IOC makes decision by simultaneously awarding Olympic Games 2024 to Paris and 2028 to Los Angeles

• THE SESSION IN LIMA

The Session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) meeting in Lima, Peru, today elected Paris as host city of the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad 2024 and Los Angeles as the host city of the Games of the XXXIV Olympiad 2028.

"Congratulations to Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028! This historic double allocation is a ‘win-win-win’ situation for the city of Paris, the city of Los Angeles and the IOC," said the IOC President, Thomas Bach. 

"It is hard to imagine something better. Ensuring the stability of the Olympic Games for the athletes of the world for the next 11 years is something extraordinary," Bach commented.

"These are two great cities from two great countries with a great Olympic history. Both cities are very enthusiastic about the Games and are promoting the Olympic spirit in a fantastic way," Bach added.

While celebrating the decision, Paris and Los Angeles both expressed their excitement in bringing home the Olympic Games.

The idea of a Tripartite Agreement came to light after a working group of IOC Vice-Presidents studied the possibility of a double allocation of the Olympic Games 2024 and 2028. The working group was set up in March 2017. 

With the blessing of the 130th IOC Session that met in Lausanne in July, the IOC, Los Angeles, Paris and their National Olympic Committees have been working together in order to reach the agreement that was ratified by the IOC Session today.

Los Angeles and Paris have put together very inspiring projects. Both have embraced Olympic Agenda 2020, particularly in the way they are planning to use a record-breaking number of existing and temporary facilities.

PyeongChang 2018 Six Months To Go!

Today is just six months away from the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018. The Olympic flame will arrive at the Olympic Plaza in PyeongChang on February 9th and this will signal the start of an amazing 17 days of world class winter sports action in South Korea.

The PyeongChang Organizing Committee will have a few more marquee announcements and events in the lead up including the unveiling of the Olympic Medals and the 100 days to go celebrations, November 1^st 2017, which will also coincide with the start of the Olympic Torch Relay. From Incheon to PyeongChang a total of 7,500 torchbearers will carry the Olympic Flame around 17 cities nationwide on a route that is exactly 2,018 km.

'Viva' Rio 2016, the IOC celebrates the Brazilian Games with a documentary

Lights, colours, emotions, memories. Exactly one year ago, the Maracanã stadium, dressed up for the occasion, hosted the Rio 2016 inaugural ceremony. The suggestive storyboard, to the rhythm of music, narrated Brazil to the world, and marked the start of the 31st Summer Olympic Games: the first time the five circles had embraced South America. In the temple of soccer, a long parade of 207 nations celebrated the event.

Italy, the 102nd, led by the Head of Mission Carlo Mornati, entered the stadium at 9.52 pm local time (2.53 am in Italy) led by the 'Divine' Federica Pellegrini, in front of the fascinated eyes of the President of the CONI, Giovanni Malagò, of the Secretary General Roberto Fabbricini and of the then Premier Matteo Renzi.

One year after, the IOC, through the Olympic Channel, recalls the Brazilian Games with a series of social initiatives and the publication of "VIVA", a documentary which, through the narration of those who took part, reveals the behind the scenes of that ceremony (watch film here).

After 19 days of excitement and achievements - celebrated in the impressive Casa Italia, at the Costa Brava Club – the Italia Team took ninth place in the Olympic medal table, making the podium 28 times (8 gold medals, 12 silver medals and 8 bronze medals): like in the previous two summer Games but with a higher total number of silver medals (12, three more), despite the penalizing program and about 50 medals altogether missed by Russia and China.

An event well worth remembering then and one to be re-lived by the Italian protagonists who took part in it, including through the images of "Games to remember - Re-Experience Rio2016", produced by the Olympic Channel (the video).

Passion in the air 200 days from the start of PyeongChang 2018

Today marked 200 days until the start of the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games. The milestone was celebrated with the President of the Republic of Korea, MOON Jae-in, visiting the host city PyeongChang to show his support for the Games. As the nation’s passion and excitement continues to grow in the final few months before the world’s biggest sporting event kicks off in Korea, the 200 days to go milestone was also celebrated in Seoul and across Gangwon Province throughout the weekend.

As his first visit to PyeongChang as the country’s president, President MOON celebrated the 200-day milestone with the organizing committee staff, volunteers, and local residents at the Alpensia Convention Center – to be used as the Main Press Centre during the Winter Games.  President MOON discussed the work of the organizing committee and thanked the staff for their hard work and dedication. The host nation’s president also became the latest PyeongChang 2018 Honorary Ambassador to promote the Republic of Korea’s first Winter Games ever. 

MOON Jae-in, President of the Republic of Korea said, “For the government, this will be the first major international event since we took office. I believe the government has an obligation to make the Games a success.

