New Constitution Brings ANOC "Up to Speed"

(ATR) The revised ANOC Constitution is 30 pages long – twice as long as its predecessor – and aims to be many times more effective.

The new Constitution will be presented to Saturday's Extraordinary General Assembly for approval in Lausanne. It emphasizes accountability to the NOCs, increases the role of athletes among the organization’s leadership and provides a process for arbitration of internal disputes.

Michael Chambers of Canada, who chaired the Working Commission for Amendment of the Constitution, says his group of nine began working last June on a comprehensive review that was unprecedented.

"We’re basically placing a new Constitution before the General Assembly that includes all of the fundamental basic rights of NOCs that were in the initial Constitution," Chambers says, "but brings things up to speed with email voting and things of that nature that weren’t even contemplated when the Constitution we currently have was first written 33-34 years ago."

ANOC President Sheikh Ahmad, who succeeded founding President Mario Vazquez Rana, asked that the Constitution "reflect the new era that is before ANOC," Chambers says. "And that is one where it is going to be a more substantial business operation."

He says that ANOC will also become more proactive to get in front of issues.

The Sheikh specifically asked that the Constitution assign an athletes’ representative to a voting seat on the ANOC Executive Council. An Athletes’ Commission (made up of the Presidents of the Continental Athletes’ Commissions) will elect a chairperson to fill that role.

In another first, disputes within ANOC that cannot be resolved internally must be referred to the Court of Arbitration for Sport for final and binding arbitration. "We hope that this particular provision will not have to be used," Chambers says, "but having it in the ANOC Constitution brings the Constitution in line in this respect with all other members of the Olympic Family."

The Constitution also makes clear that all Continental Association representatives on the ANOC Executive Council must all be elected by their respective Continental General Assemblies, reflecting the accountability principle. The NOCs also have authority to remove Executive Council members if they are not fulfilling their duties.

In addition, a formal process is in place to select the ANOC representative to the IOC Executive Board.

"Where there was lack of clarity before, there’s now clarity," Chambers says.

The ANOC Executive Council approved a first draft that was circulated to the NOCs in January. Chambers says 23 NOCs sent feedback and proposed 135 changes, mostly involving wording.

The working group made 35-40 changes and a new draft went out in March. This elicited only one response, making Chambers confident the new Constitution will be adopted.

After it goes into effect July 1, Chambers says additional changes will be considered.

"It’s like taking a new model car out," he says. "You bring it out on a test track and see whether it runs well or if there are a few minor adjustments that need to be made. Our first year will tell us that."

Reported by Karen Rosen

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