The International Olympic Committee (The IOC)

The Olympic Games is the best known and the most famous sporting event in the world. It takes place every four years in a different specified city each time. For a city to be awarded the Olympic Games there is a long bid process whereby different cities bid against each other to be awarded the privilege of hosting the games.

The Olympic Games in 2012 are to be held in London.

As there is much tradition surrounding the Olympic Games and the core values of the Olympic Movement it is necessary for the structure surrounding the games to be set in stone by legislation.

The Olympic Charter

What is the Olympic Charter?

The Olympic Charter is the document which brings together the Fundamental Principles, Rules and Bye-laws adopted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The full role of the International Olympic Committee is set out in the Olympic Charter.

The Olympic Charter governs the organisation and running of the Olympic Movement and sets in stone the conditions by which the Olympic Games are held and celebrated.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC)

What is the International Olympic Committee (IOC)?

The International Olympic Committee is the supreme authority for the Olympic Movement.

The IOC ensures that there is full collaboration between all of the parties of the Olympic Family such as the National Olympic Committees (NOC’s), the International Sports Federations (IF’s), the athletes participating in the games and the Organising Committees for the Olympic Games (OCOG’s).

The IOC thus ensures the regular celebration of the Olympic Games, supports all affiliated member organisations of the Olympic Movement and strongly encourages the promotion of the Olympic Values.

What is the main role undertaken by the International Olympic Committee?

The role of the IOC is set forth in the Olympic Charter. It includes, but is not limited to, the following:

To encourage and support the promotion of ethics in sport along with education of youth through sport
To promote fair play in sport and rid sport of violence
To encourage and support the organisation, development and coordination of sport and sports competitions
To ensure the regular celebration of the Olympic Games
To act against any form of discrimination affecting the Olympic Movement
To encourage and support the promotion of women in sport at all levels
To lead the fight against doping in sport
To encourage and support measures in order to protect the health of all athletes
To encourage and support the efforts of sports organisations and public authorities to provide for the social and professional future of athletes
To promote and attain a positive legacy from the Olympic Games to the host cities and host countries
To encourage and support initiatives to blend sport with culture and education

Structure of the International Olympic Committee

The IOC is headed by the President of the IOC. Below the President is the Director General who takes responsibility for the administration of the IOC. The Director General runs the IOC with the assistance of the Directors who are at the head of small units which are responsible for dealing with business in their respective sectors of competence.

The respective sectors of the IOC are as follows:

Olympic Games
International Cooperation and Development
Finance
Administration
Sports
Relations with National Olympic Committees
Technology
Communications
Information Management
Television and Marketing Services
Medical and Scientific
Legal
Olympic Museum
Olympic Solidarity

The Olympic Movement

What is meant by the Olympic Movement?

The Olympic Movement is comprised of the following constituent bodies:

The International Olympic Committee
The International Federations
The National Olympic Committees

The International Federations and international non-governmental organisations administering sport at world level encompassing organisations administering sport at national level. The National Olympic Committees are designed to develop, promote and protect the Olympic Movement in their home countries. They are the only organisations which can select and designate the city which can apply to organize the Olympic Games in their respective country.

What is the main objective of the Olympic Movement?

The main goal of the Olympic Movement is to contribute to building a peaceful and better world through sport. This is achieved by educating youth without discrimination of any kind, in a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play.

Furthermore the Olympic Movement undertakes the following other objectives:

To promote sport and competitions through national sporting associations
Assistance to develop “Sport for All”
Advancement of women at all levels of sport
The fight against doping in sport
Promoting sports ethics and fair play
Financial and educational support to developing countries


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