IOC Executive Board wraps up first day of meetings in PyeongChang

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board (EB) today concluded its first day of meetings in PyeongChang, Republic of Korea, presenting a list of 12 principles to support the fight against doping and highlighting Rio 2016’s legacy achievements.

Fight against doping

Already in October 2015, the Olympic Summit proposed an independent anti-doping testing and sanctioning system. In particular, after the publication of the interim report by Prof. McLaren in July 2016, a broad public debate started about the future of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Anti-Doping System. Having followed closely and participated in this debate, the IOC Executive Board today emphasised the Olympic Movement perspective of a more robust and independent anti-doping system. The IOC would like to implement a list of 12 principles in a dialogue and close cooperation with WADA and its stakeholders.

Rio 2016 legacy

Watched by an audience in the billions and relayed around the globe by record-breaking media coverage and unprecedented levels of digital engagement, the athletes of the Olympic Games Rio 2016 inspired the world with their athletic achievements. Against a backdrop of economic, political and social challenges, Rio 2016 also set new standards for legacy planning, with a number of projects already leaving an important legacy to the city and its citizens. A factsheet summarising some of Rio 2016’s legacy achievements is available here.

IOC Executive Board Meeting March 2017 PyeongChang IOC/Greg Martin

Gender equality

The IOC Executive Board approved the proposed Gender Equality Review Project, put forward jointly by the IOC Women in Sport Commission and the IOC Athletes’ Commission. The project aims to raise awareness of the importance of gender equality in the Olympic Movement and will develop tangible recommendations and guidelines for actions. Led by Chairperson Marisol Casado, the composition of the proposed Working Group of the Gender Equality Review Project was also approved by the Executive Board. A full report and recommendation is expected by December 2017.

Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires 2018 - Change of dates

The IOC Executive Board approved a request to change the dates of the YOG Buenos Aires 2018, from 1-12 October 2018 to 6-18 October 2018, in order to optimise weekend days by including one additional weekend, which is expected to improve local engagement and more participation in the Buenos Aires 2018 Celebrates programme and in the current concept for the Opening Ceremony.

PyeongChang 2018 - Rule 40

Regarding Rule 40, the Executive Board decided to maintain the same approach for the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018 as for the Olympic Games Rio 2016. As background information, ahead of Rio 2016, the IOC EB simplified the implementation of Rule 40 to allow generic (non-Olympic) advertising during the period of the Games, in order to take into account the important support that personal sponsors provide to those athletes who have them, whilst protecting Olympic partners’ rights and further preventing ambush activities.

Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022

The Executive Board received an update on the preparations of the Beijing 2022 Organising Committee. These preparations remain a priority for the Chinese government, as reflected by the recent visit of President Xi Jinping of China to the IOC in January. It was reported that the launch of the Beijing 2022 Marketing Programme took place successfully in Beijing.