The future of sport was among the panel discussions on the second day of the forum ©Getty Images
International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach has dismissed criticisms of the organisation’s reforms from Chris Dempsey due to the No Boston Olympics co-chairman having had “no experience of organising the Olympic Games”.
2018 GETTY IMAGES
“CHANGE LIES IN ALL OF US.” THAT’S HOW EVELYN WATTA, VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL SPORTS PRESS ASSOCIATION, SUMMED UP THE CONVERSATION AT THE OLYMPISM IN ACTION FORUM “WOMEN IN SPORT” SESSION ON HOW SPORT CAN BE A CATALYST FOR EMPOWERING WOMEN AND GIRLS.
The Olympism in Action Forum will feature a range of influential and powerful speakers, including athletes, sport and government officials, academics, Young Change-Makers, business leaders, NGOs, and more. These inspiring minds will lead the Forum’s debates and discussions, and share their experiences and perspectives on how to build a better world through sport.
Registration Area (Level 0) & Foyer
Plenary Hall
This discussion will address topics including the values of Olympism, the role of these values at national and global levels; why sport is still a valuable tool for national development after hundreds of years; and how we can ensure sport is being used as a tool for good in the world.
In conversation with: Jennifer Dahlgren, Hammer Throw Olympian (Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, London 2012, Río 2016), Argentina
Plenary Hall
Dating back to 776 BC and the Ancient Olympic Games, the Olympic Truce was announced before the Olympic Games. A call to a cessation of any hostilities, it was intended to ensure that the host city of the Olympic Games was able to organise the event in peace and ensure the safe passage of athletes and spectators taking part in the Games. The Olympic Truce was revived by the United Nations Organisation in 1993. Even under the most tense and volatile of circumstances, the Olympic Truce reaffirms that the Olympic values of peace, solidarity and respect are as important across the world today as they were over 3,000 years ago, when the ancient Olympic Games first took place in Greece. Taking the most recent inspiring example of the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018, this session will highlight how sport and the values of Olympism have the power to unite a fractured world.
In conversation with: Sonali Prasad, Print and Data Journalist, Olympic Information Services Photo Project, India
Plenary Hall
While the world has taken great strides in the last 100 years to advance gender equality, it is critical to continue and expand upon this forward momentum to build a world characterised by universal equal rights for women and men. Promoting gender equality in all industries, from business and politics to entertainment and sport, is hugely relevant in today’s world; however, much remains to be done to ensure that women and girls are given an equal opportunity to succeed; provided with fair and equal pay; and protected from discrimination, harassment and abuse. This session will discuss the challenges women in sport face, and it will explore how sport can be used as a tool for empowering women and girls and for moving the needle towards gender parity.
Moderator: Evelyn Watta, Vice President, International Sports Press Association & News Producer, Olympic Channel, Kenya
Plenary Hall
The responsibility that the Olympic Movement and sport organizations worldwide have in ensuring sport and sporting events are fair and clean is more relevant than ever before. How can we ensure that the testing being done is independent and without any conflicts of interest? How can we break the “rule of silence” and encourage people to come forward and report violations? What is the right balance between protecting the civil rights and privacy of athletes versus anti-doping measures? This panel discussion with a diverse group of athletes and officials will address the most critical issues related to doping, which affect not only the Olympic Movement, but global sports at large.
Moderator: Adnan Nawaz, News Anchor, TRT World, Turkey
Foyer & Marketplace
4 sessions in parallel
Working Zone Excellence
What constitutes doping and fair play may not always be as black and white as it seems. Doping raises many questions, which can often differ depending on the context. For example, all athletes do things to optimise their physical performance: they might wear special clothing, they might undergo surgery to recover from an injury, they might use treatments to acclimatise to higher altitudes, and they might use drugs to increase muscle mass. All of the aforementioned actions, except for using drugs to increase muscle mass, are usually seen as acceptable. This session will feature a lively debate between two leading academics to stimulate new thinking around a commonly discussed issue.
