International Olympic Committee : News

YOG graduate Chad Le Clos makes a splash in Rio

4/12/2013 11:25:00 AM

This was clear for all to see during Chad’s first visit to Rio, in March, where the next Summer Olympic Games will take place in 2016. Invited to participate in a swimming masterclass for local youngsters, the YOG graduate was joined by his inspiration, YOG Ambassador Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, and 10-time Brazilian Paralympic champion Daniel Dias at the Rocinha Sports Centre in Rio’s largest favela.

Following Chad’s epic victory at the London 2012 Olympic Games, where he claimed the gold medal over his role model in the men’s 200m butterfly, the swimmer remains level-headed and doesn’t forget where it all started. Admitting that expectations for him in Rio 2016 are high, Chad re-iterates that “the Youth Olympic Games were a huge-stepping stone” for him, and helped him enormously in preparing for his first Olympic Games in London.

Will we see “the next Chad Le Clos” at the second Summer Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China, in 2014? Stay tuned!

A Look Back At London 2012

12/21/2012 12:42:00 PM

The excitement and expectation began to build long before the first athletes moved into the Olympic village in July. On 18 May the Olympic Flame set down on British soil, beginning the torch relay that swept around the country and allowed everyone the opportunity to share in the occasion. Eight thousand inspiring individuals took part, from sporting legends such as Dame Kelly Holmes and fellow Olympian Sir Steve Redgrave to those nominated for their work in the local community.

And when five steel rings unified to create the Olympic symbol during Danny Boyle’s opening ceremony, an electricity was created that reverberated around the globe connecting people from all four corners for the following two weeks.

Athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees rose to walls and waves of sound as unprecedented levels of support inspired outstanding performances and records tumbled. On the track, Usain Bolt’s double triple [100m, 200m and 4x100 relay gold for the second time], David Rudisha’s unforgettable 800m and heroics from home favourites Jessica Ennis and Mo Farah set the 80,000 capacity Olympic Stadium alight.

In the pool, Michael Phelps graciously rose from Olympic waters for the last time, taking an incredible 22 medal haul with him – 18 of them gold. And in the velodrome Sir Chris Hoy won his sixth gold medal to become the most decorated British Olympian of all time, while Stephen Kiprotich of Uganda won the marathon on the final day of events.

The positive repercussions from hosting the Games will be felt across the UK’s capital for decades to come, thanks to the regeneration of the area and the legacy created by the state of the art stadiums and facilities such as the Velodrome and the Aquatics centre. But London 2012 has also been a catalyst for social changes throughout the UK, triggering a number of initiatives to capitalise on the enthusiasm generated and encourage people to get involved. London 2012 was an Olympic Games that pervaded the boundaries of sport the world over, and is one that will not be quickly forgotten.

Russia hold firm for opening win

12/6/2012 9:28:48 PM

The Europeans, who were silver medallists at the Beijing 2008 Games, were cruising to the points in Group A as they led 19-11 in the early exchanges of the second half, but a golden spell by the African champions saw them level at 23-23.

However, Russia regrouped and flexed their muscles to get over the finishing line by a three-goal margin, Liudmila Postnova top-scoring with five goals and Liudmila Bodnieva, Tatiana Khmyrova and Ekaterina Davydenko all grabbing four.

Angola's performance was underpinned by five goals from Isabel Guialo.

In the second match of the morning session, Republic of Korea comfortably saw off Spain 31-27 in Group B, which was something of a surprise result.

Eun Hee Ryu was chief destroyer for Korea with nine goals, while Carmen Martin Berenguer notched seven for the Spaniards.

IOC honours broadcasters for London 2012 coverage

11/30/2012 9:14:00 AM

Entries were reviewed by an international jury headed by IOC Member and Chairman of the Coordination Commission for London 2012, Denis Oswald. The winners received their prizes in Lausanne in the presence of IOC President Jacques Rogge. Members of the IOC Radio and Television Commission were also in attendance, along with representatives from the rights-holding broadcasters, the Organising Committees for the Olympic Games in London, Sochi and Rio, International Federations and the city of Lausanne.

Gold, silver and bronze trophies were awarded in five categories: Best Olympic Sports Production by Olympic Broadcasting Services, Best On Air Promotion, Best Olympic Feature, Best Athlete Profile and Best Olympic Programme.

It was NBC’s night as the broadcaster scooped three gold medals, including a win in the Best Olympic Programme category for its overview programme “The Games of the XXX Olympiad”. It also won gold for Best On Air Promotion and in the Best Olympic Feature its film “Measure and Motion” also took a gold medal. NBC was also runner-up in the Best Athlete Profile category, receiving a silver medal for its feature on David Rudisha, the Kenyan runner who won the men’s 800 metres in London in a new world-record time.

