The athletes
Olympic medallist and IOC member Frank Fredericks set the tone for the first theme, “The Athletes”, by illustrating the power of sport with a personal example. “Sport changed my life. What I am today is because of what sport has given me. What I have built, what I have discovered, what I have achieved is thanks to sport” he said. “We have a responsibility to the younger generation to let them know that taking part in sport is a wonderful life experience”, he continued.
As IOC President Jacques Rogge declared, “this Olympic Congress will go down in history as that of young people and the athletes!” In his view, the number one priority for the whole Olympic Movement should be to defend the interests of young people and athletes.
The 66 recommendations from the Olympic Congress include proposals to better protect the physical and mental health of the athletes, to ensure their safety and to help them prepare for their career transition. The delegates also called for the creation of a commission to address issues pertaining to coaches, trainers and members of the athletes’ entourage.
You can access the texts of each speaker, their presentation (if available) and the video of each session by clicking the links below.
PLENARY SESSION
Frank Fredericks Keynote speaker
Felipe Munoz Kapamas NOC representative
Alexander Popov IOC representative
Lamine Diack IF representative
DISCUSSION SESSIONS
1) RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE ATHLETES, THE CLUBS, FEDERATIONS AND THE NOCS
Nawal El Moutawakel IOC representative
Carlos Arthur Nuzman NOC representative
Robert H. Storey IF representative
Yaping Deng Stakeholder representative
2) HEALTH PROTECTION IN TRAINING AND COMPETITION
Arne Ljungqvist Moderator
Rania Elwani IOC representative
Robin E. Mitchell NOC representative
Philip Craven, MBE IF representative
Claudia Bokel Stakeholder representative
3) THE SOCIAL AND PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF ATHLETES DURING AND AFTER ELITE COMPETITION
Hicham El Guerrouj IOC representative
Sergey Bubka NOC representative
Pat McQuaid IF representative
Pernilla Wiberg Stakeholder representative