Monday Memo: IOC Commissions, WADA vs Russia, Pan Am Strategies

IOC Commissions Week

The IOC holds 19 commission meetings through next Sunday in Lausanne, a different pair meeting each day at the Lausanne Palace Hotel.

Already meeting on January 11 was the Ethics Commission headed by Ban Ki Moon. Among the items on the agenda for this group is the status of Japanese IOC member Tsunekazu Takeda. French prosecutors have notified him that he is under investigation for corruption in connection with the Tokyo bid for the 2020 Olympics. It’s all linked to allegations involving ex-IOC member Lamine Diack and his son. The commission took no action against Takeda, issuing a statement that it is monitoring the situation and that Takeda deserves the presumption of innocence.

The Sport & Active Society commission met on Sunday with Sam Ramsamy leading his final meeting. He retired from the IOC effective January 1. His successor has not been named.

The Communications Commission, chaired by South Africa’s Anant Singh, also met on Sunday .

The Athletes commission chaired by Kirsty Coventry meets Monday. Also on January 14 is the Culture & Olympic Heritage Commission led by C.K. Wu.

Tuesday January 15 is the date for the Athletes’ Entourage Commission led by Sergey Bubka. The Olympic Channel Commission also meets, chaired for the last time by Larry Probst. His IOC membership ended December 31, the same date he stepped down as chair of the U.S.Olympic Committee.

On Wednesday, January 16 Lydia Nsekera chairs the Women in Sport Commission. The Olympic Broadcasting Services commission also meeting Wednesday led by Richard Pound.

Prince Albert of Monaco chairs the Sustainability and Legacy Commission on Thursday, January 17.

On Friday, January 18, Gerardo Werthein leads the Digital and Technology Commission. Also meeting will be the Medical and Scientific Commission headed by Ugur Erdener.

Mario Pescante, now retired from the IOC, chairs his final meeting of the Public Affairs and Social Development through sport Commission on Saturday, January 19.

The Marketing Commission is also scheduled for Saturday. Tsunekazu Takeda, now saddled with an Ethics Commission file, will chair the meeting. The secondcommission meeting scheduled for January 20 will be the Television and Marketing Services Commission.

Final meetings are set for Sunday, January 21 with John Coates chairing the Legal Affairs Commission. The Education Commission will be led by Barry Maister, making his farewell after his retirement effective December 31.

This year will bring to commission weeks for the IOC. This week’s was to have been held in November, but the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires forced the postponement till this month. Commission week will return to its normal November timing this year.

New chairs and commission members are usually announced by the IOC president in the first part of the new year.

WADA Compliance Review for Russia

The World Anti-Doping Agency Compliance Review commission will decide Monday and Tuesday what happens next with Russia and its reinstatement to test athletes for doping. The meeting at WADA headquarters in Montréal follows the December 31 deadline for Russia to grant access to its doping lab and test results over a number of years.

A team from the agency tried to gain access in mid-December but had to return after encountering difficulties from Russian law enforcement. The group was admitted prior to the end of the month but whether the information gathered is sufficient to prove compliance with WADA requirements is the job of the compliance review panel.

Pan Am Sports Workshops in Miami

NOC leaders from the Americas are in Miami for the next two days to hold a workshop ahead of a busy year for the 41 member continental Association Pan Am Sports. In addition to preparations for the Pan Am Games in Lima this July, the workshop will tackle a strategy to implement plans for three new events under the Pan Am umbrella. The 15 member Executive Committee will review plans for a junior Pan Ams as well as youth and beach games.

Reported by Ed Hula.