International Olympic Committee : News

Registration opens for the 2014 IOC World Conference on Prevention of Injury and Illness in Sport

5/3/2013 3:00:00 PM

The speakers will provide evidence-based information on how to prevent injuries and other health problems in sport. This includes a multidisciplinary perspective on epidemiology, risk factors, pathophysiology and injury mechanisms.

Save your place now and register here

One of many highlights promises to be the opening lecture by the dynamic pairing of Prof Dohmnall Macauley and Prof Karim Khan, BMJ/BJSM editors. Other keynote speakers and topics include Paul McCrory on concussion, Benno Nigg on running injuries, Evert Verhagen on how digital and mobile platforms will influence athlete care, Andrew McIntosh on technology and equipment in sport, Juan Manuel Alonso on hamstring injury prevention and Caroline Finch on injury surveillance and rule changes.

Click here to read the second announcement, which contains the detailed scientific programme with speakers

IOC President Jacques Rogge said: “After a first successful edition held in Monaco in 2011, the IOC World Conference on Prevention of Injury & Illness in Sport is more than ever the ideal platform for a thorough and constructive exchange of views, taking into consideration the latest research on illnesses and injuries in sport.” He added: “Through such a Conference, our objective remains to take concrete measures to implement new and improved injury prevention strategies, and thus maximise safe sports participation for high-level and recreational athletes alike.”

Learn more about the Conference on the official website

Last call for registrations for the IOC Advanced Team Physician Course

A few places are still available for this year’s edition of the IOC Advanced Team Physician Course which will take place from 22 to 24 May 2013 in Saltsjöbaden, Sweden. Organised by the IOC in collaboration with the world’s leading experts in the field of sports medicine, the course is geared towards the practical issues of working with high-level athletes in a team sports setting. Thirty high-level speakers will present case studies during plenary lectures, panel discussions and working groups.

The course will present new evidence on diagnosis and treatment and address topics such as overuse injuries; prevention of recurrent injuries; concussion; knee, hip and shoulder injuries; paediatric training and cardiology and health protection.
Places are limited and open to team physicians as well as to a limited number of experienced sports physical therapists. Sign up now and learn more at http://www.ioc-preventionconference.org/atpc2013/

Background information

Health risks are inherent to the practice of sport, and protecting the wellbeing of the athletes is a key priority for the IOC. Through its Medical Commission, chaired by Professor Arne Ljungqvist, the IOC has initiated and supported research on various topics related to athletes’ health, with the ultimate goal of improving injury and illness prevention. The IOC also records and analyses all athlete injuries and illnesses that occur in competition and/or training at the Olympic Games to gain further knowledge about the effectiveness and weaknesses of existing programmes.

Eliminating and preventing violence against women and girls through sport

3/13/2013 1:16:00 PM

“Violence against women and girls is endemic to nearly all societies, and it takes many forms, both physical and psychological”, said DeFrantz. She added: “Violence is at the extreme end of a continuum that includes gender-based discrimination, taunts and sexual harassment. We cannot eradicate violence against women without eradicating the discriminatory attitudes that condone or even encourage it. Sport and its values are valuable tools to address and improve self-esteem, body control, leadership and assertiveness - all being elements which can contribute to tackle violence.”

Fighting sexual harassment and sexual abuse in sport

DeFrantz also explained that sport itself may be affected by violence against women and girls: “Unfortunately, the world of sport is not immune to the problem that we are here to address, or to the behaviours that lead to gender-based violence. The IOC has been at the forefront of efforts to eliminate sexual harassment and sexual abuse in sport. Its commitment to this issue is fully aligned with the IOC’s belief that the practice of sport is a human right that cannot be denied on the basis of gender, race or sexual orientation. The Olympic Charter declares that ‘every individual must have the possibility of practising sport, without discrimination’.”

Learn more about the IOC’s initiatives in this field here www.olympic.org/sha and here http://sha.olympic.org.

No single solution

DeFrantz concluded: “Sport has an important role to play in preventing violence against women and girls. It is not the only answer. There is no single solution to the pervasive problem of gender-based violence. Eliminating and preventing violence against women and girls will require deploying all available assets, including sport. It will require more cooperation and partnerships among individuals and organisations with a commitment to this cause. It will require assistance from governments and educational institutions. While being mindful of the many challenges that women face to access sport and to eradicate gender-based violence in sport, the International Olympic Committee is committed to this effort and will continue to work within sport, and with partners outside sport, to promote the cause of gender equality and eliminate sexual harassment, abuse and violence. Together, we can make a difference and provide a brighter future for our daughters, granddaughters and generations to come.”

Read the full speech here.

