IOC President Keen to Introduce Agenda 2020 Reforms

(ATR) IOC president Thomas Bach says the Olympic Movement must "capitalise on the momentum and energy we have created" following approval of wide-ranging reforms.

In his New Year address, the German underlined the importance of the 40 Agenda 2020 recommendations passed unanimously last month at the IOC Session in Monaco.

He said the reforms gave Olympic stakeholders "a clear vision of where we are headed and how we can protect the uniqueness of the Games".

"It is critical that in 2015 we capitalise on the momentum and energy we have created," he said.

"We are already moving to the implementation of our strategic roadmap for the future: Olympic Agenda 2020 recommendations will be fully applied in the bid process for the Olympic Games 2024, which opens on 15 January 2015."

He highlighted the new invitation phase that will be offered to cities interested in hosting the Games "so that they can discuss their initial interest with the IOC".

"We can already see strong interest around the world in those Games," he said. "The Olympic Winter Games 2022 bid process is already underway, but elements of Olympic Agenda 2020 will be implemented where possible, especially with regard to the IOC assisting bid cities in reducing costs and ensuring a sustainable legacy. "

Bach said work would continue in 2015 on the Olympic TV Channel which will provide a platform for the promotion of Olympic sports and athletes.

"We will start developing the brand and 'look' of the channel, as well as working with the TOP sponsors on collaboration. The corporate structure of the channel will be developed, and we will start to hire the key staff who will launch and run the channel," he said.

Looking ahead, Bach noted that the IOC will celebrate 100 years in Lausanne. Preparatory work will continue on a new building which will consolidate the IOC headquarters in one location in the Olympic capital.

He also referred to the busy year in prospect for Rio 2016 organizers. The year-to-go countdown is on Aug. 5.

"The preparations are on a good footing, and support for the Games are on the rise. There will be more than 20 test events during 2015. Rio 2016 should be congratulated on its efforts as we move into the delivery phase," he said.

Following the UN General Assembly’s recognition of the autonomy of the IOC and sport, Bach said the Olympic committee’s collaboration with the United Nations would play an increasingly important role in the coming year. "It is essential that we work with national governments to integrate sport into the UN post 2015 Development Agenda, particularly in the fields of education, health, urban planning, cohesion of society and peace-building," he said.

"We head into 2015 united and confident, with an Olympic Movement more successful than ever," Bach concluded. "We have built on our unity in diversity. Working together, we can accomplish even more in the year ahead."

Reported by Mark Bisson

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