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New Zealand IOC Members Barry Maister and Barbara Kendall will help shape the future of the Olympic Movement as 40 proposals for change are put to the IOC for ratification next week.
The proposals are part of a year-long review known as Agenda 2020 and are designed to secure a credible and sustainable future for the Olympic Movement, as well as a meaningful legacy.
The items up for ratification include a move from a sport-based to an event-based programme at the Olympic Games, allowing for an increase in the number of sports while committing to maintaining a limit on the overall number of competitors.
Maister, who heads to Monaco for the historic vote, says the changes aim to ensure the Olympic Games remain relevant.
“Athletes will remain at the heart of the Olympic Movement but there are a number of areas where we’ll see greater flexibility such as allowing more sports on the programme and making changes to the Olympic bid process,” he said.
“We’ll also be looking at strengthening the fundamental principles of the Olympic Movement by adding an anti-discrimination clause on sexual-orientation to the charter and making the Olympic Games more accessible to youth with a proposed out-of-games Olympic TV Channel.”
New Zealand Olympic Committee CEO Kereyn Smith said the steps were important. "The Olympic Games inspire billions around the world and we need to work collectively to ensure this continues,” she said.
“Moves to strengthen sustainability, legacy, protection of clean athletes and good governance throughout sport are are proposed under Agenda 2020 and are strongly supported by the New Zealand Olympic Committee.”
“We are also interested to see how the sports programme develops,” she added. “We might well be encouraging New Zealand’s baseball and softball athletes to prepare for the Tokyo Olympic Games if these changes are passed.”
Greater flexibility in sports and events at the Olympic Games could see baseball/softball added to the Tokyo 2020 programme by the host nation's organising committee. Baseball is a national sport in Japan.
The 40 proposals were developed in consultation with National Olympic Committees, including the New Zealand Olympic Committee, International Federations, sector experts and the IOC Membership.
The passing of Agenda 2020 will be a significant achievement for new IOC President Thomas Bach who has driven the project since his election in September 2013.
The voting will take place at an extraordinary IOC Session in Monaco 8 - 9 December (Monaco time). IOC Members will vote on each proposed change.
There are 112 IOC members. The IOC Members vote as individuals and are not directly representing a nation or sport.
The IOC Membership is made up of retired athletes, National Olympic Committee representatives, international federation members and international sporting leaders from a broad range of nationalities and sports.
More information about Agenda 2020 can be found here.
