International Olympic Committee : Press Releases

2016 candidate cities brief IOC members

The four candidate cities bidding to host the Games of the XXXI Olympiad in 2016 - Chicago (USA), Tokyo (Japan), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) and Madrid (Spain) [1] – were all at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne (Switzerland) today to give a technical briefing to the 93 members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), who were present for the event. Today’s presentations, which resulted in dozens of detailed questions, will be followed tomorrow by an opportunity for members to ask more follow-up questions to each city about their projects, as well as giving the media an opportunity to meet with each of the Candidate Cities.

IOC President Jacques Rogge said, “Since my election in 2001, we have been making a concerted effort at the IOC to improve our transfer of knowledge capacities and to ensure that the evaluation process continues to be clear and offers criteria from which the cities can be evaluated. The fact that we have four cities with very strong projects bidding for the 2016 Games is testament to that work and to the success of recent editions of the Games. As part of the natural evolution of our effort, today’s briefings are allowing us to continue to bring more transparency, fairness and professionalism to the evaluation process, which has been underlined by the active participation of my fellow members.”

The briefings come closely on the heels of the four-day visits of the IOC’s Evaluation Commission, led by IOC Member Nawal El Moutawakel, to each of the Candidate Cities. The Commission is now in the process of producing its evaluation report, which will be distributed to the IOC members no later than one month before election day. The final vote will be held in Copenhagen (Denmark) on 2 October 2009.

Evaluation Commission Chairwoman Nawal El Moutawakel noted, “The Evaluation Commission and I have just spent April and May visiting each of the four Candidate Cities, getting a good understanding for each of the projects and looking at the reality on the ground. These briefings will complement perfectly the Commission’s report and will ensure that all IOC members with a vote in October have access to the information that they need to evaluate the cities in the best way possible.”

This is the first time that the Candidate Cities have had the opportunity to brief the members in such a way and this evolution comes from the IOC’s evaluation process of previous bid procedures, where it was felt that another opportunity to present the technical elements of a bid to the IOC members would be appreciated by all involved. Approved by the Executive Board at its meeting in Beijing (P.R. China) in April 2008, this addition to the evaluation of the Candidate Cities shows the IOC’s willingness to learn and improve on the bidding process and also to ensure that members are able to make their decision based on the most complete information possible.

IOC Olympic Games Executive Director Gilbert Felli commented, “Under the leadership of President Rogge, the IOC has developed a strong focus on the transfer of knowledge between Games, in order to ensure that the Games remain as the number one sporting event in the world. The bid process is also a part of that, and there was a strong feeling, following the 2014 bid, that a technical meeting like today’s would be useful for all concerned. We have taken that feedback on board and all the Candidate Cities now have an additional opportunity to make their case in detail, on an equal platform and in a less formal way than at the Session at which the host city is elected.”

[1] Cities are listed in the order of drawing of lots.

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NOTES TO EDITORS:

The presentations are scheduled to conclude at 17:30 CET, so some media assets may not be available until after this time.

Further information on the 2016 Bidding Process can be found here:

2016 Bid Process:

www.olympic.org/2016

2016 Evaluation Commission and Biographies: http://www.olympic.org/uk/news/media_centre/press_release_uk.asp?id=2805

Evaluation Commission Visits:

http://www.olympic.org/uk/news/olympic_news/full_story_uk.asp?id=2840

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Watch an interview of the IOC President Jacques Rogge on the candidature procedure for 2016

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For further information, please contact the IOC Communications Department, Tel: +41 21 621 60 00, email: pressoffice@olympic.org

IOC reaches 2014-2016 broadcast rights agreement with ASBU

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) today announced an agreement with the Arab States Broadcast Union (ASBU) for the broadcast rights in the Middle East for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games and the Games of the XXXI Olympiad in 2016.

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The ASBU has acquired the rights across all broadcast platforms, including free-to-air television, subscription television, internet and mobile phone, in the following territories: Algeria, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

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The ASBU and its members have committed to a minimum of 200 hours� exposure for the Olympic Games in 2016 and to a daily 52-minute highlights programme at prime time for the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter�Games on terrestrial, over-the-air television.

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IOC President Jacques Rogge said: �The ASBU has been the IOC�s broadcast partner in the region since 1976 and has shown a great commitment to the Olympic Games and the Olympic Movement. We are delighted to be able to extend our partnership with the ASBU for a further four years�.

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Commenting on the deal, IOC Executive Board member Richard Carri�n, who led the negotiations said: �This agreement will ensure Olympic fans across the region will be able to see the Olympic Games on a media platform of their choice. We look forward to continuing our successful relationship with the ASBU.�

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Speaking about the agreement, ASBU Director General, Salah Eddine Maaoui, said: �We highly commend and value this great achievement which will further enhance our successful partnership with the IOC and will allow us to contribute to maintain the universal character of the Games and, in particular, to be accessible to the widest possible television audience free of charge. We extend our warmest thanks to the IOC team for the frank and productive discussions that led to this deal and we pledge our commitment to work for the widest exposure of the Olympic Games in the ASBU region and for the enhancement of the Olympic values�.

