The curtain raises on Lausanne 2020, Alessia Tornaghi parades with Tricolore flag in front of Malagò
- WINTER YOG
The third edition of the Winter Youth Olympic Games officially kicked off with the ceremony tonight at the Vaudoise Aréna.
The capital of the Olympic movement and home of the IOC will host, until 22nd January, the most important under-18 sporting event that will see around 1800 athletes from 79 countries throughout the world compete in 16 disciplines (the Italian athletes, however, will not compete in the skeleton).
Italy made its entrance in the athletes' parade, after Austria and ahead of Slovenia. More than half of the 67 Italian athletes were present on the ice (44 FISI members, 23 FISG members); 33 men and 34 women, who, in total (the rest of the group will arrive on 16th January), will take part in the Olympic event that starts tonight in Switzerland (crossing the French mountains of Les Tuffes). Then, at 8pm on the dot, the show kicked off with a moving display on ice and snow that combined Swiss tradition and innovation.
Present in the stands were the Olympic family and the heads of world sport, with the President of the IOC, Thomas Bach, sitting next to Simonetta Sommaruga, President of the Swiss Confederation who declared the Games open. With them were leaders of Italian sport, including the President of CONI and IOC member, Giovanni Malagò, and the Secretary General and Head of Olympic Preparation, Carlo Mornati, who witnessed the entrance of standard-bearer Alessia Tornaghi, the sixteen-year-old Milanese skater, twice senior Italian champion, who made her entrance at 8.09pm, together with Israel and Japan.
Lausanne is host to one of the two Olympic Villages (on the city's university campus) and three of the scheduled disciplines (Hockey, Figure Skating and Short Track Speed Skating). In the other village of St. Moritz, it was lugeist Alex Gufler who bore the flag at the other scheduled opening ceremony.
Tomorrow, on the snows of the Vaud Alps - in Les Diablerets and Villars - the first Olympic medals for the new entry Ski Mountaineering, which will make its debut in an Olympic event tomorrow with the men's and women's Individual Trial and Alpine Skiing, will already be awarded tomorrow with the men's and women's Super G.
The Lausanne 2020 Games are the first Winter Youth Olympic Games which guarantees an equal number of girls and boys competing for a medal (for the Summer Youth Games this had already happened in Buenos Aires 2018, while for the ‘big’ Games, this will happen for the first time in Tokyo 2020). For the first time, an edition of the Winter Games also includes mixed nationality 3×3 ice hockey, a women's doubles tobogganing competition, and the Nordic Women's Combined. These confirm the YOG as a true laboratory of ideas, driven by the energies of young people and at the service of sport.
The Milano Cortina 2026 presentation closes the 24th ANOC General Assembly
- DOHA
The 24th General Assembly of ANOC ended today in Doha. During the meeting of the World Olympic Committees, meeting on the side-lines of the first edition of the World Beach Games, general topics and leading issues related to the Olympic movement were discussed. The work was opened yesterday by the applauded speech of the President of the IOC, Thomas Bach, who recalled the need to affirm the values of “respect, unity and political neutrality as vital factors for the universality of the movement”, and continued - among other things - with a window reserved for the now imminent Tokyo 2020.
During today's meeting, the showcase was instead dedicated to the insights of the various ANOC committees, the financial report for the World Beach Games, and the presentations of the Organising Committees of the Dakar 2022 Summer Youth Olympic Games, the Beijing 2022 Winter Games and the Paris 2024 Summer Games, with the final section reserved for Milano Cortina 2026. The President of CONI, Giovanni Malagò, presented the project, illustrated in detail by Diana Bianchedi and Anna Riccardi, who focused on the most relevant aspects with regards to technical and infrastructural content. A video with the masterplan was also shown during the presentation. The 25th ANOC General Assembly will be held in 2020 in Seoul.
Boxing Road to Tokyo 2020: qualification events announced
- OLYMPIC GAMES
The Olympic Boxing Task Force today confirmed the names of the cities to host the five Qualification Events to be held on the Boxing Road to Tokyo 2020. The Task Force also announced the creation of an Athlete Ambassador Group, as well as the collaboration with PricewaterhouseCoopers on the refereeing and judging process.