Registration opens for IOC Advanced Team Physician Course

3/5/2013 3:29:00 PM

Organised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in collaboration with world-leading experts in the field of sports medicine, the course is geared towards the practical issues of working with high-level athletes in a team sports setting. Thirty high-level speakers will present exciting case studies during plenary lectures, panel discussions and working groups.

The course will present new evidence on diagnosis and treatment and address topics such as overuse injuries; prevention of recurrent injuries; concussion; knee, hip and shoulder injuries; pediatric training; and cardiology and health protection. A social programme will facilitate discussions and networking outside the scientific sessions.

Arne Ljungqvist, Chairman of the IOC Medical Commission and guest of honour, said, in anticipation of the event: “Let us keep our minds sharp and enjoy and learn a lot from each other during our journey together.”

Places are limited and open to team physicians as well as to a limited number of experienced sports physical therapists. Sign up and learn more at www.ioc-preventionconference.org/atpc2013/

First ever IOC Manual of Sports Injuries

2/6/2013 7:35:00 AM

The editor, Roald Bahr, a Professor at the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre and a member of the IOC Medical Commission’s Medical & Science group, explains: “This book is really meant to be a handy, practical tool, for the office or for your bag when accompanying your athletes in training or competition. It is about taking care of your athletes in the best way possible.”

The book embraces a problem-oriented approach to lead the reader through the assessment and management of injuries in sport and physical activity. Covering the various body regions and distinguishing between common and rarer injuries, the manual follows a trajectory from history-taking and physical examination to diagnosis and treatment, providing clear and actionable guidance on managing the most common injuries and disorders.

Arne Ljungqvist, Chairman of the IOC’s Medical Commission and an IOC Honorary Member said: “The level of illustrations, over 500 in total, is unique and enables an easier understanding of the different injury types, treatments and latest insights. It is a first-of-its-kind publication and will surely benefit many athletes and their medical support groups around the world.”

Learn more about the IOC Manual of Sports Injuries here

Background information

Whilst there are many health benefits of sport, there is also an inherent risk of injury, especially in high-level sport. Through its Medical Commission, the IOC has initiated and supported research on various topics related to athletes’ health, with the ultimate goal of improving injury and illness prevention. The IOC also records and analyses all athlete injuries and illnesses that occur in competition and/or training at the Olympic Games to gain further knowledge about the effectiveness and weaknesses of existing programmes.

Doping documentary wins best sports programme prize

11/21/2012 5:23:00 PM

A must-see documentary for anyone interested in sports, society, business and the human mind, the documentary explores the subject of doping controls, examines the war against doping and speaks to those involved on all sides: scientists, lawyers, special agents, athletes, sponsors, winners and losers.

The story is told by the world’s foremost expert in anti-doping, Prof. Arne Ljungqvist, an honorary member of the International Olympic Committee and Chairman of the IOC Medical Commission. Followed by the programme’s makers over a three-year period, Ljungqvist reveals the extent of the battle against doping as he tracks sports cheats around the world in the run-up to the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The programme delves into some of the most infamous cases of doping over the past 40 years, including Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson, the Balco scandal in the US, women’s swimming at the 2000 Olympic Games and a blood doping scandal in 2006, revealing hitherto unknown details of sport’s battle against the drug cheats.

Ljungqvist provides the programme not just with an historical view but also an up-to-date picture of the war on doping, how detection technology is improving all the time and what the future holds.

The IOC honorary member and former Olympic high jumper says his is not merely a quest to track down cheats: “[It’s] to help kids and coming athletes to avoid the chemical shortcut to misery.”

Producer Bjorn Bertoft of Matiné Film & Television, the independent production company behind “The War On Doping, added:

“[The documentary] is a historical overview of an ongoing phenomenon. In our hearts we feel that doping in sports is cheating, but we are not chasing scandals or individual athletes in order to track them down for punishments. We understood at an early stage that this film cannot give final answers, so we hope that by telling a story end by raising questions, we can contribute to a situation where better judgments will be made anyway.”

For more information, visit the documentary’s website: www.thewarondoping.com

Experts discuss concussion in sport

11/5/2012 9:29:00 AM

The objective of the two-day event, held at FIFA’s headquarters, was to discuss and find a consensus on the best way to manage and prevent cases of concussion in sport.

Concussion, which is one of the most common injuries in sport with potential serious long-term consequences on the health of athletes, was until recently under-diagnosed and treated. It is now fully recognised as a very serious health threat, and a number of sports federations are taking measures to protect athletes from adverse effects and to ensure that players recover adequately following an incident.

The main objective of last week’s expert discussions is to develop very practical, simple, easy-to-use tools that could be applied for coaches and for paramedical personnel on the sidelines and in grassroots sport, where there is little medical attention.

