The Olympic Games is the longest-running, and the most famous sporting event in the world, and can be traced back to 776BC. It takes place every four years in a different specified city in a different country each time. For a city to be awarded the Olympic Games, there is a long bidding process where different cities bid against each other to be awarded the privilege of hosting the games.
The Olympic Games in 2020 are due to be held in Tokyo, Japan.
Given the history and tradition surrounding the Olympic Games, and its core values, the structure and regulation surrounding the games is governed by rules and guidance (the Olympic Charter) and legislation.
The Olympic Charter is the codification of 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 is the authority for the Olympic Movement and is made up of volunteers. The IOC ensures full collaboration between all of the parties of the Olympic Family such as the National Olympic Committees (NOCs), the International Sports Federations (IFs), the athletes participating in the games, and the Organising Committees for the Olympic Games (OCOG’s).
The IOC therefore facilitates 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.
The role of the IOC is set out in the Olympic Charter, including:
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 responsible for dealing with business in their respective sectors of competence.
The respective sectors of the IOC are as follows:
The Olympic Movement comprises the following constituent bodies:
The International Federations and international non-governmental organisations administer 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 organise the Olympic Games in their respective country.
The main goal of the Olympic Movement is to help build a peaceful, 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 also undertakes the following objectives:
Nicola is a dual qualified journalist and non-practising solicitor. She is a legal journalist, editor and author with more than 20 years' experience writing about the law.
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