real added value to the programme.
A proposal from the IOC Executive Board on the possible inclusion of new events on the programme for the Olympic Winter Games 2022 would be presented to the IOC Session before the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018.
World Flying Disc Federation
The World Flying Disc Federation (WFDF), meanwhile, was granted full IOC recognition today by the Session. The IF had been provisionally recognised in 2013 and is in full compliance with IOC requirements as specified in the IOC Recognition procedure adopted by the IOC Executive Board in April 2007.
The WFDF is the international governing body of all flying disc sports, including ultimate, beach ultimate, disc golf, freestyle, guts, and individual events. The IF counts 62 member associations that represent flying disc sports and their athletes in more than 58 countries.
IOC Administration, others
The Session also heard reports on legal affairs, the IOC administration, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and International Council of Arbitration for Sport (ICAS).

South Sudan NOC granted full recognition at 128th IOC Session

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

©IOC / Ian Jones (2)

02/08/2015

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) today approved the full recognition of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of South Sudan during its 128th Session in Kuala Lumpur. It becomes the latest territory to be recognised following the NOC of Kosovo last December. The IOC now counts 206 NOCs. 

IOC President Thomas Bach personally welcomed the South Sudan NOC, represented by its President Lt. Gen Wilson Deng Kuoirot and its Secretary General Tong Chor Malek Deran, into the Olympic fold and presented them with a certificate of recognition and an Olympic flag.
President Bach said: “With this recognition, we send a signal of hope to this young nation of South Sudan; a signal of hope because sport builds bridges between people and cultures. In sport all people are equal, all ethnic groups, all cultures and all religions are equal; a signal that South Sudan needs in difficult times.”
Wishing them a very bright future, he added: “We look forward to welcoming you at the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro where for the first time in your history, you will march behind your national flag.”
This recognition comes after years of collaboration between the IOC, the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC), the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) and the local sports bodies. The NOC of Sudan was also praised for its key role in facilitating the establishment of a South Sudanese National Olympic Committee.
“We would like to thank the NOC of Sudan who has been a real partner and friend,” stated President Bach. “On behalf of the entire Olympic Movement, I would like to thank you for your great cooperation with your South Sudanese neighbours. It is an example of what sport can do and demonstrates also what autonomy of sport from politics really means because despite political dispute, you have worked together with your friends and neighbours and have made this recognition possible.”

President Lt. Gen Wilson Deng Kuoirot said. “It is with a deep sense of honour and humility that we receive the privilege of being accepted into the worldwide family of the Olympic Movement.  Over the past few months our young country underwent tremendous challenges of internal armed conflict. However, we firmly believe that this historic day of our acceptance into the IOC will be a milestone and a great vehicle for promoting repatriation, national unity, peace-building and development of our young nation. It will also give great hope and inspiration to the youth of the country.”
He added: “We will arm our young people with sport, and not with guns.”
The South Sudan NOC met the requirements for recognition as outlined in the Olympic Charter. These include the sport and technical requirements as well as the definition of “country” as defined in Rule 30.1 – “an independent State recognised by the international community.”
It has taken some time for the sports structures to be established in South Sudan, which became an independent country on 9 July 2011 and shortly thereafter, a UN Member State on 14 July 2011. At present, it counts seven Olympic sports federations.
While the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro next summer will permit South Sudanese athletes to compete for the first time under their nation’s flag, it will not be the first time that they have competed in the Olympic Games. At London 2012, marathon runner and refugee from South Sudan, Guor Marial, was exceptionally authorised to compete as an Independent Olympic Athlete under the Olympic flag.  Similarly, ahead of the Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing last year, a promising young 400m runner from South Sudan, Margret Rumat Rumar Hassan, was exceptionally provided with a place in athletics and competed as an Independent Olympic Athlete. Both athletes are presently training and setting their sights on Rio 2016.
Watch Margret’s story from war zone to international spotlight here.

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IOC awards 2018-2024 broadcast rights in Asia

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29/07/2015

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) today announced that Dentsu Inc. (Dentsu) has been awarded the exclusive broadcast rights in 22 countries in Asia for the XXIII Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018, and the Games of the XXXII Olympiad Tokyo 2020, as well as the Olympic Games in 2022 and 2024, the host cities of which have yet to be elected.