“Many of the 204 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) that the IOC is involved with have issues with head injuries and that’s why we are really trying to put funding into research in this area because we are trying to plug this lack of knowledge – that’s why we’re having these meetings,” said Lars Engebretsen, the IOC’s head of science and research.

Professor Jiri Dvorak, FIFA’s Chief Medical Officer, said: “The three previous concussion conferences stimulated us to perform research studies which allowed us to convince the International Football Association Board to adapt the Laws of the Game to punish incidents which cause concussion, such as an elbow to the head, with a red card. This has led to a significant decrease in cases of concussion. If we compare the 2002 FIFA World Cup to the 2010 FIFA World Cup, we helped to cut the frequency of concussions and head injuries by half.”

The conference saw representatives from the IOC, FIFA, the NFL, the NHL, the IRB, the IIHF, the FEI, and the Australian Football League share their experience and ideas on new prevention, detection and treatment measures, with the aim of finding a common approach to this serious issue for both professional and amateur sports organisations.

The topics discussed were sideline assessment of concussion, diagnosis and return to play, difficult case management, management of paediatric concussion, long-term problems and knowledge transfer and education.

The final consensus statement paper on concussion, for which this conference provided important input, will be published in spring 2013.

1,000-strong anti-doping unit fighting to keep the Games clean

7/30/2012 4:38:00 PM

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is responsible for the testing programme executed during the period of the Games, which end on 12 August, with the local organisers implementing all practical methods of collecting and sealing samples in compliance with the international standards. Some 5,000 tests (3,800 urine and 1,200 blood) will be carried out in total, a record for an Olympic Games. Almost every second athlete will be tested, including every medallist. In addition, random and unannounced tests based on intelligence will be conducted during the period of the Games. As of today, 1,461 tests have been conducted.

Testing of the samples is taking place at the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)-accredited laboratory, located on the premises of the GlaxoSmithKline facilities in Harlow, using state-of-the-art technologies. The facilities are operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A team of more than 150 anti-doping scientists from several countries are carrying out the testing, led by Professor David Cowan from the Drug Control Centre at King’s College London.

Quantity, quality both on the rise

“We have been stepping up our fight against doping at each edition of the Olympic Games,” said IOC Medical Commission Chairman Arne Ljungqvist. “We conducted about 4,000 tests in Beijing and 5,000 here in London. But the numbers aren’t as important as the quality. And the quality has improved significantly thanks to intelligence and information, which has helped us test based more on solid information rather than simply testing at random.”

The IOC has announced one doping case and one provisional suspension so far during London 2012. Albanian weightlifter Hysen Pulaku tested positive on 23 July for stanozolol. Uzbek artistic gymnast Luiza Galiulina provided a urine sample on 25 July that tested positive for the prohibited substance furosemide.

Zero tolerance

The fight against doping is a top priority for the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which has established a zero-tolerance policy to combat cheating and to punish anyone responsible for using or providing doping products.

The IOC works closely with a variety of partners in the Olympic Movement, including WADA, National Olympic Committees (NOCs), and International Federations (IFs), in addition to the local authorities in Olympic host countries. To that end, the IOC asks that IFs and NOCs intensify their testing and other anti-doping efforts in the build-up to the Games. This strategy proved to be very effective prior to the Beijing 2008 and Vancouver 2010 Games, leading to a drop in doping cases at both editions compared to earlier Games.

For more information, please consult the following factsheet and Video News Release.

Experts discuss athletes’ injuries ahead of London 2012

5/30/2012 6:58:00 PM

This week 140 experts from 28 countries will gather in Oslo, Norway, to discuss challenges related to their work with high-level athletes in a team sports setting. With less than two months to go until the London 2012 Olympic Games, the 4th IOC Advanced Team Physician Course offers the opportunity to address controversial topics where agreement may not exist and to present new evidence on diagnosis and treatment.

Over three days, 25 experienced speakers will talk about topics ranging from “Working as a team physician – challenges and strategies” to “The underperforming athlete: causes and management” and special injury patterns. The programme has been developed further since previous editions, featuring pre-prepared clinical cases to foster interactivity and participation.

The course has been jointly organised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center and Olympiatoppen.

Lars Engebretsen, consultant to the IOC’s Medical and Scientific Department and member of the Programme Committee, said: “We all know about the many health benefits of sport, but we are also aware that sport – and especially high-level sport - has an inherited risk of injury. Protecting the health of the athletes has been the IOC’s number one priority for a long time. By gathering together team physicians and experts in this field, we want to enable an exchange of expertise that should ideally result in optimal treatment of injuries with high-level athletes, a reduced risk and an increased prevention.”

