Bach received by the President of the Republic Mattarella together with the Italian sport leaders
- THE IOC PRESIDENT AT QUIRINALE
The IOC President Thomas Bach was received this morning at the Quirinale by the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella. The meeting was attended by the President of the Italian National Olympic Committee Giovanni Malagò, Secretary General Carlo Mornati, Director-General of the International Olympic Committee Christophe De Kepper, Vice President Juan Antonio Samaranch jr., Italian IOC members Franco Carraro, Mario Pescante, and Ivo Ferriani. During the private discussion when various topics related to sporting events were discussed, the Head of State was presented by Bach with a medal from the recent 2018 PyeongChang Games. At the end of the meeting, President Bach met the media in the Honor Hall of INOC before flying - together with Malagò and their respective staff - to Spain to attend the Assembly of European Olympic Committees, scheduled in Marbella from 9 to 10 November. (Quirinale photo)
Sport embraces Mario Pescante. The thanks of Bach and Malagò: an example for the Olympic movement
- 80 YEARS OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND EMOTIONS
An evening of emotions and memories. Of sport, declared in its most noble and authentic meaning, intertwined with 5 circles of history and tradition. It was the night of Mario Pescante, who greeted the achievement of his 80 years and the end of his mandate as a IOC member (from January he will take on the honorary position) with a party that brought together the leaders of the international and Italian competitive sports as protagonists, the champions of yesterday and today, the managers, the technicians, the old friends (Foto Mezzelani-GMT). Approximately 300 guests celebrated a man who has crossed the decades upholding the passion for the world of which he has been a proud standard bearer, conveying the message in the most concealed and difficult corners, together in the most important venues and always emblazoned with the same, stubborn and capable action.
To pay homage to him, among others, a large delegation of the International Olympic Committee, of which Pescante was also Deputy Vice President until 2012, led by IOC President Thomas Bach, and by the Honorary President Jacques Rogge, the number one of the Association of the national Olympic committees (Anoc), Sheikh Fahad Al-Sabah, the INOCs of today and yesterday, from Malagò to Petrucci to Carraro, Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, president of the Pontifical Council for Culture, the mayors of Milan and Cortina Giuseppe Sala and Gianpietro Ghedina, Gianni Letta, the General Director of the Ryder Cup Rome 2022 Gianpaolo Montali, the President of Credito Sportivo Andrea Abodi, Federal Presidents and many Olympic athletes and prominent athletes of the past, including the current Secretary General of INOC Carlo Mornati, Juri Chechi, Carlo Molfetta, Diana Bianchedi, and Antonio Rossi, as well as managers and politicians. During his 25-year tenure at the IOC, Pescante distinguished himself through his work as the Permanent Observatory to the United Nations, collecting important diplomatic successes with respect to world crises, most recently the historic peace between the two Koreas on the occasion of the Olympics winters of Pyeongchang 2018. After the ritual greetings, the gala dinner was held at tables that could not fail to take into account the name of the Olympic Games editions, from 1896 to 2016.
In the heart of the Olympic Stadium, where the sacred meaning of the Games can forever be breathed in, the studded ribbon of an endless career, certainly special, was re-wrapped. "This is my party - confided Pescante - it's a beautiful day, and there are many friends who have come a long way to be with me. Athletes, managers, friends. I haven’t concluded my story yet, but I think it's a nice achievement. I'm happy and I have to say that I almost feel like starting over”.
The first speech closing the celebration was the one from Giovanni Malagò, INOC President "In Buenos Aires I received the baton of Mario, he made history. He is a guiding light for us and for the Italian sport in the world Thanks to managers like him Italy is a top class excellence and a unique model in the world. I always thought him as an older brother, admiring him for the credibility tribute to him all through the time”.
