IOC President Urges Sport to Confront Governance Issues

(ATR) Thomas Bach says sports organizations must work hard in 2016 to "safeguard" their credibility after a year of FIFA and IAAF scandals.

"Undoubtedly, recent developments in some sports cast a shadow across the whole world of sport," Bach said in his New Year’s message, referring to the corruption and doping scandals that have damaged the reputations of the football and athletics governing bodies.

"As the role and relevance of sport in society continues to grow, so do the expectations of the public vis-à-vis the integrity of athletes and sports organizations. It is our shared responsibility in the Olympic Movement to provide new answers to new questions," he added.

The IOC chief said further implementation of Agenda 2020 reforms was important to restoring the reputations of Olympic Movement stakeholders scarred by scandals.

FIFA’s reputation is in tatters after a wide-spread corruption scandal led to the U.S. indictment of 41 individuals or entities. President Sepp Blatter and UEFA president Michel Platini were last week banned by the FIFA ethics judge for eight years over a "disloyal" $2.1 million payment.

The IAAF’s credibility was dealt a major blow by revelations about state-sponsored doping in Russia in the WADA Independent Commission’s report. Former athletics chief Lamine Diack has been charged with corruption and bribery. Russia’s athletics federation is currently suspended and the participation of its track and field athletes at Rio 2016 is in doubt unless a revamp of the country’s anti-doping system achieves compliance with IAAF and WADA regulations.

Bach urged federations and NOCs to apply the principles of good governance they have agreed to as well as the Olympic Movement Code for preventing competition manipulation, which was published earlier in December.

"We have called on and we expect all sports organizations to follow our lead," he said.

"With regard to protecting the clean athletes, the IOC has strengthened its commitment to making the world’s anti-doping system and the sanctioning of doped athletes independent from sports organizations," Bach added, echoing comments made after the IOC Executive Board meeting three weeks ago.

Amid the IAAF’s suspension of Russia, the IOC is driving plans for an independent anti-doping testing system that it hopes will be in place for the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics.

"We are convinced that all these changes are necessary to better protect the clean athletes and enhance the integrity of sport," he said.

"While we see many elements of Olympic Agenda 2020 in action already today, our focus must be on the road ahead. Our process of change continues in 2016 with the same energy and determination."

Looking ahead to his first Summer Olympics as IOC president, Bach said he was "confident that Brazil will enthusiastically welcome the world with their joy of life and their passion for sport".

"We know the current economic and political situation in Brazil will make the next months of final preparations more challenging, but together with the great support of the Cariocas and the Brazilian people, the organisers can count on the solidarity of the entire Olympic family to make the Games a success," he added.

The IOC president said the Rio Games "will bring the world a message of hope and joy during difficult times".

Click here to read Thomas Bach's entire New Year's message.

Reported by Mark Bisson

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