IOC Session approves changes to the Olympic Charter as part of the Fit for the Future process
The 146th IOC Session meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland, has approved a series of amendments to the Olympic Charter intended to strengthen the principle of neutrality within the Olympic Movement and to modernise the governance of the Olympic Games programme.
Key facts
- Changes to the Olympic Charter are a direct outcome of the Fit for the Future process
- Amendments intended to strengthen neutrality and ensure autonomy of sport
- Modifications aimed at modernising the Olympic programme and its delivery
The changes adopted by the IOC Session, which are some of the most significant in recent years, are the result of the IOC’s ongoing Fit for the Future consultation process, which has examined how the Olympic Movement can continue to evolve in response to a rapidly changing global environment.
A Working Group on the Fundamental Principles of Olympism, established under the Fit for the Future process, and led by IOC Member Sir Hugh Robertson, has examined ways to ensure that the IOC, the Olympic Games and sport remain politically neutral and protected from undue governmental, political, societal or economic pressures.
Key to this has been a review of the IOC core texts, including the Olympic Charter, which codifies the Fundamental Principles of Olympism, governs the organisation, actions and functioning of the Olympic Movement, and establishes the conditions for the celebration of the Olympic Games.
The approved changes include, among others, amendments to Paragraph 5 of the Fundamental Principles of Olympism. Also included is the addition, in Rule 2 Mission and Role of the IOC*, of a new paragraph 6 after paragraph 5, which reads: “The IOC’s role is: to apply neutrality at all times, free from governmental, cultural, societal or economic pressure;”.
These changes are intended to safeguard the autonomy of the Olympic Movement, protect athletes and competitions from external pressures, and prevent the instrumentalisation of sport and athletes for political, societal or economic purposes. The amendments are also designed to support safe and fair access to sport while preserving the integrity, universality and peaceful mission of the Olympic Games.
A second Fit for the Future Working Group, focused on the Olympic Programme, and led by IOC Member Karl Stoss, has reviewed the governance framework of the Games programme and proposed a shift towards a more discipline-based approach. The objective is to ensure that programme-related decisions are taken at the most appropriate operational level and reflect the factors that most directly affect the organisation and delivery of the Games.
The ensuing Olympic Charter changes approved include amendments to Rule 45: Programme of the Olympic Games, and its Bye-law. Paragraph 2 of Rule 45 now reads: “The programme consists of three components…”. The three components are the sports programme, the discipline programme and the events programme.
The changes also include the removal of the list of International Federations from the Olympic Charter. This will provide greater flexibility in shaping the Olympic Games programme and better reflect an approach based on objective and transparent criteria.
The changes are intended to improve governance clarity by aligning the Olympic Charter with existing operational practices, including those related to Organising Committee proposals and programme planning.
A full explanation of the changes now adopted is available here.