Gianni Letta’ praises are full of anecdotes and quotations: "Mario embodies the values of our own land. He knew how to weave the values of the city of Avezzano with those of sport, he always lived with passion, respect and courage. He is a man of peace and was unanimously recognized in the world, even as a representative of the IOC in the UN where he battled to promote peace in the world. As a commissioner of Turin 2006, he allowed Italy to respect the commitment made for the Games, creating a miracle and a great organizational masterpiece. He has always operated in respect of the autonomy of sport from politics. The principle that we claim: there must never be influences coming from politics. A concept to keep in mind always, yesterday, today and tomorrow”.
The thoughts of Cardinal Ravasi are also significant: "Religion often intertwines with the game, there are many points of contact. All the results are obtained through the practice of asceticism, which means training with determination and talent. Mario was an outstanding example for sport, he put passion and a lot of skill into it and I am convinced that his 'flight' will not end here".
Finally, Thomas Bach head of the International Olympic Committee dedicated sincere and moving thoughts to his friend Pescante: “Mario has and shall keep giving a most precious contribution to the Olympic movement. He has a great heart and unshakable values. He made real effective Olympic ideals such as friendship, loyalty, peace and brotherhood. By his mettle and enthusiasm he is still a young man. We often shared our opinions although sometimes diverging, but he kept always loyal to me and supported me, also on my election as IOC President. He has made extraordinary things happen at ONU, spoke many languages, yet always using his heart, and that made the difference. Best wishes Mario, I see no limits in your future”.
Bach meets with Giorgetti and the Italian sport leaders Private audience with Mattarella tomorrow
- THE VISIT OF IOC'S PRESIDENT
The IOC in Rome for 48 hours of high institutional profile. The President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach, together with the Director-General Christophe De Kepper and Vice President Juan Antonio Samaranch jr., arrived in the afternoon at Foro Italico to begin "two days" of appointments, opened by greeting the INOC President Giovanni Malagò, Secretary General Carlo Mornati, Vice Presidents Franco Chimenti and Alessandra Sensini, and the Italian IOC members Franco Carraro, Mario Pescante, and Ivo Ferriani. (Photo Mezzelai-GMT Sport).
The IOC delegation, together with the Italian sport leaders traveled subsequently to Palazzo Chigi for a meeting with the Italian Under Secretary at the Presidency of the Council of Ministers in charge of sport Giancarlo Giorgetti. The day will end with celebrations organized at the Olympic Stadium for Mario Pescante, at the end of his mandate as an effective CIO member in the year in which he has celebrated his 80th birthday. Pescante has been appointed an honorary member of the International Olympic Committee.
Finally, tomorrow morning, Bach - with the delegation of the biggest international sports organization - will be received in private audience by the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, before flying with Malagò, and the respective staff, to Malaga to attend the European Olympic Committee Assembly scheduled in Marbella from 9 to 10 November.
Milan-Cortina 2026 bid, first technical visit of the IOC
- 2026 WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES
The technical visit of the delegation of the International Olympic Committee began yesterday in the places indicated in the Milan Cortina bid with respect to the 2026 Winter Olympic Games.
The works are managed by Diana Bianchedi, general coordinator of the bid committee, with the participation of institutional representatives of the cities and regions involved in the bid.
During the tour, which will end tomorrow, some of the premises indicated in the bid will be visited and subsequently evaluated. This is the first formal step after approval of the IOC candidacy, approved during the 133rd session hosted in Buenos Aires.
Strong field of Candidate Cities Milan-Cortina, Calgary and Stockholm
- OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES 2026
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session today invited Calgary (Canada), Milan/Cortina d’Ampezzo (Italy) and Stockholm (Sweden) to become Candidate Cities for the Olympic Winter Games 2026, on its final day of meetings in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The decision by the IOC Session marked the beginning of the shortened formal Candidature Stage, during which the Cities will continue to work closely with the IOC to develop their best possible Games plan, in line with Olympic Agenda 2020/New Norm. The Candidates will submit a single Candidature File in January 2019, as part of a streamlined process which reduces the cost and complexity for the Cities.
The IOC Members approved the recommendation of the IOC Executive Board (EB), which was based on the report by the Olympic Winter Games Working Group 2026. This Group had assessed the feasibility of the Interested Cities in the Dialogue Stage.
