2015 ICF World Championships Slalom
 
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2
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K1M
CZ J. PRSKAVEC
PL M. POLACZYK
US M. SMOLEN
K1W
CZ K. KUDEJOVA
DE R. FUNK
DE M. PFEIFER
C1M
GB D. FLORENCE
SI B. SAVSEK
GB R. WESTLEY
C1W
AU J. FOX
CZ K. HOSKOVA
ES N. VILARRUBLA
C2
DE ANTON/BENZIEN
FR PICCO/BISO
FR KLAUSS/PECHE

IOC President Thomas Bach and Jessica Fox discuss changes to the Olympic Games

Olympic Agenda 2020: Strategic roadmap for the future of the Olympic Movement unveiled

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IOC President Thomas Bach and Jessica Fox (Olympic silver medallist canoe slalom; YOG gold medallist; YOG Young Ambassador).

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach today revealed the 40 proposals that make up Olympic Agenda 2020, a strategic roadmap for the future of the Olympic Movement, which will be discussed and voted on by the full IOC membership at the 127th IOC Session this 8 and 9 December in Monaco.

During the public launch of the recommendations at The Olympic Museum in Lausanne, President Bach called the 20+20 proposals “the culmination of a year of open, transparent and widespread debate and discussion, which had already begun in mid-2013.”

“These 40 recommendations are like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle,” he added. “When you put them together, a picture emerges that shows the IOC safeguarding the uniqueness of the Olympic Games and strengthening sport in society.”

The IOC President first presented the recommendations to a round table of athletes, many of whom actively contributed to the Olympic Agenda 2020 process. The discussion included a number of medal-winning Olympians.*

Some of the key areas addressed by the recommendations are:

  • Changes to the bidding process (Recommendation 1), with a new philosophy to invite potential candidate cities to present a project that fits their sporting, economic, social and environmental long-term planning needs. Shaping it more as an invitation and introducing an “invitation phase” – during which cities considering a bid will be advised about the opportunities this new procedure offers, in particular in regard to legacy and sustainability. The organisation of sports and events outside the host city and even, in exceptional cases, outside the host country could also be allowed, always respecting the integrity of the Olympic Village.
  • Reducing costs for bidding (Recommendation 3), by decreasing the number of presentations that are allowed and providing a significant financial contribution from the IOC. At the same time emphasising that the sustainability of a bid must be taken into consideration right from the beginning.
  • Move from a sport-based to an event-based programme (Recommendation10). Create limits on accreditation for athletes, coaches and other athlete support staff to ensure that the Games do not grow bigger. Allowing more than 28 sports to be on the programme while respecting these limits.
  • Strengthen the 6th Fundamental Principle of Olympism (Recommendation 14). The IOC to include non-discrimination on sexual orientation in the 6th Fundamental Principle of Olympism in the Olympic Charter.
  • Launch of an Olympic TV Channel (Recommendation 19) to provide a platform for sports and athletes beyond the Olympic Games period, 365 days a year. To fully connect with the digital age and connect with young people on their terms. It will be a worldwide platform and an opportunity to spread Olympic values as well as highlighting the IOC’s many cultural and humanitarian projects. Candidate cities may also be given exposure during the bidding phase.
  • Adapting and further strengthening the principles of good governance and ethics to changing demands. Ensuring compliance with the Basic Universal Principles of Good Governance (Recommendation 27) and transparency of accounts (Recommendation 29), with the IOC’s financial statements to be prepared and audited according to the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) even when not legally required. Strengthening the independence of the IOC Ethics Commission (Recommendation 30), with the chair and members of the Commission to be elected by the IOC Session. The IOC will also create the position of compliance officer (Recommendation 31) to advise IOC members, staff, NOCs and IFs with regard to compliance.

The athletes remain at the centre of all 40 of the proposals, with the protection of the clean athletes being at the heart of the IOC’s philosophy. The central importance of the “athletes’ experience” will be introduced into the evaluation criteria with no compromise on the field of play for athletes, and the paramount importance of the Olympic Village.

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The athletes who attended the round table were:

  • Claudia Bokel – Germany – Fencing – Olympic silver medallist; IOC member; Chair of the IOC Athletes’ Commission
  • Vincent Defrasne – France – Biathlon – Olympic gold medallist and two-time bronze medallist; Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Athlete Role Model
  • Susana Feitor – Portugal – Racewalking – Competed in five editions of the Olympic Games; Athletes’ Commission and IOC Athletes’ Career Programme Outreach trainer
  • Jessica Fox – Australia – Canoeing – Olympic silver medallist; YOG gold medallist; YOG Young Ambassador
  • Jade Jones – Great Britain – Taekwondo – Olympic gold medallist; YOG gold medallist
  • Stéphane Lambiel – Switzerland – Figure skating – silver medallist; YOG Athlete Role Model; Olympic silver medallist
  • Marsha Marescia – South Africa – Hockey – Three-time Olympian
  • Kaveh Mehrabi – Iran – Badminton – Olympian at the 2008 Beijing Games – WADA Athlete Committee
  • Koji Murofushi – Japan – Hammer throw – Olympic gold and silver medallist; Sports Director, Tokyo 2020
  • Maria Höfl-Riesch – Germany – Skiing – Three-time Olympic gold medallist and silver medallist
  • Jean-Michel Saive – Belgium – Table tennis – Seven-time Olympian; Chair, EOC Athletes’ Commission

Download Olympic Agenda 2020