Former judoka, member of the IOC Executive Board since last year, Irishman Patrick Hickey was re-elected last Friday for a new four-year term at the head of the Association of European Olympic Committees (EOC). He answered questions from FrancsJeux.
FrancsJeux: What were the highlights and notable decisions of the EOC General Assembly last week in Rome?
Patrick Hickey: For the members of the 49 European National Olympic Committees, the very fact of coming together, to discuss the opportunities and challenges ahead, was in itself a strong moment. Our discussions were strengthened by the presence of the new IOC President, Thomas Bach, who opened our assembly with an important speech. I was also particularly happy that the former president of the EOC and IOC, Jacques Rogge, was among us. An important step was taken in Rome: for the first time during a General Assembly, we were able to attend a report on the preparations for the first European Games, which will be held in Baku in 2015. This event will improve the performances of European athletes at the Olympic Games and to open new sources of income for our NOCs.
Europe is coming out strong in the race for the 2022 Winter Games. But what do you think will happen for the 2024 Summer Games?
It is positive to see that new European sports markets – beyond traditional strongholds – are applying to host the Games. The introduction of the European Games should support this trend because whatever the host country – I am also setting up a working group to advise us on the best process for selecting a host city in 2019 – it will develop significantly its experience in terms of accommodation and sports infrastructure. This process will provide these countries with an excellent launching pad towards a bid for the Olympic Games, if they wish to host them one day.
In your opinion, what will be the main changes that the IOC should experience under the Thomas Bach era?
Predicting developments at the IOC is difficult because, ultimately, it is up to the members to decide which changes should come into effect. Thomas Bach is a great visionary, he will listen to everyone before implementing his reforms. I think that he has been, until now, very clear on the subjects that he is particularly passionate about and that he may wish to reform. To name just two, I would say that he is determined to continue to strengthen anti-doping measures and to preserve the autonomy of sport.
Olympic Solidarity aid to the European Olympic Committees was approximately $25 million for the period 2009-2012. How was this money used?
I would first like to express to you, on behalf of our 49 member NOCs, our gratitude for having been able to benefit from Olympic Solidarity funds between 2009 and 2012. The European NOCs were seriously affected by the financial crisis during this period and these funds have supported us significantly. This money has been spent and distributed thoughtfully and wisely, so that our activities and those of the member NOCs can be carried out successfully. This was achieved in parallel with a rationalization of our management practices, which made it possible to reduce the burden of bureaucracy that the European NOCs had to manage.
What do you think of the initiative of the French-speaking Olympic Committees to form an association?
French is one of the official languages of the IOC and the Olympic Charter states that it must prevail in the event of a discrepancy with English. The French language therefore constitutes a large part of the IOC’s identity. Bringing together French-speaking NOCs within a common organization will help the French-speaking network and develop the exchange of ideas between NOC members.
Photo: (c) European Olympic Committees