Facilitator: Adnan Nawaz, News Anchor, TRT World, Turkey
Working Zone Excellence
In a world where science and technology innovate at unprecedented levels, notably in the methods of detecting prohibited drugs, it appears that it would be difficult for any athlete to conceal doping. However, experts believe it is becoming more challenging to fight doping. From stricter sanctions to education, there are many directions to explore regarding more efficient deterrence and prevention methods. Focusing resources on the deterrence and prevention of doping, as opposed to solely focusing on post-factum efforts, could prove more effective and efficient. Featuring a variety of athlete perspectives, this session will explore which deterrence methods have worked, and where efforts need to be further expanded.
Facilitator: Adnan Nawaz, News Anchor, TRT World, Turkey
Working Zone Friendship
Betting-related match-fixing has manifested itself as a recurrent, complex problem worldwide, transcending national boundaries, sporting disciplines and levels of competition, and involving a wide range of actors, including referees, officials, coaches and athletes. The evolution of new technologies, the “hyper-globalisation” of the betting market, and ineffective regulation have been the main drivers of this surge. The negative impact of betting-related match-fixing on the integrity of sport, as well as betting’s links to gambling addiction and organised crime, have fuelled arguments against the legalisation of sports betting, an ongoing issue. This session will examine the sports betting frameworks that exist, and the work of regulatory and law enforcement entities to prevent match-fixing and organised crime linked to sport.
Facilitator: David Harrison, Senior Investigative Reporter, Al Jazeera International, United Kingdom
Working Zone Respect
Research and testimony demonstrate that harassment and abuse occur in sport, compounded by a lack of athlete safeguarding policies and procedures. The IOC Consensus Statement (2016) identifies five main forms of harassment and abuse: psychological abuse, sexual abuse, sexual harassment, neglect and physical abuse. Harassment and abuse may impair athletes’ performance, be associated with doping, increase athletes' willingness to cheat, lead to athlete drop-out, undermine the trust that athletes place in sports administrators, and/or result in a variety of presentations in survivors, including psychosomatic illnesses, disordered eating, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, self-harm and even suicide. To prevent harassment and abuse, to effect organisational, institutional and secular-cultural change, and to perpetuate a culture which respects the rights of all, it is essential that we learn from each other and share best practices
Facilitator: HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein, IOC Member; IOC Women in Sport Commission Vice-Chair, Chair, IOC Prevention of Harassment and Abuse in Sport Working Group, Jordan
Working Zone Solidarity
Today, the world is impacted by divisions, and migrants, refugees, people of differing cultures and faiths, and other marginalised populations are too often left out. Dialogue and respect for different perspectives are essential in the age of globalisation, and sport provides a useful tool for promoting social inclusion. Furthermore, sport’s ability to contribute to sustainable development can be leveraged to work towards decreasing poverty, therefore promoting social inclusion on an economic level as well. This working zone aims to explore how sport can bridge the divisions that currently exist in societies around the world, with the goal of promoting inclusion and creating cohesive communities.
Facilitator: David Eades, Chief Presenter, BBC & Conference Host and Moderator, United Kingdom
Foyer & Marketplace
4 sessions in paralle
Working Zone Excellence
By 2050, more than two-thirds of the world’s population is expected to be living in cities. While urban living brings benefits and opportunities for people, it poses a specific set of risks and challenges that can negatively affect public health. Cities must re-think the way they approach urban planning and growth in order to enable their citizens to be more active and healthy. This interactive session will explore concrete ways in which the sport and health sectors can collaborate to combat noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) more generally. It will also take an in-depth look at solutions designed for urban populations. City officials, multilateral institutions, NGOs, and sports organisations will share their experiences in implementing policies and programmes in complex ecosystems.
