INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE

★ The Sports Examiner: Examining the significant competitive, economic, and political dynamics influencing elite sports and the Olympic Movement.★

★ To receive the daily Sports Examiner Recap via e-mail: register here! ★

≡ A WIDER VIEW ≡

The International Olympic Committee convened its 13th Olympic Summit in Lausanne, assembling the heads of the IOC, International Federations, and National Olympic Committees.

In contrast to some previous Summits that established new stances for the Olympic Movement, this time there wasn’t much of importance in the concluding “Communique.”

Many of the acknowledgments regarding Paris 2024 echoed the statements made by IOC President Thomas Bach (GER) during his press conference following the IOC Executive Board meeting in Lausanne the previous week. Sure, it was impressive in many ways.

Andrew Parsons (BRA), President of the International Paralympic Committee, expressed similar excitement about the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, deeming it “the most remarkable Paralympic Games ever in terms of sporting performance, venues, ambiance, and outreach.”

He also highlighted the improved collaboration with the Paris organizing committee, thanks to the expanded cooperation agreement signed with the IOC in 2018.

Reiterated were Bach’s remarks from the Executive Board meeting concerning the IOC’s impressive economic outlook, the new Olympic Esports Games, the IOC’s Artificial Intelligence Initiative, and the ongoing athlete protection measures.

There were engaging discussions on the current state of the anti-doping movement and the World Anti-Doping Agency, which included:

● “The Summit endorsed the candidacy of Witold Banka and Yang Yang for WADA President and Vice-President, emphasizing their significant accomplishments over the past six years, including governance reforms and their dedication to the recommendations of the Cottier Report.”

Banka (from Poland) and Yang (from China) have yet to have their candidacies publicly announced, as WADA’s call for nominations was made on December 2 and will remain open until January 31, 2025.

Nevertheless, the IOC is supporting them, regardless of other candidates. Recall that the IOC included a clause in the Host City Contract for the Salt Lake City 2034 Olympic Winter Games in July, permitting the cancellation of the hosting award if:

“the Host Country is deemed ineligible to host or co-host and/or to be granted the right to host or co-host the Games under the World Anti-Doping Code or if, in any way, the supreme authority of the World Anti-Doping Agency in the fight against doping is not fully upheld or if the enforcement of the World Anti-Doping Code is obstructed or undermined.”

This reinforces WADA’s backing in its current form.

● “The Summit expressed concern regarding the failure of certain governments to meet funding commitments for WADA. The fulfillment of these commitments is crucial for a sustained and coordinated global anti-doping initiative.”

This merely indicates that the IOC is mindful of the payment issues from Russia and the U.S. regarding 2024, albeit for different reasons. But it is indeed aware.

The U.S. had representation at the Summit, with U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee President Gene Sykes present. Additionally, all seven candidates for the IOC Presidency were invited as guests.

¶

★ Get our exclusive, weekday TSX Recap via e-mail by clicking here.
★ Encourage a friend to subscribe to the TSX Recap by clicking here.
★ Please think about making a donation here to help sustain this site.

For our updated, 885-event International Sports Calendar for the remainder of 2024, 2025 and beyond, organized by date and sport, click here!