Qualification Events
Four Continental Events and a final World Qualification Event will be held between February and May 2020 to give boxers the opportunity to seal their places at the Tokyo 2020 boxing tournament.
The World Qualification Event will give athletes a second chance to qualify and will therefore be open only to those boxers who have not yet qualified for the Games.
“The Qualification Events represent a fair and transparent pathway to the Olympic Games with equal opportunities for all National Olympic Committees,” said Boxing Task Force Chair and IOC Member Mr Morinari Watanabe. “Everything is being done to provide world-class Qualification Events and to ensure the best possible conditions for the athletes.”
The qualifying schedule features a strong emphasis on legacy, with all five events hosted by former or future Olympic Games or Youth Olympic Games host cities or countries.
The five Qualification Events together with planned dates are as follows:
Asia/Oceania: WUHAN, China, 3-14 February 2020
Africa: DAKAR, Senegal, 20-29 February 2020
Venue: Dakar International Expo Centre, Diamniadio
Europe: LONDON, Great Britain, 13-23 March 2020
Venue: Copper Box arena, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
America: BUENOS AIRES, Argentina, 26 March-3 April 2020Venue: CeNARD high-performance athletics training centre
World: PARIS, France, 13-24 May 2020
The competition venues in Wuhan and Paris will be finalised and confirmed in due course.
While the total number of athletes (286) has been maintained from Rio 2016, the number of female boxers has been tripled for Tokyo 2020 in a major boost toward gender equality and in keeping with the enhanced quality and popularity of female boxing. The Tokyo tournament will feature 186 men and 100 women (compared to 250 men and 36 women in Rio).
Athlete Ambassador Programme
The Task Force also announced the creation of an Athlete Ambassador Group to engage with and represent boxers. This group will provide valuable athlete input and feedback to the Task Force and promote the athlete voice and representation in boxing, for Tokyo 2020 and beyond.
The Athlete Ambassadors will comprise 10 boxers, one man and one woman from each of the five regions, providing gender equality and global representation. The 10 will be selected from among nominations received from National Olympic Committees and National Federations by 30 September. They will be joined by additional athletes elected by their peers at each of the four continental events.
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to oversee refereeing and judging process
To ensure the successful delivery of the Olympic Qualification Events and the Olympic competition itself, the Olympic Boxing Task Force is currently finalising the appointment of PwC to independently review the process for selecting and evaluating boxing referees and judges.
The assessment will be carried out prior to, and during, the five Olympic Qualification Events and the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.
The Olympic Boxing Task Force decided to build on the successful delivery at the Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires 2018, where the partnership with PwC helped ensure the credibility of refereeing and judging processes.
Background information
The creation of the Olympic Boxing Task Force by the IOC Executive Board (EB) followed the recommendation by the IOC EB on 22 May – approved by the IOC Session on 26 June – that boxing keep its place on the Tokyo 2020 programme, but that recognition of the International Boxing Association (AIBA) by the IOC should be suspended and evaluated after Tokyo 2020.
The decision was based on the recommendations of the Inquiry Committee set up by the IOC EB on 30 November 2018 over concerns about AIBA in the areas of finance, governance, ethics and refereeing and judging.
Milano Cortina awarded the Olympic Games 2026
- IOC SESSION IN LAUSANNE
Milano Cortina, Italy, will host the Olympic Winter Games 2026. The decision was taken today during the 134th Session of the International Olympic Committee in Lausanne in Lausanne, Switzerland. The other candidate in the ballot was Stockholm-Åre, Sweden.
| 134th IOC Session Results Host of the Winter Olympic Games 2026 |
|
| Voting cards distributed | 82 |
| Valid votes | 81 |
| Abstentions (including blank votes) | 1 |
| Majority | 41 |
| Stockholm - Åre | 34 |
| Milan - Cortina | 47 |
IOC President Thomas Bach said: “Congratulations to Milano Cortina. We can look forward to outstanding and sustainable Olympic Winter Games in a traditional winter sports country. The passion and knowledge of Italian fans, together with experienced venue operators, will create the perfect atmosphere for the best athletes in the world. The Olympic Winter Games Milan-Cortina 2026 will feature iconic venues and beautiful settings, combining the attractions of a modern European metropolis with a classic Alpine environment".