“Up until now, the government left this job to the Organizing Committee and Gangwon Province. Now with 200 days left, the central government will join forces to make the PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games a complete success. “This is a chance for the people of our nation to heal and regain hope by successfully hosting the Olympic Winter Games”. Celebrating the 200 days to go mark in Seoul, the PyeongChang 2018 Village was created along the Han River, the major river crossing Seoul, at the Hangang Summer Festival starting from July 21 – August 20. Visitors will be able to experience PyeongChang 2018 in advance through fun activities such as flash mobs, art displays, and movie nights.

A special ‘G-200 Fireworks Festival’ was held in Chuncheon - the capital of Gangwon Province - on Saturday (July 22) with more than 200,000 onlookers including invited dignitaries, athletes, media, local residents and visitors to the area enjoying the entertainment. The colorful array of fireworks at the “G-200 Fireworks Festival’ was enhanced with a choral performance from the Chuncheon Children’s Choir and a host of other activities including a dance performance by the Gangwon Provincial Dance Company. Olympic speed skating silver medalist KIM Chul-min and speed skating record holder in the 3000 and 5000 meters KIM Bo-reum both gave congratulatory messages to the crowd.

The firework festival will now be a legacy celebration to be held each year in the province to engage the nation and retain the Olympic spirit that is building ahead of the Opening Ceremony of the Games on February 9^th. President of the PyeongChang 2018 Organizing Committee LEE Hee-beom said, “After years of planning and preparation we are now just 200 days away from the start of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Games. We are putting the final touches on what will be the biggest Winter Games ever. “It will also be a Winter Games that will open up new horizons for the Gangwon Province as a tourist destination, and Asia as a winter sports hub for us all to enjoy for many years to come. Now is the time to share the passion and plan your Olympic journey with us. We are ready to showcase the best of winter sports and welcome the world class athletes that will come to PyeongChang to go for Gold.”

The start of the Games on February 9^th will bring to an end the 101-day Olympic Torch Relay that will commence on November 1^st to cover the length and breadth of the country, giving as many people as possible the chance to be part of the Olympic celebrations in their homeland. To add to the spirit of the Olympic Torch Relay, a special theme song was premiered at the firework festival that will be played throughout the journey of the flame to PyeongChang. The song was performed by Korea’s R&B diva, Insooni who was also appointed as a PyeongChang 2018 Honorary Ambassador prior to her performance.

Over the next seven months, PyeongChang will focus on delivering one of the most exciting sporting and cultural events ever to come to Korea. The Games hope to bring people together to share the vision of New Horizons, providing a chance for everyone to learn and experience winter sports, to share the wonders of Korea with the rest of the world and to invite the world to come and experience PyeongChang and Korea in person. Just like the 1988 Seoul Summer Games, the first Olympic Games to be held on the Korean peninsula 30 years ago, PyeongChang 2018 can open doors for the next generation and bring new life, excitement and energy to the dynamic and ever-evolving country.

Opening ceremony in Gyor, the Italian flag flies: at the start of the XIV edition of the EYOF

• EUROPEAN YOUTH OLYMPIC FESTIVAL

Announcement from the National Council

• CONI

The 254th CONI National Council met this afternoon at 3:00 PM in the Foro Italico Salone d'Onore to discuss the following order of the day:

Six candidates approved for IOC Athletes’ Commission elections in PyeongChang

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board today approved the candidatures of six winter sports athletes for the IOC Athletes’ Commission elections, which will be held during the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018 next February.

Welcoming this approval, current Chair of the Commission Angela Ruggiero said: “I am delighted with the calibre of candidates running for a place in the IOC Athletes’ Commission. I have every confidence in each candidate to strongly represent athletes in the Olympic Movement and continue the excellent work of the IOC Athletes’ Commission to date. I wish all of them the best of luck, and urge all Olympians competing in PyeongChang next year to vote for the candidates they wish to represent them on the IOC.”

Nominated by their respective National Olympic Committees (NOCs), the candidates vying for two available positions originate from three continents and represent five different sports.

The candidates are: Astrid Uhrenholdt JACOBSEN (NOR) (skiing/cross-country); Ander MIRAMBELL (ESP) (skeleton); Kikkan RANDALL (USA) (skiing/cross-country); Emma TERHO (FIN) (ice hockey); Hong ZHANG (CHN) (skating/speed-skating); and Armin ZOEGGELER (ITA) (luge).

Two seats on the Commission will become available in 2018, with current Chair Angela Ruggiero and member Adam Pengilly finishing their terms of office next February. All athletes participating in the next Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang will be eligible to vote for their preferred candidates. After approval by the IOC Session, the two elected Olympians will become IOC Members for an eight-year term.

