• Creation of the IOC Athletes' Commission in 1981. This Commission delegates representatives to all the other IOC commissions; it is involved in the process to select the Olympic host city; and meets with the IOC Executive Board at least once a year to submit its recommendations.

• Studies performed by the IOC Medical Commission during the Olympic Games into traumatology and injury prevention. Research by the Medical Commission and the IFs on preventing injury and optimising performance through the analysis of movements.

• Creation in 1983 of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which became fully independent in 1993. This is an international court which handles the legal problems encountered by athletes. Its procedure is universally applicable, and is simple, quick, flexible and inexpensive.

• Creation of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in 1999 to combat the scourge of doping in sport and protect the health of the athletes. WADA is an independent body, but the IOC paid US$25 million towards setting it up, and covers 50% of its annual budget.

• Creation of the World Olympians Association (WOA) in 1995 to promote relations between Olympic athletes all over the world and spread the Olympic values.

• Respect for the environment by requiring cities bidding to host the Olympic Games to specify the environmental protection measures they intend to take.