Facilitator: Bill Morris LVO, International Events Consultant & Ex-Director of Culture, Ceremonies, Education and Live Sites, London 2012, United Kingdom
Working Zone Friendship
Hosting major sporting events is frequently used by city and national governments as a catalyst for positive change, whether it be increasing tourism, expanding transport infrastructure, or raising a city’s global stature. However, what is initially planned by organisers as positive legacy initiatives sometimes contrast starkly with the reality after the event. The organisers of the Olympic Games have historically faced challenges, such as building oversized venues that stand abandoned for years after the event is over. Considering these challenges of the past, the IOC has developed a set of new forms, called “The New Norm,” which aim to completely transform how the Olympic Games are delivered and how they can create an impactful, positive legacy. In this workshop, leading economists and experts will discuss challenges of bidding for and hosting the Games and debate what needs to be done to ensure the Games are organised in a more cost-effective and flexible way.
Facilitator: Sonali Shah, Newsreader, BBC Sport
Working Zone Friendship
Hosting major sporting events is frequently used by local governments as a catalyst for positive change, whether it be increasing tourism, expanding transportation infrastructure, or raising a city’s global stature. Organizers of upcoming Olympic Games will share their candid thoughts and experiences in their work to ensure the Olympic Games are a force for good in the host cities.
Facilitator: Sonali Shah, Newsreader, BBC Sport, United Kingdom
Working Zone Respect
From skiing and surfing to mountaineering and sailing, the number of sports that exist in natural environments is endless. This is why the protection of those environments is a vital priority for athletes, sports federations, the private sector, NGOs and major sporting events. Driven by the power of sport to convene, move and inspire, the Olympic Movement and the sports world at large are continually working not only to ensure that sustainable practices are embedded in the operations of organisations and the planning of events, but also to promote the protection of these environments in which many sports are practised. This workshop will feature concrete examples of individuals and organisations that have effectively leveraged sport as a tool for environmental protection and sustainability.
Facilitator: David Eades, Chief Presenter, BBC & Conference Host and Moderator, United Kingdom
Working Zone Solidarity
The power of sport to transform communities, alter mind-sets and break down barriers has long been known, but framing this power into a sustainable solution has been a relatively recent phenomenon that has given rise to a new brand of young social entrepreneurs who feel a growing sense of responsibility as global citizens to effect change. The overarching goal of this session is to provide frameworks, tools and implementable solutions to address systemic social challenges through the power of sport, community and innovation. The session will be a highly interactive, immersive experience. Participants will be tasked with designing either a product or a service that addresses a social problem or need within a specific target audience and location. At the end of the session, participants will walk away with not only a concrete implementable venture or concept, but also a series of tools for designing solutions to a variety of problems.
Facilitator: Arnaud Mourot, Co-Director, Ashoka, Europe, France
Foyer & Marketplace
Plenary Hall
There are many reasons why hosting the Olympic Games is attractive to a city or country. The expectations that the event will have a positive impact, both tangible and intangible, on local communities is alive and well. From developing an underserved part of a city and expanding much-needed infrastructure to boosting the local economy and increasing tourism, hosting such a large-scale event can bring about great opportunities. However, cost overruns, questions over resource use and perceived corruption among other challenges have left some populations hesitant about their city’s bid to host the Olympic Games. This session will seek to examine the arguments for and against hosting the Olympic Games, and shine a light on the real experiences, both challenging and inspiring, faced by organisers from past and upcoming Games.
Moderator: Sonali Shah, Newsreader, BBC Sport, United Kingdom
Plenary Hall
One athlete’s story of bravery and perseverance, which remains an inspiration to others who wish to break down barriers and fight for a more equitable world through sport.
Plenary Hall
Through building awareness of corruption, encouraging a global dialogue on the topic, and promoting transparency in all sectors, we can advance the anti-corruption agenda and move towards stronger institutions at a time when general mistrust surrounds large organisations and multinational companies. This session will explore the success stories and best practices for protecting institutional integrity in sport, while also addressing the work and reforms that still need to be done.
Moderator: Razia Iqbal, Presenter, BBC News, United Kingdom
Plenary Hall
Foyer
4 sessions in parallel
Working Zone Excellence
This year, the world celebrates the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a monumental document which established the laws and principles related to the equality of all individuals and their inalienable right to dignity. Sport is one of the best ambassadors to promote human rights and the inclusion of all. Through sport, people learn values that cross gender, creed, nationality, age, economic position and even physical condition. This session will highlight the special relationship between sport and human rights and explore how sport and its values can be used to promote human rights for all.