IOC President Thomas Bach said: “We are very pleased with the quality of the candidatures, and look forward to extending our collaboration with the Cities and the respective National Olympic Committees. It was encouraging to see the impact of Olympic Agenda 2020/New Norm, with an average reduction of 15 per cent in their operating budgets compared to past Candidature Processes, and an increase from 60 to 80 per cent of existing venues being used. We will continue to tailor our approach to the specific needs and objectives of each candidate, ensuring that the Olympic Winter Games 2026 can adapt to support their ambitions and vision for the future.”
IOC Vice-President and Chair of the Working Group 2026 Juan Antonio Samaranch added: “We have worked closely with the Interested Cities, providing our expertise and knowledge and giving them the flexibility to build projects that are aligned with their long-term development plans and will bring lasting legacies. We are excited to engage in such close collaboration with these cities.”
An Evaluation Commission will be appointed by the IOC, and will travel to the cities in March and April 2019. The Commission will then publish a report in June 2019, prior to the election of the host city at the 134th IOC Session.
In agreement with the three Candidate Cities, this Session will be moved from Milan, Italy, to Lausanne, Switzerland, where the IOC membership was already scheduled to convene in June 2019, for the Candidate City Briefing for the Olympic Winter Games 2026. This change ensures compliance with Rule 33 of the Olympic Charter, which states that the election cannot be held in a country which has a candidate for the Games concerned.
IOC elected Giovanni Malagò as new member
- IN BUENOS AIRES
Today, during the IOC Session in Buenos Aires, Argentina, nine new International Olympic Committee (IOC) Members were elected, three re-elected after eight years of membership and four finishing their mandate will become IOC Honorary Members.
Five new individual Members (three women and two men) and four representatives of the constituents of the Olympic Movement were elected, following a proposal by the IOC Executive Board in July 2018.
Individual Members
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Daina Gudzineviciute (Lithuania), President of the Lithuanian Olympic Committee and five-time Olympian.
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Felicite Rwemarika (Rwanda), First Vice-President of the Rwandan Olympic Committee.
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Camilo Pérez López Moreira (Paraguay), President of the Paraguayan Olympic Committee.
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Giovanni Malagò (Italy), President of the Italian Olympic Committee – effective from 1 January 2019.
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Samira Asghari (Afghanistan), member of the Athletes’ Entourage Commission since 2014.
Representatives of the Olympic Movement
Two Members linked to a function within a National Olympic Committee (NOC) or world or continental association of NOCs:
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William Frederick Blick (Uganda), President of the Ugandan Olympic Committee.
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HRH Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck (Bhutan), President of the Bhutanese Olympic Committee.
Two Members linked to a function within an International Sports Federation (IF) or association of IFs, or an organisation recognised by the IOC:
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Morinari Watanabe (Japan), President of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG).
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Andrew Parsons (Brazil), President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).
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Three Members were subject to re-election after eight years of membership, and were all re-elected: HH Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani (QAT), HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein (JOR) and Mrs Marisol Casado (ESP).
IOC Member Mr Sergey Bubka (membership linked to his function as President of the NOC of Ukraine) had his status changed from Member representing a NOC to Individual Member.
The following IOC Members finishing their terms of office at the end of 2018 because of the age limit were granted the status of IOC Honorary Member.
As of 1 January 2019: HRH Prince Tunku Imran (MAS), elected in 2006; Mr Mario Pescante (ITA), elected in 1994; and Mr Sam Ramsamy (RSA), elected 1995.
With immediate effect: Mr Gian-Franco Kasper (SUI), elected in 2000.
Mr Richard Peterkin (LCA) and Mr Barry Maister (NZL) will also both retire at the end of this year.
Mr Ivo Ferriani (ITA) was elected to the IOC Executive Board as a member “with a view to representing the interests of the Olympic Winter International Federations”. He will serve a mandate of four years.