He added: “The new Candidature Process has demonstrated the success of Olympic Agenda 2020. We have lowered the cost and complexity of developing Games projects, which now serve the long-term development goals of the host communities and have sustainability and legacy at their hearts. This has led to a significantly reduced organisation budget and the use of 93 per cent existing or temporary competition venues. I also want to thank Stockholm-Åre for presenting an excellent candidature and being part of the Candidature Process for the Olympic Winter Games 2026".
Italy is a sport-loving nation, and winter sports are part of the tradition, culture and identity of Northern Italy. The region has world-class winter sports venues, ranging from the ice arenas of Milano to the well-established and iconic World Cup and World Championship destinations of Cortina, Bormio, Antholz and Val di Fiemme.
The plan is fully in line with the Olympic Agenda 2020 reforms, which call for making maximum use of existing and temporary venues if there is no post-Games demand for new permanent facilities.
With regard to competition venues, Milano Cortina 2026 prioritises sustainability and legacy, as 13 out of a total 14 facilities (93 per cent) will be existing or temporary.
The project has the unified backing of the Italian sports movement, the private sector and national, regional and city governments – providing a solid foundation for its delivery.
It features a clear vision to use the Games as a catalyst to boost economic development across Northern Italy, including supporting the regions to achieve their specific tourism goals, and to stimulate economic activities between the metropolitan and mountain areas.
The Candidature Process 2026 has been built on increased partnership, flexibility and sharing of knowledge. It featured a new one-year non-committal Dialogue Stage in which the IOC, together with the International Olympic Winter Sports Federations and the wider Olympic Movement, worked hand in hand with Interested Cities and National Olympic Committees (NOCs) to help them explore options and develop Games projects.
The result is a significant cost reduction in the candidature budgets, projected to be more than 75 per cent lower than the average budgets for the 2018 and 2022 candidates.
In addition, the proposed Games operating budgets were on average 20 per cent lower than those of the Candidate Cities for the Olympic Winter Games 2018 and 2022.
The IOC Session decision means Milan-Cortina will also host the Paralympic Winter Games 2026. (Photo IOC)
Milano Cortina ha vinto! In Italia i Giochi Olimpici e Paralimpici 2026
CONI submits joint three-city bid with Milan, Turin and Cortina
- CONI
The Italian National Olympic Committee unanimously resolves to send the proposal for candidacy for the 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games of the cities of Milan, Turin and Cortina for an innovative project intended to guarantee a balance between the respective territorial areas through the reinforcement of cohesion and respect between the areas identified to host the Games and the identification of solutions that provide the best chance for success of the candidacies for all of Italy.
Olympic Truce Resolution adopted at the United Nations General Assembly
- PYEONGCHANG 2018
The Olympic Truce Resolution for the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games was adopted at the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The resolution – entitled “Sport for Peace and Development: Building a Peaceful and Better World through Sport and the Olympic Ideal” – was formally submitted to the General Assembly on behalf of the Olympic Movement and the PyeongChang 2018 Organizing Committee by the Republic of Korea. It calls for a truce during the Olympic Games to encourage a peaceful environment and ensure safe passage, access and participation for athletes and relevant persons at the Games.
Speaking to the world Assembly, POCOG President LEE Hee-beom said, “The Olympic Truce is about the promotion of peace through sport. “We, Koreans, still remember vividly the wonderful 1988 Seoul Olympic Games. It provided a good opportunity to bring the East and West together, in Seoul, through the Games for peace, harmony and reconciliation. “We hope our joint actions today will lead to a chain reaction for the promotion of peace within the region and beyond. Together we are more powerful than any one of us working alone”.
