Olympic Highlights 15/07/2024
IOC
PRESIDENT
On his way to the Olympic Games Paris 2024, IOC President Thomas Bach welcomed the Olympic Flame ‘en route’ to Paris. The ceremony took place at the Clos de Vougeot Chateau near Dijon, with a number of French Olympians. At the same time, the President became a Grand Officier of the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin (Fraternity of Knights of the Wine-tasters’ Cup), the highest distinction of the Confrérie. Speaking on this occasion, President Bach emphasised that “on many points, the world of wine and the world of sport are close. […] The winemaker, like the athlete, must demonstrate patience, rigour and resilience. Both have the same quest: perfection.” He added: “To get to the Olympic heights of wine or sport, you need unwavering dedication and a creative spirit. Only those who have tireless passion and decisive commitment can succeed in their art.”
At Olympic House, the IOC President welcomed First Nations leader Grand Chief Wilton Littlechild, who is a former Member of the Canadian Parliament. During a ceremony, Chief Littlechild honoured President Bach with the name of Ogemou Maytawewin which translates to “Chief of the Games”, and with a headdress. The Chief said the name was chosen as the IOC President tirelessly advocates the power of sport and the Olympic Games to unite humankind in all its diversity.
President Bach arrived in Paris on 12 July, with just over two weeks to go until the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
TOP PARTNERS
As the countdown to the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024 continues, the Worldwide Olympic Partners are preparing to play a fundamental role in making the Games a success. In the “Road to Paris” series, Partners talk about some of the essential support they will be providing and reveal their excitement at helping to shape an unforgettable Olympic and Paralympic experience for fans and athletes alike. Read here the interview with Andrea Fairchild, SVP, Sponsorship and Experiential Marketing at Visa.
OTHER OLYMPIC NEWS
The IOC announced that it has partnered with the NOC of Saudi Arabia to host the inaugural Olympic Esports Games 2025 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This groundbreaking step follows the IOC’s recent announcement that the IOC Executive Board has established Olympic Esports Games. The proposal will be made to the IOC Session, which will be held on the eve of the Olympic Games Paris 2024. Read the full news release here.
As sports fans all over the world eagerly count down the days until the Games, the Olympic Review takes a look at what promises to be an exciting summer of sport. Entitled “A French Summer”, the latest edition of the Olympic Review examines preparations for the first Games to fully embrace the reforms of the IOC’s Olympic Agenda 2020. Full news release here.
INTERNATIONAL FEDERATIONS
SUMMER IFS
World Sailing
The World Sailing Awards 2024 will take place on 5 November to celebrate excellence and achievement in sailing, at a gala ceremony at Singapore’s historic CHIJMES Hall. For the first time, the Young World Sailor of the Year Award will be presented, to recognise the achievements of sailors under the age of 21. Full details here.
International Surfing Association (ISA)
The award-winning documentary “The Impossible Wave – Fernando Aguerre’s Quest for Olympic Surfing” will make its debut on in-flight entertainment systems across a number of the world’s top airlines. “The Impossible Wave” tells the story of the efforts of the ISA and its President, Fernando Aguerre, across 27 years, to secure the inclusion of surfing in the Olympic Games. Full details here.
NATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEES
Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee (CTOC)
On 9 July, the CTOC held a flag presentation ceremony and Games preparation workshop for the delegation participating in the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at the National Sports Training Centre in Kaohsiung. President Lai Ching-te handed over the NOC flag to CTOC President and head of the delegation Lin Hong-dow, who then presented it to the delegation's Chef de Mission, CTOC Vice-President Chang Huan-cheng. Following the ceremony, the delegation members participated in a Games preparation workshop organised by the CTOC. The workshop provided comprehensive information on the Paris 2024 Games, including competition details, transport and accommodation arrangements, anti-doping regulations, and safety precautions. Info at www.tpenoc.net.
NOC of the Dominican Republic
The NOC Executive Committee has chosen sprinter Marileidy Paulino and gymnast Audrys Nin Reyes as the flagbearers for the Dominican Republic team at the Opening Ceremony of the Games in Paris. Winner of two silver medals at Tokyo 2020, Paulino is also an Olympic Solidarity Paris 2024 scholarship-holder, and qualified for these Games by winning the 400 metres in a record time at the 2023 Central American and Caribbean Games in El Salvador. For his part, Nin Reyes secured the only Paris 2024 slot allocated in the artistic gymnastics competition at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago de Chile, where he won gold in the vault. Full details here. An international course for handball coaches (level D) was held recently at the NOC headquarters, under the auspices of the International Handball Federation. A total of 40 coaches from Colombia, Cuba and the Dominican Republic took part, with a view to obtaining the licence they need to coach their national teams. At the end of the course, the Dominican handball federation presented an award to former NOC President José Joaquín Puello Herrera, in recognition of his contribution to the sports movement. More details here.
Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOC)
Basketball player Giannis Antetokounmpo and race walker Antigoni Drisbioti will be the flagbearers for Greece at the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024. The decision was taken by the HOC Plenary Session. The decision for Antetokounmpo was unanimous, while Drisbioti, the race-walking champion, was chosen after a vote between her and three other female athletes: Maria Sakkari, Evangelia Platanioti and Margarita Plevritou. Full details here.
Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China (SF&OC)
In view of the upcoming Olympic Games Paris 2024, on 9 July the SF&OC organised a flag presentation ceremony for the delegation at the Central Government Offices. Among the many personalities present was Chan Kwok Ki, Acting Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administration Region (HKSAR), who presented the flag to Timothy Tsun Ting Fok, SF&OC President and IOC Honorary Member. To enhance the promotion of Paris 2024, the SF&OC has set up a number of Olympic-themed installations at Tamar Park in Admiralty, providing members of the public with a "checkpoint" to visit and cheer for the athletes until 11 August. The SF&OC has also launched the "Road to Paris" video series on its YouTube channel and social media handles. Full details here.
Jordan Olympic Committee
Several of Jordan’s athletes who have qualified for the Olympic Games Paris 2024 joined in with the Olympic Day celebrations on 29 June. Organised by the NOC, the event was held at Prince Hamza Hall in Al Hussein Youth City, with a large number of young and promising athletes from various Jordanian sports federations across different age groups mixing with the Olympians. The athletes preparing for Paris were introduced with an interactive Q&A session, and joined in with the demonstrations that showcased a number of sports to promote the Olympic values. Full details here.
Slovakia Olympic and Sports Committee (SOSC)
Nearly 50,000 sports enthusiasts of all ages participated in the Olympic Day celebrations in June. This year, the activities were closely connected with the "Our Colours, Our Hearts" relay, which is promoting the Olympic message across Slovakia ahead of the Olympic Games Paris 2024. In the spirit of the motto "Let's Move!", kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, regional Olympic clubs, sports clubs and local communities joined the celebrations and organised dozens of events with a unique atmosphere. Up to 218 events were registered on the NOC website and proposed a variety of sporting activities, from running races to sports games and educational programmes on the Olympic values. More info here.
RECOGNISED ORGANISATIONS
Fédération Internationale Cinéma Télévision Sportifs (FICTS)
From 5 to 9 November 2024, Milan, Italy, will host the 42nd edition of the Sports Movies & TV – Milano International FICTS Festival under the slogan “FICTS is Culture through sport – Olympic Emotion”. The Festival is organised by the FICTS, chaired by Franco Ascani, in collaboration with the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation and the Lombardy Region, looking ahead to the special “Sports Movies & TV 2026 edition for the Games”. More details at www.sportmoviestv.com.