Malagò eletto nuovo membro CIO a titolo individuale
YOG, it's time for Africa: fourth edition will be held in Senegal
- IOC SESSION IN BUENOS AIRES
The fourth edition of the Summer Youth Olympic Games 2022 (YOG) will be held in Dakar, Senegal. The decision was unanimously taken today by a show of hands from the full International Olympic Committee (IOC) membership during the IOC Session in Buenos Aires. This is the first time the Youth Olympic Games will be organised in Africa.
Four African countries* were in the running and, after thorough analysis, the Evaluation Commission and the Executive Board determined that Dakar, Senegal, presented the best value proposition and the greatest opportunities at this moment in time.
Dakar 2022 presented a visionary, ambitious and technically sound YOG project that addresses the long-term aims of the country. Senegal has a large youth population and views the YOG as a catalyst for engaging young people and developing the country’s sport and youth policy. Significant investments are already being made toward youth and sport as part of the country’s overarching framework “Plan Sénégal émergent”, which sets out the President’s vision to 2035.
IOC President Thomas Bach said: “Africa is united behind Senegal to host the Youth Olympic Games 2022. With a young population and a passion for sport, it is time for Africa, it is time for Senegal.”
The competitions and activities will be held across three cities, showing the many facets of Senegal: the historic capital of Dakar; the new city of Diamniadio; and the natural beauty of Saly on the coast.
The President of Senegal, Macky Sall, who made the journey to Buenos Aires for the historic IOC decision said: “Senegal and its young people are proud of the honour you have bestowed upon us, in entrusting the organisation of the Youth Olympic Games 2022 to our country.
“In fact, it is the whole of Africa, the birthplace of humankind through its history and the youngest continent through its demographics, which will welcome the young athletes of the world in 2022.”
Considering the unifying power of the Games, the IOC is pleased to count on the four parties, who have all endorsed the decision of the IOC and pledged full support to the selected host.
The decision took place during the 3rd edition of the Youth Olympic Games, currently taking place in Buenos Aires from 6 to 18 October.
Milano-Cortina, Calgary and Stockholm recommended by IOC Executive Board as Candidate Cities
- 2026 WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board (EB) has received the report from the Olympic Winter Games Working Group 2026 assessing the feasibility of the four Interested Cities: Calgary (Canada), Erzurum (Turkey), Milan/Cortina d’Ampezzo (Italy) and Stockholm (Sweden).
The Working Group analysed the preliminary plans through the lens of Olympic Agenda 2020/ New Norm, including an emphasis on maximum use of existing infrastructure. The report focuses on the alignment of the Games project with the local, regional and national long-term development plans to make them more feasible and sustainable, and leave tangible legacies.
The IOC EB took note that, as a result, the positive impact of Olympic Agenda 2020/New Norm can already be clearly seen among the Interested Cities for 2026. On average, they plan to use 80 per cent existing or temporary venues, compared to 60 per cent among the Candidate Cities for the Olympic Winter Games 2018 and 2022. In addition, the initial Games operating costs projected by them are on average 15 per cent (approximately USD 300 million) lower than those of the cities in the two previous candidature processes.
The IOC EB expressed its satisfaction with all the hard work, commitment and collaboration from the Interested Cities and NOCs that joined the process. Considering the feasibility assessment of the Olympic Winter Games Working Group 2026 as well as the objectives of Olympic Agenda 2020/New Norm, the IOC EB recommends that the IOC Session convening in Buenos Aires on 8 and 9 October invites the following Cities (in alphabetical order) to the Candidature Stage:
- Calgary
- Milan/Cortina d’Ampezzo
- Stockholm
The final decision will be taken at the IOC Session, which takes place on 8 and 9 October 2018 in Buenos Aires.
The findings of the Working Group report included the following on each of the Interested Cities:
- Calgary:
The city breathes the legacy of the 1988 Games and can make optimal use of existing venues for 2026. Calgary boasts valuable experience and expertise in hosting winter sports competitions and other major events. The city, the province and its people have a deep love and affinity for winter sports. In dialogue and partnership with the IOC, Calgary has developed a Games concept and vision that fit the new era of Olympic Agenda 2020/New Norm and meet the city’s long-term goals.
