The formula may surprise you. At least in form. The IOC unveiled on Monday February 15, via a long press release, its new strategic roadmap for the next five years. It hides behind a mathematical identity: Agenda 2020+5.
Those most aware of the subtleties of the Olympic movement will have understood: it bears the mark of Thomas Bach. His brand and even, come on, his determination to mark the history of the IOC and its world.
Elected to the presidency of the Olympic body during the Buenos Aires session in September 2013, the German leader immediately drew up a first roadmap: Agenda 2020. It was to accompany the Olympic movement until the Tokyo Games. . And, implicitly, until the end of Thomas Bach's first eight-year mandate.
Now assured of returning for a second – and final – four-year lease, since he is the only candidate, the IOC president is preparing for a shorter-term future. His second Agenda will lead the Olympic movement until 2025, the year when Thomas Bach hands over the keys to the presidential office for good.
The new IOC roadmap draws a lot of inspiration from the first, but with the aim of anchoring it in the world after. She is designing a more sustainable future for the Olympic movement, more connected, more focused on youth. And, let's not forget the safe bets, the more fortunate.
The 15 recommendations contained in the 37-page document are based on the trends likely, according to the IOC, to be “ decisive in the post-coronavirus world, without forgetting the areas where sport and the values of Olympicism can play a key role in transforming challenges into opportunities. »
They are in a few words: solidarity, digital growth, sustainability, credibility, and finally resilience in the face of the financial and economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Unsurprisingly, the IOC once again expresses in Agenda 2020+5 its determination to rejuvenate its audience. With a target, already mentioned many times: digital. Virtual sports will be taken into account in the Olympic program. But, be careful, it's not about video games. Not yet.
The body specifies: the eSport disciplines likely to one day enter the Games must be accompanied by real physical effort. Virtual events, therefore, such as the international cycling, rowing or archery federations, for example, have offered them in recent months.
Another strong point: the representation and rights of athletes. Cautious, the IOC remains vague on the details. He is careful not to suggest a thorough reform, or even a repeal, of rule 50 of the Olympic Charter, according to which athletes are not allowed to express a political, racial or religious opinion at the Games. But one of its recommendations calls for better involving athletes in the direction and decision-making of the bodies of the Olympic movement. It is also proposed to create an athletes' department within the IOC.
By 2025, the IOC would also like to see the international calendar undergo an in-depth overhaul, for example by organizing Olympic qualifying events during events bringing together several sports. Obviously, the model of the multisport European championships, the second edition of which is to be held in Munich in 2022, seems very popular in Lausanne.
Finally, Thomas Bach suggests that the Olympic movement should work on “ innovative models » to find income. One of the avenues could consist of better marketing the marketing rights of the numerous qualifying events for the Games.
« When we adopted Olympic Agenda 2020 in 2014, we did so under the adage “change or be changed”. This remains true today, explains Thomas Bach. The world around us continues to evolve. Nothing illustrates this better than the current global COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences for society. As difficult as the circumstances may seem right now, if we draw the right conclusions, we can turn them into opportunities. To do this, we must address this future environment without delay. »
According to the IOC count, no less than 88% of the 40 recommendations of Agenda 2020 have already been implemented. Its 2020+5 version has only 15. But they promise to be more difficult to achieve.
The new IOC strategic roadmap will be submitted for examination and adoption at the next session of the body. It is scheduled to take place from March 10 to 12 in virtual mode.
