Today marks the start of the highly anticipated XVII ANOC General Assembly in Cascais, Portugal. With over 850 delegates from 288 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and sports organizations worldwide, this assembly promises to be a pivotal gathering for the Olympic family. Delegates have arrived from all corners of the globe, bringing a shared vision of advancing international sport and unity.
The opening ceremony set a powerful tone, with distinguished figures including José Pedro Aguiar-Branco, President of the Assembly of the Portuguese Republic, and Carlos Carreira, Mayor of Cascais, extending a warm Portuguese welcome to the attendees. They were joined by ANOC President Robin Mitchell, IOC President Thomas Bach, and Artur Lopes, President of the Portuguese NOC, underscoring the importance of this assembly for the international sports community.
IOC President Thomas Bach took the stage with a call for solidarity, underscoring the value of strong relationships among the world’s federations. His speech celebrated the Olympic family spirit and stressed the importance of unity to address today’s sport challenges. His words drew resounding applause and also some laughs when he remarked how this year his speech had been 5 min shorter so “he was getting better”. He set an inspirational mood for the reports presented by ANOC President Robin Mitchell and Secretary General Gunilla Lindberg.
A key focus of today’s sessions included updates on upcoming Olympic Games. NOCs received the final report on the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, followed by an update from the Los Angeles 2028 Organising Committee. Other priority topics such as anti-doping measures and sports ethics also took center stage, demonstrating ANOC’s ongoing commitment to integrity and fair play in sports.
This evening, delegates will gather for the 2024 ANOC Awards at the Estoril Congress Center. The award ceremony, set to be an unforgettable highlight, will celebrate exceptional achievements in the sporting world and recognize the tireless efforts of NOCs and their athletes.