- Milan/Cortina d’Ampezzo:
Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo combine the advantages of a big European city and those of a popular mountain resort region in the Italian Alps. The candidature benefits from the region’s strong winter sports history, tradition and experience, as well as the Italians’ love and passion for sport. The project can also leverage the economic strength and prosperity of the northern Italian region. While planning is still at an early stage, the project has the potential to achieve the long-term goals of the cities and the region in line with Olympic Agenda 2020/New Norm.
- Stockholm:
A modern global capital with a historic city centre, Stockholm proposes venues in the heart of the city that would elevate and energise the Games experience. Sweden has the hosting experience, love for winter sports and established World Cup venues necessary for delivering the Games. In line with Olympic Agenda 2020/New Norm, Stockholm has developed a Games concept that addresses the city’s future needs and aims to improve the lives of all its citizens.
- Erzurum:
The timing for 2026 is challenging. The concentration of investment in general infrastructure such as accommodation, transport, energy and telecoms would be extremely high. Significant investment would also be needed in sports venues. The region has limited experience in hosting major international winter sports events and would benefit from organising further World Cups, World Championships and the Youth Olympic Games.
Erzurum nevertheless presents great promise for the long-term future, having an ambitious vision of developing a young and vibrant university city into a winter sports centre. Erzurum can take advantage of national government plans and funding to develop the city into a major hub.
The IOC EB was pleased to learn that all Interested Cities expressed their appreciation for the new Candidature Process, which includes reduced requirements and results in easier, more efficient lower-cost candidatures and Games concepts better suited for the cities and the Olympic Movement. The Cities cited the reforms as a major factor in their decision to enter the process.
The IOC EB wishes all the Interested Cities the best of luck going forward. Even those that do not proceed with a candidature at this time will have benefitted from this exercise, as it has allowed them to assess and analyse their development aims in-depth. The knowledge gained from the experience will prove invaluable in their consideration of future projects, including potential Olympic candidatures.
Should the Session approve the proposal of the IOC EB, the 134th Session will be moved from Milan, Italy, to Switzerland.
The volunteer recruitment campaign for the Olympic and Paralympic Games begins
- TOKYO 2020
The Organizing Committee of the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 have commenced the volunteer recruitment campaign.
As many as 80 thousand people will be involved in the management of the Olympic Games, which will be held between 24 July and 9 August 2020, while another 30 thousand will be enrolled by the municipality of the Japanese capital to support tourists who attend the competitions.
As regards the Games, the Organizing Committee has announced a call for tenders to search for young and old volunteers, to be stationed in the places where the Olympic and Paralympic competitions will take place, the latter scheduled from 25 August to 6 September 2020.
The selection of volunteers will end in December. The announcement indicates that no compensation is provided, and that everyone will have to arrange their own accommodation. However, meals on days of service and the volunteer uniform will be paid for by the organizing committee.
To find out more:
IOC, Press Release
- 2026 WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES
The Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) has informed the IOC that its National Council selected Cortina d’Ampezzo, Milan and Turin to continue working with the IOC in the Dialogue Stage of the Candidature Process for the Olympic Winter Games 2026.
The IOC welcomes the news that the three cities have joined forces. This demonstrates the strength of the new Candidature Process.
Italy entered the non-committal Dialogue Stage by the deadline of 31 March 2018 and has been conducting feasibility studies prior to confirming its project.
The IOC will continue to work with CONI and the three cities to provide expertise and to assist in the development of plans in line with the reforms of Olympic Agenda 2020 and The New Norm, which have shaped the Candidature Process 2026 to ensure that projects meet the long-term needs of host cities, regions and countries. We hope for the best possible outcome of these discussions.
At the occasion of the IOC Session in Buenos Aires, the IOC will select the projects that will be invited to the Candidature Stage.
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