Eleven months after meeting in Costa Navarino, Greece, the IOC convened its 145th Session at the Allianz Tower in Milan on February 3 and 4. In addition to the traditional presentations from the Coordination Commissions for the upcoming Games (Milan-Cortina 2026, Los Angeles 2028, Alps 2030, Brisbane 2032, Utah 2034), intended to provide an update on the preparations for each event, Kirsty Coventry reiterated the importance of the "Fit for Future" consultation process and confirmed that major changes are expected soon. Francs Jeux Here's a summary of the essentials.
"Never remain still"
Kirsty Coventry set the tone: If we want to stay strong, we must push our own limits. We must be honest about what works and, more importantly, about what doesn't. And when we make mistakes, we must have the courage to say: we'll do better next time. "The IOC president called for..." Maintain the mindset of an athlete: always learn, always improve, never stand still To maintain the strength of the Games, We must continue to evolve, (…) it would be dangerous to rest on our laurels. First and foremost: the sports program. Coventry emphasized the importance of to take a fresh look at our sports and disciplines, in order to ensure that we evolve with the times ».
Acknowledging that difficult choices will have to be made. Any change will have repercussions for all of us: athletes, International Federations, National Olympic Committees, organizers, fans, and so on. With "Fit for the Future," we are creating the space needed to have these discussions openly and respectfully, to listen to every voice, and to make decisions that serve the long-term interests of the Games as a whole. I know these discussions can be, and may well be, uncomfortable, but they are essential if we want the Games to remain strong for generations to come. »
Karl Stoss, the chairman of the Commission for Future Hosts of the Winter Games, has stated his priority: ensure that the Olympic sports program is balanced, relevant, future-oriented and sustainable "And this will begin with the French Alps 2030 program, which must be finalized by June." We are studying the possibilities of crossover between summer and winter sports in order to better understand the opportunities and implications “, he said. " We know that we won't be able to please everyone " he warned. Stoss also raised the idea of starting the Winter Olympics in January, so that the Paralympic Games could take place in February rather than March, in order to benefit from better snow conditions.
The Youth Olympic Games will also be affected by change. As Danka Hrbekova, chair of the YOG working group, stated, analyses are being conducted on two options for the future of the event after 2030: repositioning the YOG as a high-level sporting event (at a lower cost to the IOC) or switching entirely to decentralized YOG with continental Youth Games on all five continents. Our research is still ongoing "She explains, emphasizing the imperative to evolve." For the Youth Olympic Games, it was change or be cancelled. We want to ensure we have the best possible Youth Olympic Games for the future. »
Is it acceptable to add pineapple to your pizza?
Thoughts gave way to emotion Wednesday morning when Emma Terho stepped down as chair of the IOC Athletes' Commission. The Finn received a warm round of applause, congratulations, and thanks from several IOC members. Sarah Walker, Spyros Capralos, Sari Essayah, Tricia Smith, Maja Martyna Wloszczowska, Yael Arad, Sergei Bubka, Danka Hrbekova, and Nicole Hoevertsz all praised her leadership and vision in ensuring that athletes' voices were heard. Emma Terho left the podium after emotional embraces with Kirsty Coventry and Thomas Bach. There was also a touch of humor when the voting system was tested with the question: "Is it acceptable to add pineapple to your pizza?" To which 46 members answered yes, and 49 no.
The subsequent, more serious votes resulted in the election of Ingmar De Vos, Jae Youl Kim, and Neven Ilic to the IOC Executive Board. Juan Antonio Samaranch, a presidential candidate last year, was re-elected vice-president for a second four-year term. Olympian Soraya Aghaei, who competed in the badminton tournament in Tokyo in 2021, was officially inducted as an IOC member. She is the sole representative of Iran among the 107 members of the organization. Women now comprise 44,9% of the assembly, and 40,2% of all members are Olympians (18 women, 25 men).
Eleven members were re-elected: Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani Amir, Prince Feisal, Jiri Kejval, Samira Asghari, Daina Gudzineviciute, Camilo Perez, Felicite Rwemarika, William Blick, Andrew Parsons, Morinari Watanabe, and Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck. An exception to the age limit was approved, allowing Karl Stoss and Anant Singh, who will turn 70 in 2026, to remain members until 2030 in recognition of their contributions to IOC commissions. Stoss has also joined the Ethics Commission.
Finally, the Session allowed for amendments to the Olympic Charter. Not to open the door to winter sports that are not practiced on snow or ice (that may come later), but to " clarify the definition and design standards relating to the creation of Olympic emblems ", and thus strengthen the protection of the Olympic brand. An example? The mascots." Any mascot created for the Olympic Games will be considered Olympic property, and its design must be submitted by the Organizing Committee for the approval of the IOC Executive Board., we read in the new version of the Charter. The Organizing Committee will ensure the protection of the property rights to the emblem and mascot of the Olympic Games for the benefit of the IOC, at the national and international level. »
