IOC launches Consultants Register for Olympic Games 2024 Bid Process

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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

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©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

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©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.

First International Forum for Sports Integrity adopts roadmap for future action to protect clean athletes

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©IOC/Christophe Moratal (2)

13/04/2015

IOC launches whistle-blower hotline for competition manipulation and other ethical issues that threaten the integrity of sport 

Another Olympic Agenda 2020 recommendation was implemented today when the International Forum for Sports Integrity (IFSI) met for the first time in Lausanne at the initiative of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).  
Coinciding with today’s forum, the IOC launched its new Integrity and Compliance Hotline, a new reporting mechanism for potential cases of competition manipulation as well as other violations of the integrity of sport. The web-based hotline is open to athletes, coaches, referees and the public, and guarantees 100 per cent anonymity. Anyone can report suspicious approaches or activities related to competition manipulation and/or infringements of the IOC Code of Ethics or other matters – including financial misconduct or other legal, regulatory and ethical breaches – over which the IOC has jurisdiction. 
The IFSI, a successor to the Founding Working Group on the Fight Against Irregular and Illegal Betting in Sport, reviewed what has been delivered and prepared a roadmap for future action aimed at strengthening and coordinating all activities to protect clean athletes from match-fixing, manipulation of competitions and related corruption.
 
The Forum called on European and non-European governments to sign the Council of Europe Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions, which particularly ensures that domestic laws enable criminal investigations and sanctioning of the manipulation of sports competitions when it involves either coercive, corrupt or fraudulent practices. 
The meeting was chaired by IOC President Thomas Bach and included representatives from world governments, the Council of Europe, the European Union, INTERPOL, Europol, United Nations agencies, sports betting operators, Olympic Movement stakeholders and others.* The Forum is fully supported by the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC), Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) and Association of International Olympic Winter Sports Federations (AIOWF).
The measures adopted by the IFSI today are centred on three main themes:

• Education and Information;  
• Intelligence and Investigations; and
• Legislation and Regulation. 

As emphasised in Olympic Agenda 2020, the IOC’s strategic roadmap for the future of the Olympic Movement, the protection of clean athletes requires robust educational programmes. 
The IFSI today called for the proactive and preventive educational measures being taken at the international and national levels to be reproduced at the local level. Using elite athletes to act as role models in their communities was recommended as one way to do this. 
The role of governments in raising awareness and coordinating an integrated approach among police, public prosecutors and ministries of justice was also stressed.  
The protection of clean athletes also requires strong channels for the exchange of information and intelligence. These channels have been strengthened by the Council of Europe Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions and the IOC’s Integrity Betting Intelligence System (IBIS), the centralised system for exchange between the Olympic Movement, sports betting operators and regulators. 
The IFSI called for the creation of “national platforms” in line with those outlined in the Council of Europe Convention that would facilitate cooperation between all stakeholders.  Additionally, the IOC’s IBIS has to be integrated within this network of “national platforms”. 
It was agreed that the role of “sports integrity officers” should be defined and strengthened within sports organisations at all levels, including National Olympic Committees, International Federations and National Federations. 
A robust regulatory framework is also needed for the successful protection of clean athletes. To that end, the IFSI called on the Olympic Movement to develop global sports minimum standards (possibly in the form of a Code for the Olympic Movement) regarding the manipulation of competitions and related corruption.  
“In Olympic Agenda 2020 we stressed the need to protect clean athletes from match-fixing, manipulation of competitions and related corruption,” said the IOC President. “Today’s forum has brought all key players around the table to address this need and coordinate our action. We are pleased with the support we have received so far in this regard, in particular from the Council of Europe. We are intensifying our efforts to protect the integrity of sport and we ask that European and non-European governments sign the Council of Europe’s Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions and continue to work hand-in-hand with us.” 
Read IOC President Thomas Bach’s opening remarks here.
During his introductory remarks, Thorbjørn Jagland, Secretary General of the Council of Europe said: “The Council of Europe would like to thank the IOC for its support of the Convention on the Manipulation of Sports Competitions that was adopted last year. We also call on all governments to sign the Convention and join us in building a system that successfully safeguards clean athletes.” 
The IFSI forms part of Recommendation 16 of Olympic Agenda 2020, the IOC’s strategic roadmap for the future of the Olympic Movement. It is just one of the many measures, regarding the special fund of USD 20 million the IOC set up to protect clean athletes, which have already been implemented.  
A prevention programme for the fight against match-fixing and related corruption is under way in cooperation with INTERPOL and financed by the IOC. In addition, the IOC is in the process of implementing mandatory Integrity E-Learning for all athletes, officials and IOC/NOC staff prior to or during the Olympic Games. 
*Click here for a full list of participants.

IOC President launches festivities marking the IOC’s 100 years in Lausanne

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©IOC / Ian Jones

10/04/2015

Landmark study shows major impact the IOC has on the city, canton and country, with a contribution of over CHF 1 billion annually to the economy