Six representatives have been nominated by the IOC President to form the Election Committee to oversee the IOC Athletes’ Commission election. The Committee is composed of: Nicole Hoevertsz (Chair of the IOC Election Committee and representing the IOC Legal Affairs Commission); Pierre-Olivier Beckers-Vieujant (representing the IOC Ethics Commission); James Tomkins (representing the IOC Athletes’ Commission); Dagmawit Girmay Berhane (representing the IOC Members Election Commission); Ivo Ferriani (representing the Association of International Olympic Winter Federations (AIOWF)); and Mikaela Cojuangco Jaworski (representing ANOC). The Election Committee will be responsible for ensuring that the procedures and regulations are followed at all times as well as certifying the final vote count.

A joint meeting to discuss future strategies

Following the candidatures’ approval, the IOC Athletes’ Commission joined the Executive Board for a joint meeting in order to discuss the development and implementation of their future strategy.

“Our mission is to represent athletes within the Olympic Movement and support them to succeed on and off the field of play,” explains Angela Ruggiero. “Today, we discussed the key challenges of the Olympic Movement relating to athletes and highlighted the ways in which our strategy would help address these points. I look forward to building on this incredible momentum and maximising the positive impact we can make on behalf of athletes and the Olympic Movement”.

Throughout the strategy development process, the IOC Athletes’ Commission has engaged with a number of stakeholders and partners, including IOC leadership, International Federations and Continental Associations Athletes’ Commissions, to mention but a few. Vice-Chair of the IOC Athletes’ Commission Tony Estanguet said: “We recognise that the Olympic Movement is not free of challenges, and the IOC Athletes’ Commission has been, and continues to be, key to addressing issues such as doping”.

He added: “We are absolutely delighted to have the full support of the IOC President and IOC Executive Board, and very much recognise the fundamental role of the Olympic Movement stakeholders in the successful delivery of our strategy. We look forward to continuing our strong partnership and collaboration with all stakeholders to ensure that we can serve our peers in the best possible way”. The IOC Athletes’ Commission will finalise its strategy over the coming months, and it will be formally presented for approval by the IOC Executive Board this September.

An active Commission for and by athletes

Reflecting the Olympic Agenda 2020 aim of placing the athletes at the heart of the Olympic Movement and strengthening the support to athletes, the IOC Athletes’ Commission serves as a link between athletes and the IOC. The majority of members of the Commission are elected directly by Olympic athletes and act as the athletes’ representatives in the Olympic Movement. Members of the Commission are also present on the majority of IOC commissions, and the Chair serves on the IOC Executive Board as a full member.

The goal of the IOC Athletes’ Commission is to ensure that the athletes’ viewpoint remains at the heart of the Olympic Movement decisions. Additionally, an integral part of the work is to support athletes on and off the field of play and to promote the protection of clean sport.

The Commission members are also involved in many key IOC activities and fully integrated into the IOC decision-making process. This includes the process for evaluating Candidate Cities seeking to host the Olympic Games and the composition of the sports programme for the Games.

CONI and ActionAid together through Tokyo 2020

• MEMORANDUM SIGNED IN L'AQUILA

World is abuzz with activities as millions get active on Olympic Day

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), globally, one in four adults are not active enough and more than 80 per cent of the world’s adolescent population is insufficiently physically active. In a bid to reverse that trend, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) called upon the Movement at large – from National Olympic Committees (NOCs), International and National Sports Federations to Organising Committees of Olympic Games and Youth Olympic Games, National Olympians Associations and Young Ambassadors – to help get the “couch potatoes off the couch”. 

The result? Close to 6 million people of all ages and abilities have been joining the movement and taking part in Olympic fun runs and quizzes, trying new sports, competing in school tournaments, contributing to musical and arts exhibitions or chatting with champions. And there is more to come!

People in motion across the continents

From Albania to Antigua and Barbuda, Gambia to the Federated States of Micronesia, or Canada to Sri Lanka, 108 NOCs across all five continents have already heeded the IOC’s call to action. In collaboration with National Federations and local authorities and leveraging the power of their Olympians, many have or are staging educational, cultural and sporting activities in their territories to encourage their communities to be active and spread the Olympic values in the lead-up to and on Olympic Day. By the end of the year, this figure should rise to 142 NOCs. 

The Serbian Olympic Committee, for instance, garnered the support of national Olympic champions and elite athletes to motivate the more than 3,000 participants taking part in the various races, from relays to family runs, in the capital city of Belgrade earlier this month. Similarly, the Slovenian NOC organised a mini Olympiad event in Ljubljana for local children to discover new sports with the help of its national sporting heroes. In Bhutan, the NOC mobilised national sports federations and several primary schools to engage nearly 1,500 students in an Olympic Day run, sports introductions, meet-n-greets with Bhutanese Olympians and learning the Olympic values.  In turn, the Olympic Committee in Nepal kicked off a whole week of Olympic Day activities in which they expect 5,000 participants, including sportspersons and civil society members, to join. 

