PRESIDENT BACH JOINED MEMBERS OF THE REFUGEE OLYMPIC TEAM (ROT) TODAY AT THE UNITED NATIONS IN GENEVA. SITTING ALONGSIDE TEGLA LOROUPE, THE THREE-TIME OLYMPIAN AND CHEF DE MISSION OF THE ROT FROM KENYA, AND 800M RUNNER ROSE LOKONYEN, HE PARTICIPATED IN A MEETING THAT TOOK PLACE DURING THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL.
President Bach joined members of the Refugee Olympic Team (ROT) today at the United Nations in Geneva. Sitting alongside Tegla Loroupe, the three-time Olympian and Chef de Mission of the ROT from Kenya, and 800m runner Rose Lokonyen, he participated in a meeting that took place during the UN Human Rights Council.
IOC
Joined by IOC Honorary President Jacques Rogge, who is the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Youth Refugees and Sport, President Bach told the meeting that the Refugee Olympic Team at the Olympic Games Rio 2016 “had provided a much needed opportunity for the world to think differently about refugees and migrants in the light of the current crises and beyond that. Their participation was proof that refugees are an enrichment to society, just as they are an enrichment to our Olympic family.”
The side event was organised by the Permanent Mission of Greece to the United Nations Office in Geneva with the IOC and looked at “sport and integration” and “the promotion of human rights for refugees and migrants”.
IOC
ROT member Rose Lokonyen from South Sudan, who was the ROT flag bearer, told the audience that it had been a dream come true when she joined the ROT in Rio de Janeiro: “The creation of the Refugee Olympic Team by IOC President Thomas Bach gave us hope. He gave us an opportunity, and he gave us the chance to live a dream,” she said. “Never could I have imagined that sport could take me so far. But through a lot of hard work, hours of training and great support and guidance from the Tegla Loroupe Foundation, and Tegla herself, we achieved great success.”
In 2003, Tegla Loroupe founded the Tegla Loroupe Peace Foundation (TLPF). It is a Peace and Development organisation that promotes peaceful co-existence and socio-economic development of poor and marginalised individuals and communities in Northern Kenya and the Greater Horn of Africa Region. Six out of the ten members of the ROT came from the programmes Tegla Loroupe is organising in Kenya. “Every day we use sport as a tool to provide a platform for dialogue among young people and communities in conflict,” she said.
IOC
IOC Honorary President Rogge pointed out that more than 50 per cent of the world’s 60 million refugees and displaced persons are children and youth: “I salute here the work of UNHCR and many other organisations that recognise the importance of sport as an effective tool to engage youth. It enables us to tackle a number of key issues ranging from protection, gender-based violence, and the empowerment of girls, to education, health, trauma recovery and peace-building.”
The attendees included Mr Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees; Ms Kelly Clements, UN Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees; Ms Kate Gilmore, UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights; and Ms Laura Thomson, Deputy Director General of the International Organisation for Migration.
KALYAN KUMAR MAHATA
The true appellation of Apu. A Creative Commons license. IOC
THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE (IOC) HAS CONVENED AN OLYMPIC SUMMIT ON 8 OCTOBER 2016 IN LAUSANNE.
Discussions will focus on the protection of clean athletes and, more specifically, on a review of the WADA anti-doping system. The Olympic Summit will discuss some principles for a more robust, more efficient and more independent worldwide anti-doping system. This will include a reinforcement of the request issued by the Olympic Summit on 17 October 2015 to make the entire anti-doping system independent from sports organisations.
The Olympic Summit will also discuss a first debrief on the success of the Olympic Games Rio 2016.
The Olympic Summit involves leading representatives of the Olympic Movement. It forms part of the ongoing dialogue and consultation on the main topics of interest and concern to the Olympic Movement.
List of Invitees:
IOC President
IOC Vice-Presidents
IOC Executive Board Members representing IFs and Athletes
International Federations
President of FIFA
President of the FIG
President of FINA
President of the IAAF
President of the FIS
President of the IBSF
Recognised organisations
President of ANOC
President of the AIOWF
President of ASOIF
National Olympic Committees
President of the Chinese Olympic Committee
President of the Russian Olympic Committee
President of the United States Olympic Committee
Invited participants related to the topic of the fight against doping
President of WADA
President of SportAccord
President of the IPC
Time (local time) Meetings / Events
9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Olympic Summit (closed to media)
2.30 p.m. IOC President’s press conference via teleconference only
Media arrangements:
Please note that there will be NO media facilities at the Lausanne Palace Hotel, where the meeting is taking place.
