HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 144TH OLYMPIC SESSION

It was a busy and emotional week in Costa Navarino, in the Peloponnese region of Greece, for IOC President Thomas Bach, who chaired his final Session before bringing an end to his 12-year tenure. The 144^th IOC Session was preceded by a meeting of the IOC Executive Board (EB).

Delivering a message of “Values first”, President Bach opened the 144^th IOC Session on 18 March in the International Olympic Academy, right next to the site of ancient Olympia in Greece, where the Olympic Games were born almost 3,000 years ago. The ceremony was attended by the newly elected President of Greece, Constantine Tassoulas.

“The Olympic Games and the values they represent have endured for millennia,” the IOC President said. He stressed that: “it is these values that make the Olympic Games unique. As guardians, it is our duty to unite around these values. These values that should always remind us: we are part of something greater than ourselves. This is why we always have to put values first. This is our responsibility: to carry these values with humble dignity and pass them on to the next generations.” Read his full speech here.

Thomas Bach, whose term as IOC President will end in June this year, also pointed out: “On rare occasions, we experience moments when we feel like the stars are aligning. Gathering in Ancient Olympia for the opening of an IOC Session is such a rare moment. Today, we can feel our past, our present and our future aligning.”

Ancient Olympia holds an even deeper significance, because the heart of the IOC’s founder, Pierre de Coubertin, rests here for eternity. Thomas Bach explained: “In this way, the timeless Olympic spirit – ancient and modern – surrounds us, urging us to reflect and act on our shared responsibility as guardians of this historic Olympic heritage.”

He closed his speech by saying: “With our hearts full of faith in the future, let us honour our roots and let us shape an even brighter tomorrow for our beloved Olympic Movement.” Read the full news release here.

The highlight of the 144^th IOC Session was the election of Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe as the 10th IOC President and the first female President in IOC history, following 1 round of voting. Coventry was chosen over fellow presidential candidates HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein, David Lappartient, Johan Eliasch, Juan Antonio Samaranch, Lord Sebastian Coe and Morinari Watanabe.

President-elect Coventry said: “I am incredibly honoured and excited to be elected as President of the International Olympic Committee! I want to sincerely thank my fellow members for their trust and support. “The young girl who first started swimming in Zimbabwe all those years ago could never have dreamt of this moment. “I am particularly proud to be the first female IOC President, and also the first from Africa. I hope that this vote will be an inspiration to many people. Glass ceilings have been shattered today, and I am fully aware of my responsibilities as a role model. “Sport has an unmatched power to unite, inspire and create opportunities for all, and I am committed to making sure we harness that power to its fullest. Together with the entire Olympic family, including our athletes, fans and sponsors, we will build on our strong foundations, embrace innovation, and champion the values of friendship, excellence and respect. The future of the Olympic Movement is bright, and I can’t wait to get started!”

After the election, IOC President Thomas Bach said: “Congratulations to Kirsty Coventry on her election as the 10th IOC President. I warmly welcome the decision of the IOC Members and look forward to strong cooperation, particularly during the transition period. There is no doubt that the future for our Olympic Movement is bright and that the values we stand for will continue to guide us through the years to come.”

Kirsty Coventry will succeed the ninth IOC President, Thomas Bach, whose 12-year tenure will officially end after Monday 23 June 2025. News release here.

Thomas Bach was elected Honorary President for Life of the IOC, a position he will take up when his term of office as IOC President ends after 23 June 2025. The IOC Members accepted the proposal unanimously as they rose in a standing ovation after the proposal was made to the 144^th IOC Session by IOC First Vice-President Nicole Hoevertsz on behalf of the IOC Executive Board. Presenting the proposal, Mrs Hoevertsz explained: “Under President Bach’s visionary leadership, Olympic Agenda was successfully implemented over the years which certainly has not been a small feat. By doing so, we could say that, in essence, President Thomas Bach played a crucial role in modernising the Olympic Movement and ensuring its relevance in the 21^st century”. Continuing, Mrs Hoevertsz said: “For the past 12 years, as we know, President Bach has served as the guiding force of the Olympic Movement, with his unwavering commitment to the ideals of sport and international cooperation. During his tenure, President Bach navigated the complex landscape of global sports with remarkable resilience and foresight. […] He consistently highlights Coubertin’s belief that sport transcends national boundaries and serves as a powerful instrument for fostering harmony among people. His dedication to the Olympic values has inspired generations of athletes and instilled a sense of hope and possibility in communities around the world. He leaves an indelible mark on the Olympic Movement, strengthening its foundation for generations to come.”The full news release can be found here, including some quotes from IOC Members, and the President’s acceptance speech.