In other parts of the world, such as Burkina Faso, Cameroon and Ethiopia, NOCs are celebrating Olympic Day by introducing local communities to new sports on the Olympic programme, such as baseball and softball, or to more traditional sporting activities such as tugs of war. They are also using this platform to raise awareness of important local environmental and social issues, and the role that sport can play to face some of these challenges.

Our Young Ambassadors have also been showing their support for Olympic Day. Colombian Young Change-Maker (formerly known as Young Ambassadors) Juan Sanchez decided to focus his attention on seniors and pensioners in his hometown of Bogotá. Concerned by the lack of opportunities they have to exercise, the Young Change-Maker organised yoga and Zumba classes. Met with great enthusiasm and positive results, the 25-year-old is already working on follow-up activities in order to ensure there is greater movement amongst this elderly community. 

Athletes driving inspiration on #OlympicDay

In addition to the multitude of activities taking place across the continents, the Olympic Movement’s digital platforms have all been in Olympic Day mode in order to reach out to its millions of fans. Olympic medallists Yuna Kim, Justin Rose, Mariana Pajon, Martin Fourcade, Pusarla Venkata Sindhu and Simone Biles along with football legends Ronaldo and Carles Puyol are among those who have already been busy posting and inspiring their fans to follow their lead and share their photos and videos of their #OlympicDay sporting moments on social media.

With just under a year to go until the next Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang, winter athletes are also making the most of Olympic Day to train for their qualification events and build excitement for what’s to come next February. For instance, German luger and Olympic champion Felix Loch joined forces with the International Luge Federation to teach kids in his country how to slide. 

To see how the world is getting active for #OlympicDay, visit: https://olympicdaysocial.olympic.org  

Press release from the National Council

The 253rd INOC National Council met this morning at 10.00am in the Hall of Honour at the Foro Italico to discuss the following agenda:

1) Approval of minutes from meetings of 10 and 11 May 2017: unanimously approved.

2) President’s announcements: Malagò opened proceedings by commemorating the figures of the sporting world that we have lost in the past month, contextually emphasising the important results achieved by the Italian national teams during that period. The President then celebrated the unforgettable day we experienced yesterday, with the first, historic visit by a head of state to INOC, thanks to the affinity shown once again by Mattarella. The event, planned for the last 2 years, managed to involve all the major players in the sporting world, and the President of the Republic reiterated the importance of the movement for the growth of the country, as a fantastic social and economic lever, a reflection of Italy, saying that he was proud of the excellence that the movement can express. The day of celebration of the presence of, among others, Minister of Sport Luca Lotti, also confirmed the generosity of relations with the institutions, further enhanced by the announcement of an additional fund of 100 million euros for the “Sports and Suburbs” fund. On the subject of relations with the government, there was also mention of the definition of the structure of the Cortina 2021 Committee with the investiture of Alessandro Benetton, according to a shared process to ensure significant impact.

Malagò then announced to the Council the co-opting of Giovanni Pellielo as Athlete Representative, after the resignation of Raffaello Leonardo, then going on to address the issue of the relationship between INOC – through INOC Services – and the Federations, thanks to the joint ventures related to international events, advocating the possibility of widening the range of synergies with other companies to organise new events. Regarding Tokyo 2020, there was discussion of the important changes introduced by the IOC at the Olympic programme level, with the revolution regarding the entry of new specialities and formats - in many cases referring to mixed-gender events - without altering the number of participating athletes, thereby undermining the share of the existing disciplines. 

Federations section: after the appointment of the Executive – now ratified by the Council - of Alberto Miglietta as Commissioner of the Italian Canoe Kayak Federation – the President informed the assembly of the developments relating to the IAeC - the Federation overseen by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport – that on Saturday reelected Leoni as President, despite his having been suspended by the Guarantor of the Code of Conduct in Sports. In terms of nominations, in addition to Zoeggeler vying to join the IOC Athletes Commission, the process of Milan’s bid to host the 2019 session of the International Olympic Committee was formally completed, and the assembly was reminded that in July – in Lausanne – the possibility of assigning the 2024 and 2028 Summer Games simultaneously will be discussed. Malagò then talked about the establishment of the working group for the speech on the uniformity of rules and regulations, under the constant supervision of the Supervisory College, and the working group for Sports Justice, also informing the establishment of the new fiscal commission. The President closed his speech by conveying the regards of the head of the IOC, Thomas Bach, to the National Council.

There were speeches on the report and on other issues from: Giovanni Petrucci (Basketball), Mario Pescante (IOC Member), Sabatino Aracu (Wheeled Sports), Franco Chimenti (Golf).

3) F.S.N .- D.S.A. - E.P.S. activities: Administration by an external commissioner of the Italian Canoe Kayak Federation: the appointment of Alberto Miglietta was ratified. Having nothing else to pass, the Council closed proceedings at 11.35.