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is today marking 100 years of its presence in Lausanne. On 10 April 1915, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Movement, decided in agreement with the City to establish the headquarters of the IOC in Lausanne.
One hundred years later, IOC President Thomas Bach, in the presence of the Swiss Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport, Ueli Maurer, Lausanne Mayor Daniel Brélaz and State Councillor Philippe Leuba, officially marked this significant anniversary and kicked off the celebrations that will take place throughout the year across the city.
©CIO
The day started at the Bois-de-Vaux cemetery, where the IOC President paid tribute to Pierre de Coubertin. “Pierre de Coubertin himself decided to establish the IOC in Lausanne. It was the right decision to take then and it still is now. One century later, the Olympic Movement continues to flourish in the city that Coubertin chose. Though we are already implementing the recommendations of Olympic Agenda 2020, it is certain that Coubertin, a visionary and reformer at heart, would have loved to take part in this new stage in the future of the Olympic Movement and offer us sage advice.”
©IOC / Ian Jones
The IOC President then held a press conference at The Olympic Museum, during which he unveiled the latest results of a study showing the impact of the IOC on the Lausanne region, the Canton of Vaud and Switzerland. The study shows that the IOC and the 45 International Sports Federations based in Switzerland have a yearly economic impact of CHF 1.07 billion for Switzerland, CHF 546 million for the Canton of Vaud and CHF 250 million for Lausanne. 
The study, commissioned by the IOC, the City of Lausanne and the Canton of Vaud, was conducted by the International Academy of Sports Science and Technology (AISTS), under the supervision of International Institute for Management Development (IMD) Professor Stéphane Garelli and Georgetown University Professor Jean-Jacques Dethier.
The full study can be downloaded at the following address: http://www.aists.org/impactstudy.
©CIO/Richard Juilliart
“The IOC enjoys a special relationship with Lausanne, and I am pleased to see that our presence here has prompted many International Federations to set up their headquarters in the Lausanne area and in other parts of Switzerland,” said President Thomas Bach. “With nearly CHF 3 million spent daily by the IOC and the international sports organisations, the impact on the local, regional and national economy is undeniable. Concretely, this means that every CHF 1 spent in Switzerland by sporting organisations generates CHF 1.55 for the local economy. The IOC is extremely pleased and proud of this contribution,” he added.
Covering the years 2008-2013, the AISTS study proposes a new approach as it is the first ever to include the direct economic impact, the indirect economic impact and the induced impact.
Among other striking figures, the study shows that the IOC and the international sports organisations employ 2,150 people in Switzerland and that they account for 32,000 business overnight stays per year.
“During these 100 years of common history, we wrote many important and fascinating chapters, and I am looking forward to the next one, which will see the consolidation of our headquarters in Lausanne,” President Thomas Bach said.
Indeed, the IOC decided last year to group together its administration – of 500 people – at a single location in Vidy, thus guaranteeing many jobs in Lausanne. For the IOC, it is a considerable investment – a total amount of CHF 200 million.

©IOC / Ian Jones
The concept developed by Danish architectural firm 3XN will offer the region a symbolic building meeting the highest demands in terms of sustainable development. It also aims to encourage integration with the environmental and historical heritage as well as with the local population. “At a time when we are speaking about the future of our Movement with Olympic Agenda 2020, the new headquarters is a bridge between the roots of the IOC in Lausanne and our vision for the future,” underlined the IOC President.
For more information on the consolidation of the IOC headquarters, please click here.
With the consolidation of its headquarters, the IOC is further establishing itself in Lausanne for another 100 years. Indeed, the City of Lausanne has accepted to grant the IOC a lease until 2115.
In 2014, the IOC inaugurated its brand new Olympic Museum, which has since welcomed over 260,000 visitors.
©CIO/Christophe Moratal
The Olympic Museum will also pay tribute to the joint history of the IOC and Lausanne with the Centenary Exhibition. Inaugurated this morning by the IOC President, the exhibition, set up on the “Helvétie” boat on the quai d’Ouchy until 15 October, retraces the various chapters of this union between the IOC and the City of Lausanne.
In the coming months, the local population will have the opportunity to join the centenary celebrations by taking part in a number of events including:
- 10 April – 15 October: A photo exhibition at landmark sites in Lausanne (Casino Montbenon, Villa Mon-Repos, the IOC headquarters in Vidy, the House of International Sport (MSI), Lausanne train station and The Olympic Museum)
-  26 June: Olympic Day Run. Long and short race: both will go past Olympic landmarks in the city and finish at the Pierre de Coubertin Stadium.
- 27-28 June: Open Day at the IOC headquarters, The Olympic Museum, Villa Mon-Repos and other Olympic locations in Lausanne.
- 12-15 October: Olympic Week, with sports activities for children and teenagers in Lausanne.

IOC President attends stone-laying at World Archery Excellence Centre

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©IOC/Ian Jones (3)

09/04/2015

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach today joined World Archery President and IOC Executive Board Member Uğur Erdener in laying the foundation stone at the World Archery Excellence Centre in Lausanne.

The new facility will eventually welcome elite and novice athletes, both local and international, while doubling as a research and educational hub.



“Archery is one of the most ancient sports, but it has also been an innovator throughout its history and once more it is shown here at this centre”, said the IOC President at today’s ceremony. “This centre will be a great tool to help communicate Olympic values to the athletes, coaches and other users of this facility.”

Dr Erdener took the opportunity to thank the city of Lausanne, Canton of Vaud and the Swiss federal authorities for the excellent partnership they have enjoyed over the years and in working together to realise the new centre.

“We have great ambitions and we want always to be an innovator”, Erdener said, before underlining the fact that the facility would not only be home to elite athletes but also to the general public. “The users of the centre will be athletes, coaches, judges and many other people who want to discover our sport.” 

The laying of the first stone comes at a historic moment for the Olympic Movement in Switzerland, and in Lausanne in particular. Tomorrow, 10 April, marks one hundred years since the IOC moved its headquarters to Lausanne.

 

In addition to the IOC, Switzerland currently houses 45 International Federations, and the World Archery Excellence Centre is another concrete illustration of how the Olympic Movement and the local authorities have worked together in partnership.

CDEP 2015 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IIMC - THE OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPH

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THE INAUGURAL DAY PHOTO SESSION AT THE LAWN

PHOTOGRAPH : CDEP 2015  IIM-CALCUTTA.