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For further information, please contact the IOC Communications Department, Tel: +41 21 621 60 00, email: pressoffice@olympic.org

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To contact ASBU:� ASBU Director General�s Office,Tel +216 71�842�633, email: moufida.limam@asbu.net, a.suleiman@asbu.net

The IOC takes action against the NOC of Kuwait

The Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decided today to suspend the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Kuwait, effective 1 August 2009, in order to protect the Olympic Movement in Kuwait from interference by the Kuwaiti public authorities.

This deferred suspension allows time for the public authorities responsible for sport in Kuwait to amend a national sports law currently in force that is not compatible with the principles and rules of the Olympic Movement. The law prevents the NOC and the Kuwaiti Olympic Movement as a whole from complying with the principle of autonomy of sports organisations as set out in the Olympic Charter.

The IOC, together with the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and the Kuwait Olympic Committee, has tried for nearly two years to find an appropriate and concerted solution with the local and government authorities in Kuwait. However, the IOC was informed that the government authorities were not in a position to respect their commitments within the set deadline.

Consequently, on the basis of the provision of the Olympic Charter (Rule 28.9 in particular), and in order to protect the Olympic Movement in Kuwait, the IOC Executive Board ruled as follows:

The Kuwait Olympic Committee will be suspended on 1 August 2009 if, by 31 July 2009 at midnight (CET), the process of amending the local law is not duly finalised, as per the agreements signed and the written commitment from the Kuwaiti authorities.

“It is critical that this situation is resolved as soon as possible for the sake of sport, and in particular the Kuwaiti athletes,” said Pere Miró, Director of the IOC’s Department of NOC Relations “I am hopeful that satisfactory measures will be put into place before the 31 July deadline in order to avoid the implementation of such a sanction.”

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NOTES TO EDITORS:

Rule 28.9 of the Olympic Charter states that “the IOC Executive Board may take any appropriate decisions for the protection of the Olympic Movement in the country of an NOC, including suspension of or withdrawal of recognition from such NOC if the constitution, law or other regulations in force in the country concerned, or any act by any governmental or other body, causes the activity of the NOC or the making or expression of its will to be hampered.”

The mission of the IOC is to promote Olympism throughout the world and to lead the Olympic Movement. The Olympic Charter states that NOCs must preserve their autonomy and resist pressure of any kind — including, but not limited to, political, legal, religious or economic pressures — which may prevent them from complying with the Olympic Charter.

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For further information, please contact the IOC Communications Department, Tel: +41 21 621 60 00, email: pressoffice@olympic.org

Press Conference of the IOC President Jacques Rogge

16 June 2009 - See the press conference of the IOC President Jacques Rogge (32 minutes)

The Executive Board (EB) of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will meet in Lausanne on 15 and 16 June 2009. The primary focus will be the presentation to the EB of the seven candidate sports vying to enter the Olympic sports programme. The EB will also hear the reports from IOC commissions and directors, as well as updates on preparations for the forthcoming Olympic Games in Vancouver, London and Sochi, and the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore and Innsbruck.

Seven sports seek to join the Olympic programme

Seven sports presented their vision for inclusion in the Olympic Games programme today in a series of briefings for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board. The seven sports — baseball, golf, karate, roller sports, rugby, softball and squash — are vying for two programme slots at the 2016 Games.

After reviewing the merits of all seven, the Executive Board should recommend two for inclusion at its next meeting in August. The IOC Session will make the final decision at its meeting in October, scheduled in conjunction with the Olympic Congress.

“All seven sports made interesting and informative presentations. All have something to offer. In the end, the decision will come down to which are the best fit for the Olympic programme,” said IOC President Jacques Rogge.

The presentations to the Executive Board are part of a broader effort by the IOC to strengthen the Olympic programme and improve the evaluation process.

The reforms began with the decision, in 2002, to conduct a systematic review of the Olympic programme after every edition of the Games to ensure that it remains exciting and relevant. Sports have to show merit to join the programme and to remain on it. At the time the reforms were adopted, no sport had been dropped from the programme since 1936.

The IOC also agreed, in 2002, to limit the number of sports in the Games of the Olympiad to 28. There are currently 26 sports on the programme, leaving two slots open.

Other changes approved two years later added more transparency and fairness to the evaluation process. The IOC established 33 criteria, with an emphasis on universality, popularity and image.

The Olympic Programme Commission, composed of IOC members, representatives of International Federations and National Olympic Committees as well as experts, oversees the evaluation process. The examination of sports seeking to join the programme also includes on-site visits to actual competitions. The Commission will deliver a report assessing the candidate sports to the Executive Board in August.