Following POCOG President LEE Hee-beom’s address to the Assembly, Games Honorary Ambassador and Olympic gold medalist KIM Yuna spoke to the General Assembly sharing her experiences of being an athlete and the power that sport has in bringing nations together. She said, “I first experienced the Olympic spirit when I was 10 years old watching the two Korean delegations walk into the Olympic Stadium together in Sydney. “I firmly believe that the PyeongChang 2018 Games will help spread the message of peace and I am proud to be here today to help tell the world about our vision".
The delegation of the Republic of Korea was joined by three students from Hyun Pung High School in Daegu, who were selected from the winning team of a ‘Peace through Sport’ speech contest earlier this year. Republic of Korea national Para Ice Hockey athlete and Games Ambassador JUNG Seung-hwan also showed his support by joining the historical moment at the UN General Assembly. A special PyeongChang reception will take place this evening at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea in New York to mark the occasion with the International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach set to attend the event. He also spoke today at the UN General Assembly and said, “For the athletes that will gather in PyeongChang for the Olympic Winter Games, this resolution will carry a special significance, a deeply personal one. With the Olympic Truce resolution, the United Nation General Assembly is creating the conditions for all athletes to compete in peace. Only the UN Member States can guarantee the athletes a safe passage to the Olympic Games. They make it possible for all the Olympic athletes to realize their dream of a lifetime".
He continued, “The Olympic athletes show the whole world that it is possible to compete with each other while living peacefully together under one roof at the same time". The message of peace and passion for the PyeongChang 2018 Games continues to travel across the host country as the Olympic Torch Relay is now 13 days into its 101-day journey to the PyeongChang Olympic Stadium. Celebrating ‘achievers’ and ‘dreamers’ along the way, the 7,500 torchbearers will carry the flame over 2,018km and help raise the excitement and enthusiasm for what will be the greatest celebration of winter sports and culture that Korea has ever seen.
“Incredible is not impossible. Fire on the Ice”, is the claim in Bolzano for PyeongChang 2018
At the end of the presentation of the Olympic Club and CONI initiatives for the next Winter Olympic Games in PyeongChang 2018, held at Museion - Museum of modern and contemporary art- in Bolzano, Italian athletes Peter Fill and Sofia Goggia expressed the ambition and hope of the Italia Team and claimed “Incredible is not impossible. Fire on the Ice”: this is the slogan chosen for the Italia Team on their way to the XXIII Olympic Winter Games. A claim that we hope brings the same luck as “We are ready to fly. You cannot chase dreams with your feet on the ground”, that set the pace of the victories of the Italia Team at the Summer Olympics in Rio 2016.
Letter from the IOC President Thomas Bach to Giovanni Malagò
This is the text of the letter that the IOC President Thomas Bach sent to the CONI President Giovanni Malagò:
Dear President,
Dear friend Giovanni,
Thank you for your letter dated 11 October 2016.
The IOC has taken note of the withdrawal of the Candidature of Rome for the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad, following the vote of the City Council. Based on the information we have received over the last few days, it has been clearly demonstrated that the City Council’s decision was politically motivated for reasons beyond the Olympic project.
The IOC is fully aware that this was a very difficult decision for CONI to take, enjoying support for the candidature from all other levels of Government and the people of Rome and Italy.
I would like to thank CONI and the Candidature Committee for their outstanding work which resulted in an excellent project for a sustainable, feasible and transparent candidature in the line with Olympic Agenda 2020. There is no doubt that this project would have left a positive and sustainable legacy for the City of Rome and the Lazio Region, to which the IOC would have contributed with an investment of about USD 1.7 billion.
May I also kindly ask you to convey the IOC’s thanks to the Government of Italy, the Regional Government and Regional Council of Lazio and all Italians, who have supported this candidature so much.
Please rest assured that the excellent relations between the IOC and CONI will not be affected by this decision. We will continue to work closely with CONI to promote and develop Olympic sport in Italy.