Created in 1976, the Olympic Golden Rings is a prestigious international contest through which the IOC seeks to promote and recognise excellence in television broadcasting of the Olympic Games. The contest is organised every two years, on the occasion of the Summer and Winter Games, under the aegis of the IOC Radio and Television Commission.

The full list of awards (title / director / producer), in order of presentation on the night, was as follows:

The Best Olympic Sports Production by Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS)
Gold: Sailing / Christopher Lincoln / Gary Milkis, Ursula Romero
Silver: Canoe Kayak-Slalom / Jaime Garrido Rubira / Ursula Romero
Bronze: Rowing & Canoe/Kayak-Sprint / Matthew Coliandris / Makoto Nakamura

The Best On Air Promotion
Gold: NBC “The Games of the XXX Olympiad – NBC On-Air Promotion” / John Miller / Joseph Lee, Roger Guillen
Silver: Foxtel “Foxtel on Platform TVC” / Ash Bolland / Graham Burrells, Chantal Walker
Bronze: ZDF “Olympia Live” / Anke Scholten / Severine Rapp

Special Award
“MDS” Multi Channel Distribution Service / Kostas Kapatais, Jorge Pickering

The Best Olympic Feature
Gold: NBC Olympics “The Games of the XXX Olympiad ‘Measure and Motion’ / Mark Levy, Brian Brown, Joe Gesue, Philip Parrish
Silver: Sky Italia “Mosaico Olimpico” / Francesco Zupi
Bronze: ZDF “Olympia Live” / Anke Scholten / Nils Kaben

The Best Athlete Profile
Gold: TV Record “Sarah Menenzes – Piaui’s Pride” / Douglas Tavolaro / Thalita Leite, Fábio Harbacher, Marcos Cabral, Odair Marquesolo, Cristina Luckner, Ivana Perecin
Silver: NBC Olympics – “David Rudisha” / Jack Felling, Brian Longenecker
Bronze: ESPN Latin America “Pursuing a Dream – Miguel Correa and Ruben Rezola” / Carlos Sepiurca / Mariano Welch

The Best Olympic Programme
Gold: NBC Olympics “The Games of the XXX Olympiad” / Bucky Gunts / Mark Lazarus, Gary Zenkel, Jim Bell, Mark Levy, Joe Gesue, Molly Solomon, Rebecca Chatman
Silver: BBC Sport “Super Saturday” / Paul Davies / Carl Hicks, Dave Gordon
Bronze: Nine Network Australia “London Live – Day 16” / Shane Street, Alex Rolls / Steve Crawley, Lesley Tapsall, Tim Cleary, Matthew Callander, Brent Williams

Jacques Rogge: "Early legacy planning key to producing long-term benefits"

11/21/2012 8:00:00 AM

The final Olympic Games of my 12-year term as president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) were received with great fanfare this summer in London. Evidence of their success continues to reach me almost daily in the form of the question: “Were they the best Games in history?”

As much as it would please me to simply answer in the affirmative, I know such a response would be premature. My reply is always the same: “Let history be the judge.”

I say this not to take anything away from the thousands of people responsible for delivering London 2012, which was clearly an across-the-board success, but to draw attention to the considerable importance the IOC places on legacy – what an Olympic host city leaves behind long after the 16 days of sporting competition are over.

The Olympic Games are the largest sporting event in the world and for most host cities they are the biggest and most complex project they will ever undertake. Their organisation affects the whole of the city and its population and often includes urban, economic, social and environmental development that requires the broad and cohesive involvement of city leaders, regional and national authorities, Games organisers, local communities, commercial partners and all the members of the Olympic Movement.

The IOC actively encourages each city that bids for an Olympic Games to consider from the outset how they could utilize the event to bring positive, long-lasting benefits to its area and citizens. This sort of planning typically begins a decade before the start of a Games.

By the time Chairman of the London 2012 bid committee Sebastian Coe spoke at the host city election in Singapore in 2005, for example, the London organisers already had a firm and highly detailed vision for what they wanted to deliver in 2012 and beyond.

It included the regeneration of a massive industrial wasteland in East London, providing the local community with world-class sporting venues to train and compete in, new parks and residential areas, better transport connections and infrastructure, employment and business opportunities, sustainable construction, an increase in volunteerism, and the creation of the next generation of sporting champions by inspiring young people everywhere to become more involved in physical activity.