On the first day of the Session, IOC Members celebrated the achievements of the Olympic Agenda. In a series of presentations, the highlights of the Olympic Agenda reforms and their impacts on the IOC and the wider Olympic Movement were outlined. They included a 30-minute film showcasing the success of the reforms, with powerful testimonials from individuals, celebrities and organisations who had been positively impacted. Full news release here.

The reforms of Olympic Agenda have created a solid long-term financial base for the IOC, with commercial revenues up by 60 per cent since 2012. This is all the more impressive given that the period of implementation of the reforms coincided with a very challenging economic situation in the world. The Consolidated Financial Statements of the IOC as at 31 December 2024 can be consulted here. Read also the full news release here.

Boxing will be included on the sports programme of the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 (LA28). This decision was approved by the 144^th IOC Session on the basis of the proposal from the IOC EB, following the recommendation from the Olympic Programme Commission, and the provisional recognition of World Boxing as the IF within the Olympic Movement governing the sport of boxing at world level. Full details here.

Just over a year after the Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Gangwon 2024 drew to a close, the IOC Coordination Commission, chaired by Hong Zhang, delivered its final report to the 144^th IOC Session, underscoring the Games’ resounding success. As the largest Winter YOG to date, Gangwon 2024 welcomed 1,802 young athletes from 78 NOCs, providing an exceptional platform for competition and athletes’ development while reinforcing the legacy of the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018. Full details here.

The Organising Committees for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 and French Alps 2030, and the Olympic Games LA28 and Brisbane 2032, all reported to the IOC Session, on their progress and preparations. Find out all the details here.

With the fourth Summer Youth Olympic Games now less than two years away, Dakar 2026 chaired by Mamadou Ndiaye, presented its latest progress report to the 144^th IOC Session. The report highlighted key developments in preparation for the first Olympic sports event on African soil. The report underscored progress in venue construction and refurbishment, workforce development, and the growing momentum of youth engagement initiatives across Senegal. Detailed info here.

The Session elected Pierre-Olivier Beckers-Vieujant as a Vice-President and Spyros Capralos and Octavian Morariu as members of its EB. The Session also re-elected Emma Terho and Kristin Kloster as EB members and elected Tony Estanguet as an IOC Member. A number of other membership elections were also held: the re-election of 10 IOC Members within the age limit; extension of the term of office for one Member; approved the change of status for three Members; election of two Members as Honorary Members; election of two personalities as Honour Members; and re-election of two members of the IOC Ethics Commission. Read here for full details.

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, has been officially selected to host the IOC Session in 2027, following a vote by IOC Members during the 144^th IOC Session. This marks the first time the Dominican Republic will host this gathering of the IOC membership, and a return of the Olympic Movement to the Caribbean 38 years after the 95^th IOC Session in Puerto Rico in 1989. Full news release here.

The 144^th IOC Session hailed Paris 2024 as landmark moment for clean sport. Addressing the IOC Members, ITA Chair Dr Valérie Fourneyron highlighted how Paris 2024 had set a new standard, with the most rigorous clean sport programme ever implemented. World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) President Witold Bańka also commended the work of the ITA, as well as International Federations and Anti-Doping Organisations worldwide, in the lead-up to the Olympic Games Paris 2024. Full news release here.

Before the Opening Ceremony of the Session, the IOC President held a bilateral meeting with the President of Greece, Constantine Tassoulas. Earlier, the two leaders had taken part in a symbolic tree-planting ceremony, planting an olive tree in the garden of the Old Town Hall in Ancient Olympia, along with Hellenic Olympic Committee President Isidoros Kouvelos and the Mayor of Ancient Olympia, Aris Panagiotopoulos.