Media representatives will have the possibility to take part in a teleconference with the IOC President and ask their questions on this occasion.
Please pre-register here to receive a dedicated dial-in number, a passcode and a personal pin for quicker and easier access to the conference. Please be aware that the usual passcode cannot be used for this conference.
Please check regularly @iocmedia, where we will send updates on the timing of the press conference if necessary.
A Video News Release (VNR) with some general shots of the meeting room and comments from the IOC President will also be made available to broadcasters via the IOC Newsroom on that day.
Forum assesses the implementation of Olympic Agenda 2020 recommendations for
athletes
The 7th IOC International Athletes’ Forum came to a close in Lausanne on
Saturday with a set of recommendations aimed empowering Athletes’ Commissions at
all levels.
The Forum warmly welcomed Olympic Agenda 2020, particularly the
athlete-related recommendations.
The Athletes’ Forum recommendations included:
· Empowering athletes through better communication and provision of
information. Fully integrating all athletes’ communications into the Olympic
Channel.
· To make all International Federations establish athletes’
commissions in accordance with the relevant IOC guidelines.
· The Court of Arbitration for Sport to develop and educate athlete
arbitrators.
IOC President Thomas Bach, himself an Olympic fencing champion, also joined
the Athletes’ Forum, taking part in Q&A sessions with the athletes on Friday
and Saturday. In his closing remarks, he praised those present for their hard
work and welcomed their recommendations.
“These are a great set of recommendations that underline the commitment of
the IOC to put athletes at the heart of the Olympic Movement,” he said. Many of
the recommendations of Olympic Agenda 2020 were proposed by the IOC Athletes’
Commission, and will further strengthen their role. As one of the founding
members of the IOC Athletes’ Commission in 1981 it is great for me to see the
progress made from those first steps until today, where the athletes play a
fundamental role in decision-making.”
Chair of the IOC Athletes’ Commission Claudia Bokel thanked her fellow
athletes for their active engagement and constructive discussions.
“Athletes were central to the framing of many of the recommendations of
Olympic Agenda 2020. We are fully engaged in their implementation. This
Athletes’ Forum was extremely productive and a great chance to exchange ideas;
and we will continue to suggest new ways that athletes can remain at the very
heart of the Olympic Movement,” said Claudia Bokel.
The full set of recommendations resulting from these discussions will be
presented to the IOC Executive Board in December.
The three-day Forum, which takes place every two years, saw the participation
of over 100 athletes from 40 countries with 100 Olympic medals and 200 Olympic
appearances between them. They included Athletes’ Commission representatives
from the IOC, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), International
Federations, Continental Associations and, for the first time, athlete
representatives from the Organising Committees for the Olympic Games.
The plenary sessions and panel discussions covered a number of topics
concerning athletes – from effective leadership and Athletes’ Commission
management best practices to athletes’ services and welfare, communication and
experiences during Games time and beyond.
The Forum also included a practical session on the IOC’s latest initiatives
for athletes, including the Olympic Athletes’ Hub and Integrity e-learning
programme. The participants were given the exclusive opportunity to test drive
and share first-hand their feedback on these athlete-centred platforms prior to
their launch in early 2016 ahead of the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Athletes are at the heart of the Olympic Movement, and their voice is central
to the IOC’s decision-making. Olympic Agenda 2020 reiterated the IOC’s
commitment to strengthening support for athletes through a series of
recommendations currently being implemented.
Brazil’s beautiful coastline is well
known for its stunning scenery, and it is also synonymous with beach
volleyball, with games being played out in the shadows of stunning
natural backdrops along the length of the country.
Now, as the country prepares to host the Olympic Games in 2016, both
the men and women’s teams will feel they are better placed than ever to
succeed.
One thing is for sure, all of the tools are in place for the country
to continue exerting a major influence on the sport they embraced with
such gusto in the 1980s.
Competitors and spectators in Rio next summer can certainly expect
the host nation to put on a show worthy of this scintillating sport as
it returns to the Olympic stage.
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.
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).
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.