Dr Frederik S. Bendiksen, Chairman of the Organising Committee, said: “The aim is that the experienced delegates leave the 4th IOC Advanced Team Physician Course better prepared to deal with challenging injuries, helping our athletes to improve their ultimate outcome when injured”.

Learn more about the 4th IOC Advanced Team Physician Course in Oslo

Conference on injury and illness prevention deemed a success in Monaco

4/11/2011 5:50:00 PM

The 2011 IOC World Conference on Prevention of Injury and Illness in Sport came to a successful conclusion on 9 April in Monaco.

The meetings, described by some as the most constructive yet for researchers in the field, were attended by 940 delegates from 85 countries and included 5 keynote lectures, 21 symposia, 39 workshops and 64 oral presentations.

The Conference was the first organised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and was attended by IOC members HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, IOC Medical Commission Chairman Prof. Arne Ljungqvist, and Dr Robin Mitchell.

Experts exchanged the latest news and advancements in the prevention of illness and injury in athletes; and several symposia on the implementation of the field’s current knowledge showed that the message and penetration are improving.

“Without fit and healthy athletes there would not be any exciting Olympic Games,” said Professor Ljungqvist. “They are our most cherished assets. It is, therefore, a top priority for the IOC to keep the athletes as healthy and as fit as possible.

“Thankfully, the number and quality of experts working in this field are impressive, and we can all see that we are making major strides in many areas. This all bodes well for athletes everywhere.”

A three-day Advanced Team Physician Course preceded the main Conference and was attended by 140 participants from 48 countries. The goal of the course was to provide knowledge and insight on sports medicine to National Olympic Committee (NOC) physicians.

One day was devoted to the work being undertaken by International Federations (IFs) and their chief medical officers, and the IOC was pleased to learn that the transfer of knowledge between the IFs is vibrant and transparent.

In addition, the Medical and Science group of the IOC Medical Commission held a half-day meeting to discuss their strategies for the protection of athletes and the use of sport to improve people’s health.

While there are many health benefits that can be derived from sport, there is also an inherent risk of injuries, especially at elite level. The IOC has initiated and supported research on various topics related to the health of athletes, with the ultimate goal being a significant reduction in injuries and illnesses.

The IOC records and analyses all athlete injuries and illnesses that occur in competition and/ or training at the Olympic Games to gain further knowledge about the effectiveness and weaknesses of existing prevention programmes.

###

For more information, please contact the IOC Communications Department:
Tel: +41 21 621 6000 e-mail: pressoffice@olympic.org, or visit our web site at www.olympic.org

Videos

YouTube: www.youtube.com/iocmedia

Photos

For an extensive selection of photos available shortly after each event, please follow us on Flickr
To request archive photos and footage, please contact our Images team at: images@olympic.org

Social media

For up-to-the-minute information on the IOC and regular updates, please follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

IOC Injury and Illness Prevention Conference kicks off in Monaco

4/7/2011 11:00:00 AM

The 2011 IOC World Conference on Prevention of Injury and Illness in Sport was opened today by HSH Sovereign Prince Albert II in Monaco and Arne Ljungqvist, Chairman of the IOC Medical Commission. In the next three days, recognised scientists and practitioners from the medical and sports worlds will exchange views and present the newest findings in how to best protect the athletes’ health in sports training and competition.

The objective is to transfer academic knowledge to the field of play and thus minimise risk factors in sport and maximise safe sports participation. The scientific programme covers a wide range of topics, featuring as many as 94 invited speakers for keynote lectures and symposia at the three-day Conference.

Research for the benefit of the athletes

After the opening of the Conference, Arne Ljungqvist stated: “The health of the athletes clearly is one of the IOC’s top priorities. It is encouraging to see so many experts from all around the world coming together to share their latest insights in the field of injury and illness prevention in sport. During the last 10 years, we have witnessed a tremendous increase in this important field of research – with specialised groups being formed in several countries. Last year, the very best of these research centres were recognised by the IOC for their excellent and invaluable work. We have asked them to work together and gather more knowledge on sports injuries and prevention methods which should benefit all of us in our work.”

Learn more about the Conference at www.ioc-preventionconference.org.

Background information

Whilst there are many health benefits of sport, there is also an inherent risk of injuries, especially in high-level sport. Through its Medical Commission, the IOC has initiated and supported research on various topics related to athletes’ health, with the ultimate goal of improving injury and illness prevention. The IOC also records and analyses all athlete injuries and illnesses that occur in competition and/or training at the Olympic Games to gain further knowledge about the effectiveness and weaknesses of existing programmes.