Wishing you and all the members of your teams in CONI and the Candidature Committee the very best for a successful future, I remain
With kind regards,
Thomas Bach
Olympic Channel to launch on 21 August 2016
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) today announced the launch date for its ground-breaking new media destination, the Olympic Channel, where fans can experience the power of sport and the Olympic Movement all year round. Starting Sunday 21 August, after the Closing Ceremony of the Olympic Games Rio 2016, the Olympic Channel platform will be available worldwide via a mobile app for Android and iOS devices and at olympicchannel.com.
In addition, athletes and fans can follow the Olympic Channel on its newly launched social media handles on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube, and sign up for Olympic Channel updates at olympicchannel.com.
IOC President Thomas Bach said: “The launch of the Olympic Channel on 21st August is the start of an exciting new journey to connect the worldwide audience with the Olympic Movement all year round. Fans will be able to follow sports, athletes and the stories behind the Olympic Games. The Olympic Channel will inspire us all and reach out to new generations of athletes and fans.”
With the goal of providing a new way to engage young people, fans and new audiences in the Olympic Movement, the Olympic Channel is a free platform that will present original programming, live sports events, news and highlights offering additional exposure for sports and athletes all year round. Olympic Channel original programming will include both short-form and long-form content, focusing on elite athletes, their quest for success and sport around the world.
Designed for a global audience, the Olympic Channel digital platform will showcase content from around the world, and will initially be offered in English. Additional features at launch will include fantastic content as video on demand, as well as individual sport pages within a user-friendly and mobile-responsive interface, subtitled in nine different languages.
The Olympic Channel includes an option to register for a richer and more personalised experience, where users can follow their favourite athletes, teams, sports and countries to receive an individually-tailored content selection. The dynamic environment also allows videos to be easily shared across social media, and encourages users to regularly interact with the Olympic Movement.
After the launch of the global digital product in August, the Olympic Channel intends to foster partnerships with other Olympic stakeholders, including rights-holding broadcasters and National Olympic Committees to develop localised versions of the Olympic Channel. Localised versions will offer language-specific user experiences on digital platforms, and will also include linear television programming options.
Olympic athletes from Rome received in Campidiglio on the eve of the Games
In Campidoglio this afternoon, CONI (Italian National Olympic Committee) President Giovanni Malagò, together with the Secretary General Roberto Fabbricini, accompanied a delegation of roman athletes who qualified for the Olympic Games. The Azzurri team had been invited by the Mayor of Rome, Virginia Raggi and the Deputy Mayor, with the Minister for Sports, Daniele Frongia, who hosted the representatives departing for Rio, at the Municipality. Frongia, who together with the Mayor are involved in other Institutional Fronts, pointed out that: "As a former athlete, I recall these initiatives within the institutions as somewhat boring. But we want to emphasize that Campidoglio represents the community at large. And the whole of Rome is with you, proud of you. Thank you and good luck." The ceremony was attended by the following athletes: Claudia Cesarini, Riccardo De Luca and Pierpaolo Petroni (Modern Pentathlon), Marco De Luca, Sonia Malavisi and Maria Benedicta Chigbolu (Athletics), Alice Sinno and Elena Berta (Sailing), Odette Giuffrida (Judo) and Daniele Lupo (Beach Volleyball). Present in the room there was also, the team leader of the M5S in Campidoglio, Paolo Ferrara and the Chairman of the Capitolina Sports Committee, Angelo Diario.
President's Malagò’s message was one of pride: "I would like to thank Deputy Mayor, Frongia and the Advisors Diario and Ferrara, because we speak the same language. All three have wanted to highlight their past as sportsmen and I also have that in my genes. There is this commonality and this trip, we should not divulge anything. This initiative came about because of the Mayor’s consent; we were expecting something of this nature to occur because in other cities and regions of Italy, here and there, these initiatives are deeply felt. I am the National President but of Roman origin and I am very happy about this initiative. I congratulate you and I will be just as happy, if we are invited to return here because I know how much you have done. Look at these ambassadors of our city: they are fantastic, honest, successful and they represent the positive aspects of the city".
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