The organisation of the London 2012 Games themselves cost around 2 billion pounds, much of which was covered by the IOC and private funds. But the local authorities earmarked a further 9.3 billion pounds to leverage the Games as a catalyst for rapid city development and improvement, both tangible and intangible, that would otherwise have taken decades to achieve.

London 2012 has already delivered on many of its promises and by continuing to pursue others we are optimistic that the citizens of London will benefit from the Games long into the future.

The foundations for London’s achievements in this area were firmly built on the knowledge and expertise of past Olympic Games organisers. Massive urban regeneration projects undertaken by Barcelona 1992 and Sydney 2000, environmental and sustainability standards set by Lillehammer 1994 and Vancouver 2010, and programmes to encourage volunteerism and youth participation by Beijing 2008 are just a few of the success stories from past organisers that London used as a springboard for its own Games.

As the link between past, present, and future host cities, the IOC assists Games organisers through a comprehensive transfer of knowledge programme. Organisers of upcoming Games in Russia (Sochi 2014), Brazil (Rio 2016), and South Korea (PyeongChang 2018) are already benefitting from the programme, which includes an important debriefing that the IOC organises to give future host cities a comprehensive look at what worked well at previous Olympic Games and what could be improved.

This year it was London’s turn to pass the torch at the London 2012 Debriefing in Rio de Janeiro from 17-21 November. The Debriefing focused on all aspects of Games operations, from the moment a bid city wins the right to host a Games to long after the Games conclude. These meetings were also attended by representatives of the 2020 candidate cities Istanbul, Tokyo and Madrid, as well as other stakeholders responsible for staging the Games.

The London organisers had a great deal to pass on to their successors, who were given crucial insight into, among other things, producing and remaining focused on a long-term vision for their Games, the importance of collaboration between all parties during the planning and preparation phases, and ways to integrate the public into the event.

The Debriefing is by no means meant to provide a cookie-cutter template for future hosts. Rather, it is intended to provide valuable lessons that host cities can adopt and adapt to fit their own unique circumstances. We encourage upcoming Games organisers to innovate and expand on what they learn and ultimately improve upon the best practices of their predecessors.

London managed to do exactly that in preparing for and delivering the Games of the XXX Olympiad. It may still be too soon to call them the greatest Games ever, but ask the same question again in 20 years and you might just get a “yes.”

London 2012 technology debriefing ends in Rio de Janeiro

11/16/2012 3:14:00 PM

The London 2012 Olympic Games debriefing, led by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), got underway in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - the next Olympic host city in 2016 - this week, with three days of detailed discussion dedicated to the technology aspects of the Games.

The technology sessions (14-16 November) allowed the LOCOG Technology team and their technology partners, Atos, Omega, Panasonic, Samsung, British Telecom, Ofcom and Airwave, but also representatives from OBS, press agencies, International Federations and the International Paralympic Committee to share their knowledge and experience with representatives from Rio 2016, but also Sochi 2014, PyeongChang 2018 and their respective technology partners.

All other aspects of the Games will be looked at during the second part of the London 2012 debriefing (17-21 November). The final element of the programme (21-22 November) will be specifically for workshops dedicated to the Paralympic Games.

Youth Olympic Games… how the journey continued at London 2012

10/15/2012 12:19:00 PM

Just two years after experiencing the largest sporting stage of their lives at the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games, more than 190 athletes flew the YOG flag in London, and we were there with you, the YOG fans, cheering them on all the way.

Who can forget the ecstatic scenes in the aquatics centre as South Africa’s Chad le Clos claimed gold over his idol, Youth Olympic Games Ambassador Michael Phelps, in the 200m butterfly? Or when Jade Jones of Team GB powered her way to a defining victory in the 57kg taekwondo final to the roars of a home crowd? Or that magnificent run which saw Jessica Fox live up to her nickname “The Flying Fox” and secure silver in the Women’s kayak (K1)?

And then there were those that made history. South Korea’s Jangmi Kim held her nerve to shoot a new Olympic record of 591 and take gold in the women’s 25m pistol; 18-year-old Luguelin Santos of the Dominican Republic became the youngest ever Olympic 400m medallist when he crossed the line in second place; and Sam Oldham joined his teammates in making history as the first British male gymnasts to win a medal in an Olympic Games in 100 years, when they took bronze in the team event.

And that’s just a few highlights! 193 Youth Olympic Games athletes; 25 medals (eight gold, eight silver and nine bronze) and one incredible Games! What a journey it has been from Singapore 2010 to London 2012. The YOG athletes gave it their all to get to London 2012 and put on amazing performances - for the next generation of YOG athletes their journey is just beginning!