“The fact that so many sports want to be on the Olympic programme reflects the global appeal of the Games. It is important to have a well-defined, transparent evaluation process that is fair to all,” said Franco Carraro, Chairman of the Olympic Programme Commission.

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NOTES TO EDITORS:

Further Information on the Olympic programme and the evaluation process:

The Sports of the Olympic Programme

The Olympic Programme Commission

The Programme Evaluation Criteria

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Watch the press conference 15 June 2009 (approx 30 minutes)

View a video of the IOC President on the Olympic sports programme

For further information, please contact the IOC Communications Department, Tel: +41 21 621 60 00, email: pressoffice@olympic.org

IOC and Atos Origin extend partnership to 2016

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) today announced an extension to its current partnership with Atos Origin through to 2016, including the XXII Olympic Winter Games (2014) in Sochi, Russia, and the Games of the XXXI Olympiad (2016).

Atos Origin has been a key technology provider for the Olympic Movement since becoming the Worldwide Information Technology Partner in 2001.

IOC President Jacques Rogge welcomed the extension to the Olympic partnership and the continued involvement of Atos Origin in the Olympic Games. “The Olympic Games would not happen without the use of Information Technology.” Rogge said. “We rely on Atos Origin’s world class expertise and experience, and I am absolutely delighted to announce that the IOC will continue its partnership with Atos Origin for a further four years through to 2016”.

Gerhard Heiberg, Chairman of the IOC Marketing Commission, said, “Atos Origin has been a TOP Partner for over eight years and has already committed to partnering with the Olympic Movement through to 2016. The association of its brand with the Olympic Games, as well as its proven capability to deliver major IT solutions, has brought its organisation global recognition.”

Jean-Benoît Gauthier, IOC Director of Technology, said Atos Origin had played a critical role in the success of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, “Atos Origin is able to work with different stakeholders and technology partners, bringing them together to provide a seamless IT solution for the Olympic Games. Atos Origin has demonstrated its ability to deliver a very complex IT system for the Olympic Games on time and to budget through several editions of the Games. In Beijing this process involved years of preparation, over 4,000 IT experts, and 200,000 hours of testing. I’m delighted we will able to rely on Atos Origin for at least another four years.”

Thierry Breton, Chairman and CEO of Atos Origin, said, “We are particularly proud of our long-term partnership with the International Olympic Committee - a relationship based on enduring trust. We will continue to surpass ourselves from one Olympiad to the next, and will commit to deliver high level services as part of our mission for the Olympic Games. Managing this highly complex project and bringing together all the necessary cutting-edge technologies require a unique expertise - the ability to optimally combine processes, technologies and the skills of both our staff and of other partners".

For further information, please contact the IOC Communications Department, Tel: +41 21 621 60 00, email: pressoffice@olympic.org

To contact Atos Origin: Marie-Tatiana Collombert, Tel: + 33 1 55 91 26 33,
email: marie-tatiana.collombert@atosorigin.com

About the International Olympic Committee

The International Olympic Committee (IOC), created in 1894, is a non-governmental organisation with volunteer members who represent its work around the world, and an administrative staff based in Lausanne, Switzerland. The IOC and its 205 National Olympic Committees worldwide promote the Olympic Movement, whose vision is to contribute to building a peaceful and better world by educating youth through sport. In addition to selecting the host city and coordinating the staging of the Olympic Games, the IOC and NOCs collaborate with a range of organisations and their members in the public and private sectors to place sport at the service of society. The main goal is to promote the values of Olympism, which include excellence, respect and friendship.

The host city of the 2016 Olympic Games will be announced at the 121st IOC Session, to take place in Copenhagen, Denmark, in October 2009.

Worldwide Partners currently confirmed for Vancouver 2010 and London 2012 are:

Coca-Cola, Acer, Atos Origin, GE, McDonald’s, Omega, Panasonic, Samsung and Visa.

Atos Origin, Panasonic and Samsung have extended their partnership until 2016.

Coca-Cola’s partnership continues through to 2020.

About Atos Origin

Atos Origin is an international information technology services company. Its business is turning client vision into results through the application of consulting, systems integration and managed operations. The company's annual revenues are EUR 5.5 billion and it employs over 50,000 people in 40 countries. Atos Origin is the Worldwide Information Technology Partner for the Olympic Games and has a client base of international blue-chip companies across all sectors. Atos Origin is quoted on the Paris Eurolist Market and trades as Atos Origin, Atos Worldline and Atos Consulting.

As the Worldwide IT Partner for the Olympic Games, Atos Origin is responsible for developing, running and securing key information systems for the Games, including:

- Core Games management systems for accreditation, workforce management, medical services, sports entries and athletes’ qualification

- The Games Info system for the collection and dissemination of all competition data on the Intranet and Internet to the world’s media

- Operations management of pre-Games central operations, management of the Technology Operations Centre, and coordination of the IT systems at all Games venues

- Security of the Games IT infrastructure