On the sidelines of the 144^th Session, President Thomas Bach attended a screening of the documentary film ‘Pierre de Coubertin: An Olympic Life’, produced by IOC Member Anant Singh. The film pays tribute to the founder of the modern Olympic Games.

The 144^th IOC Session was preceded by a meeting of the IOC Executive Board (EB) on 17 March, chaired by IOC President Thomas Bach.

On this occasion, the EB approved the Qualification System Principles (QSP) for the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028. The QSP are designed to help the IFs in the development of their individual qualification systems, and to be consistently applied across all sports. The QSP for LA28, which was approved today, reflect those successfully put in place for the Olympic Games Paris 2024, and can be found here. Development of the individual sport qualification systems will begin in April. More info here.

The EB also decided that the initial sports programme of the Olympic Games Brisbane 2032 will be determined at an IOC Session in 2026. Independently of that, the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee will have the opportunity, at a date still to be decided, to propose one or more additional events from new sports, once the initial sports programme is finalised. Full info here.

The recently created Organising Committee for the Olympic Winter Games (OCOG) French Alps 2030 gave its first presentation to the EB. In the context of the timelines set by the IOC EB, to which the election of the French Alps by the IOC Session was subject, the French government confirmed its strong commitment to the project. The EB also noted the positive preparation steps already taken, in addition to the creation of the OCOG and the appointment of Edgar Grospiron as its President on 18 February 2025. Full details here.

By approving the Participation Principles for the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026 (available in full here), the IOC EB reinforced the event’s commitment to universality, gender equality and strong African representation. The revised participation and entry process aligns with the strategic priorities of the NOCs and IFs, ensuring an inclusive and merit-based athlete selection system. Full info here.

In addition, the EB approved the Anti-Doping Rules applicable to the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 and the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026. Both documents were finalised with the support of the International Testing Agency (ITA) and approved by the IOC Legal Affairs Commission and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Full details here.

MEMBERS

IOC Member Dr Robin Mitchell has been appointed as Chair of the IOC Health, Medicine and Science Commission. He took up his post on 1 January 2025, succeeding Prof. Uğur Erdener, who had led the IOC Medical and Scientific Commission since 2014. Dr Robin Mitchell has extensive experience in the field of sports medicine, having been a member of several medical commissions, including World Athletics, the International Hockey Federation and ANOC. He also represented the IOC on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s Foundation Board. Full news release here.

IOC Member Mustapha Berraf was re-elected President of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) during the ANOCA General Assembly held at the end of last week in Algiers, Algeria. His new mandate runs until 2028. Filomena Fortes, also an IOC Member, was elected as ANOCA 2^nd Vice-President and Habu Ahmed Gumel, IOC Honorary Member, was reconfirmed as ANOCA Treasurer General. More info in the “Recognised Organisations” section.

OLYMPIC MUSEUM

The Olympic Museum in Lausanne and the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum have unveiled the “Olympic Heritage | Artists in Residence Programme”, a groundbreaking initiative merging art, sport and digital innovation. The programme invites two emerging international artists to take part in two-month residencies in either Doha or Lausanne, culminating in pioneering artworks to be exhibited as part of the Cultural Olympiad of the Olympic Games LA28. The residencies will provide artists with exclusive access to the museums’ collections, dedicated studio space and mentorship from leading curators and artists. Full details here.

INTERNATIONAL FEDERATIONS

SUMMER IFS

World Sailing

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death of Line Markert, World Sailing Vice President, on 17 March, following a plane crash in Switzerland. Her partner, Andreas Christensen, and their son also died in the accident. Line Markert served as President of the Danish Sailing Association from 2017 until 2024, and as Board Member for three years prior to her appointment. She was a partner at a leading law firm in Denmark since 2011 and a Board Member at the Foundation Aarhus International Sailing Centre. More info here.

World Athletics

On the eve of the World Athletics Indoor Championships Nanjing 25, the International Fair Play Committee (CIFP) in partnership with World Athletics is inviting fans across the world to nominate events that epitomise the spirit of fair play, with a view to recognising one standout athlete or moment at the World Athletics Awards later this year. Full info about the Fair Play Award here.

NATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEES

Argentinian NOC

The NOC has organised the Advanced Course in Sports Management (MOSO – Management of Olympic Sports Organisations), a training programme under the auspices of Olympic Solidarity, for the past 12 years. Its aim is to enhance and improve the management skills of staff working in sports organisations. The traditional graduation ceremony for the 2024 cohort was recently held at the NOC headquarters, attended by key figures including NOC President Mario Moccia. During the event, the 53 students of the 2025 MOSO cohort were officially presented. To date, more than 400 participants have successfully completed the programme. All the details can be found here.

Dominican Republic NOC

The NOC’s Women and Sport Commission organised a conference on the theme of Leadership and Work at the Irma Sánchez Bidó School in Villa Riva. The event, held in coordination with the San Francisco de Macorís Sports Union, was attended by people involved in sports and physical education, as well as local coaches. Topics discussed included the role of women in sport, gender equality, and the importance of teamwork. The commission’s president, Dulce María Piña, highlighted the NOC’s commitment to promoting sport and implementing programmes that encourage equal participation. The conference was funded by Olympic Solidarity. More details here.

Guatemalan NOC

The NOC, in coordination with the Autonomous Sports Confederation of Guatemala, has launched Desafío 2025: Strategy and Effort with Passion – a key event aimed at preparing and supporting athletes for the 2025–2028 Olympic cycle. Bringing together over 400 athletes and coaches from various national sports federations and associations, the event marked the start of a new challenge, beginning in 2025 with major competitions such as the World Games in Chengdu, the Junior Pan American Games in Asunción, the Central American Games in Guatemala and the Bolivarian Games in Lima. Details here.

RECOGNISED ORGANISATIONS

Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA)

The ANOCA Executive Committee (EXCO) and the 22nd ANOCA General Assembly were held from 13th to 15th March in Algiers, Algeria. During the ANOCA EXCO meeting, a special resolution was approved, officially thanking the IOC for its support for the development of sport in Africa through the Olympic Solidarity programmes. The ANOCA GA was officially opened by ANOCA President and IOC Member Mustapha Berraf in the presence of Algeria’s Minister for Sport, Walid Sadi. A video message from the IOC President was also broadcast. The representatives from the 54 African NOCS heard reports about World Boxing, the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026, the Olympafrica Foundation, upcoming editions of the African Youth Games, the IOC and Olympic Solidarity, and the African Beach Games, to name just a few. A new ANOCA Executive Board was elected for 2025-2028. Prior to these two meetings, the Association of African Olympic Sports Confederations (CASOL) also met for the first time in Algiers under the leadership of its Chairman, Hamad Kalkaba Malboum, in the presence of ANOCA President.

Finally, the official dinner of the 2024 African Olympic Awards, which were broadcast on national television, was held to honour the best African athletes, coaches and leaders who produced superb performances at the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

International Association for Sports and Leisure Facilities (IAKS)

24-03-2025-2025-Architecture-Prize-Grafik

The 2025 IOC IAKS Architecture Prize for sustainable, accessible and innovative sports and leisure facilities has been launched. This competition is organised jointly by the IOC and IAKS, with the IAKS taking responsibility for the event’s organisation and staging. The closing date for entries is 30 April 2025 and the prize-giving ceremony will take place on 28 October 2025 as part of the international IAKS Congress in Cologne, Germany. More info here.

International Sports Movies TV Federation (FICTS)

Franco Ascani, FICTS President, led the students enrolled in the Master Maspes (Management of Sport and Sports Events) of the University of Milan-Bicocca to a day of study in Lausanne. Ascani is also President of the Advisory Board of the Master Maspes. At the Olympic Museum, the group visited the archives, the special publications collection and the video library of the Olympic Studies Centre. A highlight of the visit was a ceremony in which Olympic gold medallist Marino Vigna (Rome 1960 – track track, team pursuit) donated his Olympic jersey to the Museum and signed the Olympians’ Wall at Olympic House in the presence of Marco Riva, President of the Regional Olympic Committee of Lombardy, and Francesco Ricci Bitti, former President of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF). Info at www.sportmoviestv.net

World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)

WADA has published a list of members of its Foundation Board and Executive Committee for 2025. Read it here.

Source: IOC

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