Facilitator: Razia Iqbal, Presenter, BBC News, United Kingdom
Working Zone Excellence
Mega-sporting events such as the Olympic Games have great potential to inspire and positively impact people’s lives. However, past experience has shown that improper management of such events can have serious, negative impacts on people and communities, generating human rights risks. For example, construction of new sports infrastructure can lead to harassment based on race, religion or gender; unsafe working conditions for labourers; and even forced eviction of the local communities. How can organisers deliver dynamic events without infringing on the rights of marginalised groups? This workshop will bring different stakeholders together to discuss the responsibilities and priorities of sport in safeguarding human rights.
Facilitator: Razia Iqbal, Presenter, BBC News, United Kingdom
Working Zone Friendship
Sport not only provides health benefits to those who practise it, it also provides opportunities to learn and develop many life skills that are useful for young people’s futures. Organisations and individuals around the world are working at the intersection of education and sport to benefit young people and global communities. This workshop will not only explore the power of sport as a tool for enhancing educational outcomes and imparting life skills but will also provide examples of organisations and individuals using this intersection to make a difference.
Facilitator: Mariana Behr, Former Head of Engagement and Education, Rio 2016, Brazil
Working Zone Respect
Sports are timeless, yet with each generation, innovation and changing social dynamics have altered and enhanced how fans experience them. Today, sports fans no longer just watch and cheer – they analyse, critique and connect with their teams in real time. With widespread technological advances, including in the areas of connectivity, portability, livestreaming, mobile and social video, sports fans are consuming media in different, evolving ways. Fanbases are becoming diverse, more active and more influential, and are demanding better and unique stadium experiences. Are teams, leagues, sponsors and rights-holders ready to adapt to these wide-ranging changes?
Facilitator: Donna de Varona, Olympic Champion, Emmy Award Winning Broadcaster & Member of the IOC Women in Sport Commission, United States
Working Zone Solidarity
Esport is continuing to grow rapidly in popularity, with reports indicating over 400 million people watching by 2019. With the rise of this new generation of athletes, this working zone will explore the daily life of professional esports players to highlight what similarities and differences they have with Olympians. Representatives from both worlds will discuss their training, the importance of physical and mental fitness, and how they prepare for competition, as well as the challenges and opportunities in the life of an elite competitor.
Facilitator: TL Taylor, Internet & Game Studies, Professor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), United States
Working Zone Solidarity
As the global population becomes more urban, competition for available physical space and facilities has increased. This, coupled with new trends in sports participation, and innovations at the intersections of technologies, fashion, music, art and popular culture, has led to the rise of new sports and the evolution of existing ones: using less space, fewer resources and equipment to practise, and thus broadening opportunities for who can access sport and physical activity. This workshop will explore new sporting trends and innovations, as well as how some mainstream sports have adapted to the urban spaces, and how new sports can be used to attract younger people into the Olympic Movement.
Facilitator: Holly Thorpe, Associate Professor of Sociology of Sport and Physical Culture, University of Waikato, New Zealand
Foyer & Marketplace
Plenary Hall
In 2013, the IOC selected Buenos Aires – a model cultural city – to be the host of the 2018 Summer Youth Olympic Games: an elite international multi-sports event for the world's best young athletes. Buenos Aires 2018 promises to be unique in many ways. It will mark the first time that a Summer Youth Olympic event is held in South America, as well as the first time that an Olympic event has had an equal number of male and female athletes. How can the Youth Olympic Games be a catalyst for local leaders to engage and benefit young people? How will the event be leveraged to promote culture, education, urban development and more? In this session, the Mayor of Buenos Aires, Horacio Rodríguez Larreta, will reflect on what the Youth Olympic Games mean to the city of Buenos Aires, its citizens, and especially its young people.