Watch this space for news on the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games coming soon!

Behind the scenes at London 2012: Andy Banks

8/15/2012 2:40:00 PM

What is your role at London 2012?
I’m Tom Daley’s coach and a part of Great Britain team of coaches for the 12 divers we have here in London. Tom was involved in the synchronised diving where he just wasn’t able to win a medal, so we will work on that, but in the 10m competition Tom managed to get a medal. With the level of performance out there it’s been pretty tough. Tom works like a Trojan and it’s amazing to see the hard work pay off.

How have you enjoyed playing an integral part in the Games?
It’s been fantastic, especially on home soil. I think the thing that’s going to be my lasting memory of these Olympic Games is the home crowd and the amazing support that they give.

What do you think the Games will do for the country?
It’s really inspired people to take part in sport in general. I’ve seen news bulletins that have shown kids going to velodromes and they’re being turned away because the track is so busy. That, for me, sums up how sport will be affected by the Games – the increased involvement. I think there will be a lasting legacy and hopefully we’ll go to Rio 2016 with some more diving talent. I’m so pleased that we pushed for hosting the Olympic Games.

What’s it like seeing athletes like Tom progress from the Youth Olympic Games to the Olympics?
The Youth Olympic Games is a fantastic idea because it gives young people the opportunity to be involved in a multi-sport event. You get to live in an athletes’ village, there are big food halls, other athletes from different sports and different countries. Tom’s been able to come here and focus on his performance rather than the hype that someone usually feels at their first Olympic Games.

Athletes savour the moment at Closing Ceremony

8/13/2012 1:35:00 PM

As Rio de Janeiro receiving the Olympic flag, athletes discussed what London 2012 had meant to them.

Australian diver Olympian Loudy Wiggins tweeted: “Dreams came true, hearts were broken. 2 weeks of sport where race, age or gender don't matter.”

Having competed in four Olympic Games, Wiggins added: “Shame it's only once every 4 years! #equality”

In a similar spirit, British rower Zac Purchase joked: “I want to do an olympics every day!!”

The silver medalist also posted a panoramic photo of the Stadium from the athletes area, adding: “Thank you everyone for making it so special for us athletes!!”

Former Indonesian swimmer and three-time Olympian Richard Sam Bera, watching the athlete procession from the stands, recalled with some emotion: “I used to be down there…”

Great Britain’s Kelly Holmes, a double gold medalist from Athens, echoed his sentiments, describing the Closing Ceremony as “amazing” and “emotional”.

“The end of a long long journey, pain, personal bests, tears,medals,” she tweeted before adding: “#rio2016 here we come”

The Games may be over, but you can follow your favourite Olympians on the Official Athletes’ Hub. Check it out!

IOC President “happy and grateful” for London 2012

8/12/2012 1:52:00 PM

Speaking at his closing media conference at the Olympic Park, Rogge called the Games “absolutely fabulous,” while singling out the athletes, the city of London, the public, the local organisers and the army of 70,000 volunteers for their important roles in staging the event.
“London has absolutely refreshed the Games in many aspects,” President Rogge said, describing the public as “fantastic” and the volunteers as “marvellous, very helpful, very smiling, very kind and very efficient too.”

“London promised an athletes’ Games and that is exactly what we got,” he continued. “A splendid Olympic Village, state-of-the-art venues, 44 world records, 117 Olympic records and, I would say, history being written by many, many athletes.”

Rogge said the performances of the competitors in London were “a dream for a sports-lover like me,” before identifying what he believed was the defining moment of the Games (the last of six under his 12-year term as President): the tears shed by British cyclist and six-time Olympic gold medallist Chris Hoy when collecting another two golds in London.

Recipe for success

Appearing alongside President Rogge at the media conference was Chairman of the Organising Committee for the London Games Sebastian Coe, who provided the recipe for a successful medal haul at an Olympic Games (Great Britain had won 28 gold, 15 silver and 19 bronze medals at the time of the press conference).

“There are four ingredients for what we’ve witnessed, particularly in British sport in the last few weeks,” Lord Coe said. “Clearly, world-class governing bodies, and we’ve got those; world-class coaching; an extraordinary supply of talent prepared to work harder than anybody else is prepared to work; and, fourthly, high and predictable levels of funding. When you get those four ingredients that come together, you tend to witness what we witnessed in the last few weeks.”
“It has been a splendid couple of weeks,” he added.