The agreement means Dentsu will continue as the exclusive gatekeeper for broadcast rights (all languages; all media platforms) in Afghanistan Brunei, Cambodia, Chinese Taipei, East Timor, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.
IOC President Thomas Bach said: “This agreement ensures Olympic broadcast coverage for fans across the region, including on free-to-air television. Having begun our broadcast relationship with Dentsu at the Olympic Winter Games Sochi 2014, I am pleased we will continue through to 2024.”
Kiyoshi Nakamura, Executive Officer of Dentsu said: "Following the acquisition of the broadcast rights for the 2014 and 2016 Olympic Games and Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, we are delighted to strengthen the ongoing relationship between the IOC and Dentsu through the distribution of the broadcast and exhibition rights for all the Olympic Games until 2024. We are dedicated to contributing to the long-term development of the Olympic Movement and to deliver the excitement of the Olympics to the fans in these Asian countries and territories.”
IOC Vice-President Zaiqing Yu, Delegate IOC Member for Broadcast Rights in Asia, said: “Dentsu has a good understanding of the region’s commercial and broadcast environment, and their expertise and insight will help the Olympic Movement develop its presence and ensure excellent Olympic broadcast coverage of future Games.”
Dentsu is the Olympic broadcast partner in the region for the Olympic Games Rio 2016:
http://www.olympic.org/news/ioc-awards-broadcast-rights-in-17-asian-countries-for-sochi-2014-and-rio-2016/207486
http://www.olympic.org/news/ioc-awards-2014-16-broadcast-rights-in-central-asia/202197

Teens Get Active with Olympic Moves

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

©NOC*NSF

12/06/2015

On 5 June, 6,000 teenagers from 200 schools across the Netherlands came together to participate in the final of the “Olympic Moves” programme. Held in the Olympic Stadium in Amsterdam, the participants competed in 14 sports disciplines.

Olympic Moves is the result of a partnership between Worldwide TOP Partner Coca-Cola, the IOC and NOC*NSF. It is the largest school sports programme in the Netherlands, and through a combination of sport, music and entertainment, it encourages young people...etcthe largest school sports programme in the Netherlands, and through a combination of sport, music and entertainment, it encourages young people to get active and contributes to their development. The final was the culmination of months of training and competition.
NOC*NSF General Manager Mr Gerard Dielessen said: “Via Olympic Moves, we want to reach and inspire pupils of secondary schools with the power of sports and actively carry out the Olympic values of ‘excellence, ‘respect’ and ‘friendship’. Exercising together offers young people lots of fun, enthusiasm and satisfaction, and contributes to their personal development. We win with sport.”
This year, Olympic Moves was promoted widely across social media, including Facebook, and became a trending topic on Twitter, with 2.5 million impressions.

For over 10 years, Olympic Moves has been encouraging change and getting over 150,000 students a year physically active. To see further examples of how Olympic Moves has been used as a powerful tool to engage young people, see: http://www.olympic.org/news/olympic-moves-programme-inspiring-change/244316.
The NOC*NSF and Coca-Cola are already planning to further develop the next phase of the Olympic Moves project in the Netherlands, including bringing in exciting new concepts. The IOC and TOP Partner Coca-Cola are looking to develop the programme internationally, working with other National Olympic Committees in the future.

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IOC President meets athletes - sees first competitions, after attending spectacular European Games opening ceremony

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©IOC/Ian Jones (2) / Getty (2)

13/06/2015

President Bach attended the first competitions on the opening day of the European Games in Baku.  During the day he met athletes from shooting, triathlon, karate and wrestling.

President Bach began the day by visiting the brand new Baku shooting centre, which will go on to host the ISSF World Cup next year and the European Championships the year after. The President went on to see the Women's Triathlon. After the competition, he met the winner and London 2012 gold medallist, Swiss athlete Nicola Spirig.
Later the President also visited Karate and Wrestling.
The packed day of competition followed the opening ceremony, which included a surprise appearance by Lady Gaga.

"This was a spectacular opening ceremony full of symbolism and history. It showed how sport can unite people and build bridges," he said.
"We saw Russian athletes marching alongside Ukrainians. We saw Serbian and Kosovan teams marching at the opening ceremony, and we saw an Armenian team alongside their hosts from Azerbaijan. This is the power of sport to bring people together regardless of background, belief or nationality. This is something that sport can do, and maybe something that only sport can do," he added.

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Designers around the world compete for the Medal Design Competition

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26/05/2015

From Canada to Colombia, Argentina to Indonesia, creative designers from around the world have submitted their entries for the International Olympic Committee’s highly coveted Medal Design Competition prize for the forthcoming Lillehammer 2016 Winter Youth Olympic Games. 

To date, entries have been received from over 40 countries, with the youngest candidate aged just 10 years old to the oldest at 52. 
The competition closes in one week’s time on 1 June and with the high standard of entries it is set to be one of the most hotly contested Medal Design Competitions to date since the inaugural Singapore 2010 YOG.
A judging panel including Olympians and Young Ambassadors and Young Reporters from various editions of the Youth Olympic Games will select the winning design and two-runners-up, and results will be announced at the end of June.  The winning design will then feature on the face of the gold, silver and bronze medals awarded in Lillehammer from 12-21 February 2016. 
The winning designer will win a trip to Lillehammer 2016 which includes tickets to the opening ceremony, as well as a full collection of medals featuring their design.
For more information visit www.medaldesigncompetition.com