In conversation with: Fernanda Russo, Shooter, Silver Medallist at the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games & Young Change-Maker, Argentine Delegation, Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games, Argentina
Plenary Hall
Grassroots organisations around the world are using sport to make a difference in their respective communities and beyond. Shooting Touch, an international sport-for-development organisation based in the United States and Rwanda, is using the power of basketball to deliver global health education, intervention, and empowerment to at-risk youth, women, and their families.
Plenary Hall
Advances in technology, coupled with changes in demographics and cultural trends, will significantly transform the world of sport over the next decades. From increased access to sports which were previously cost-prohibitive for many to the rise of thrill-seeking, self-expressive “extreme” or “alternative” sports such as kite surfing and sport climbing, the future will impact all facets of sport – athletes, fans, leagues and federations – and will even give rise to new sports. The future will also redefine and challenge the traditional concept of a “sport” and what it means to be an “athlete”. For instance, can esport be considered a sport? Is the world of traditional sport adequately prepared to adapt to these changes?
Moderator: Adnan Nawaz, News Anchor, TRT World, Turkey
Plenary Hall
The International Judo Federation (IJF) is a dynamic sports federation dedicated to building a better society through sport. An initiative of the IJF called Judo for the World, which is composed of Judo for Peace, Judo for Children and Judo for Schools, supports populations in conflict areas, post-conflict areas, and regions with social issues through educational and outreach programming. This session will feature the great work that Judo for the World is doing across the globe, from Iran and Turkey to China and Argentina.
Introduction by: Marius Vizer, President, International Judo Federation, Austria
Plenary Hall
With an unprecedented 67 million people living as refugees across the globe and even more populations in conflict, the world is facing a challenge that must be addressed. Sport can contribute to addressing this issue that has been difficult for institutions and governments to solve. For children and young people uprooted by war or persecution, sport provides an opportunity to be included and protected – a chance to heal, develop and grow. Sport can also be a positive catalyst for empowering refugee communities, strengthening social cohesion and forging closer ties with host communities. In 2016, the IOC created the first team of Refugee Olympic Athletes that participated in the Games as a symbol of hope for refugees worldwide. During this session, two of those 10 athletes will share their personal journeys and the opportunities that sport has provided them with.
Moderator: Jim Bell, President, NBC Olympics Production & Programming, United States
Plenary Hall
Grassroots organisations around the world are using sport to make a difference in their respective communities and beyond. Skateistan, an award-winning, international development initiative based in Afghanistan, Cambodia, and South Africa, is empowering children and youth through skateboarding and education.
Plenary Hall
Elite athletes have an outstanding potential to become successful innovators and entrepreneurs. In their sporting careers, they acquire invaluable skills of leadership, persistence, teamwork and a relentless pursuit of excellence that can be leveraged as they transition from active competition. This session will explore the available post-career entrepreneurial opportunities and how the Olympic Movement can empower and support Olympians to become entrepreneurs once they have retired from elite competition. Professor Muhammad Yunus (Nobel Peace Laureate 2006) and an accomplished Olympian will provide insights into what it takes to be an entrepreneur and how Olympians can use the idea of social business to solve society’s greatest problems.
In conversation with: Angela Ruggiero, CEO and Co-Founder, Sports Innovation Lab & four-time Olympian in Ice Hockey, United States
Plenary Hall
Special announcements and final remarks by President Thomas Bach will bring the Forum to a close.
Foyer & Marketplace
An informal, buffet-style lunch will allow participants to connect with one another, build relationships, explore the marketplace, and more.
ANOC Secretary General Gunilla Lindberg at today’s press conference at Mission Beach, San Diego – venue for the inaugural ANOC World Beach Games
The Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) today confirms the final sports program for the ANOC World Beach Games San Diego 2019, with 15 exciting, youth-centric sports guaranteeing world-class athletes and captivating entertainment for the event’s inaugural edition.
Tsunekazu Takeda has resigned following bribery allegations linked to the successful bid from Tokyo 2020 ©Getty Images
CANOC President Brian Lewis and Dominica Olympic Committee counterpart Billy Doctrove met in Roseau ©CANOC/DOC
