The International Olympic Committee (IOC) took an important step this week following a workshop entitled “Pause and Reflect” held in Lausanne, Switzerland. During the event, IOC President Kirsty Coventry announced the creation of two working groups that will focus on key priorities for the future of the Olympic Movement. These initiatives seek to review the process for selecting future Olympic Games venues and protect women’s sports.
Coventry stressed that the decision to create these groups reflects a broad consensus among IOC members. She explained that the goal is to “ensure that the organization’s strategic decisions are inclusive and reflect the current needs of global sport.”
Olympic venue selection process
One of the working groups will be dedicated to analyzing the selection process for future Summer and Winter Olympic Games venues. The IOC president stressed that members want to be more involved in this procedure and that there is significant debate about the appropriate timing for awarding venues.
Coventry mentioned that the experiences of Los Angeles 2028, Brisbane 2032, and the French Alps 2030 will be used as references. While the first two venues were assigned 11 years in advance, the French Alps were chosen only six years before the Games. This analysis will seek to determine the ideal balance between long-term planning and flexibility.
Women’s category in sport
The second working group will focus on the protection of the women’s category, an issue that also received broad support from IOC members. Coventry explained that this group will be composed of experts and International Federations, with the aim of reaching a consensus among all stakeholders.
The president stressed that, although differences between sports are inevitable, the IOC will take a leadership role in ensuring that women’s sports are effectively protected. This effort seeks to reinforce equity and inclusion in sport, adapting to the particularities of each discipline.
Reflection on the Olympic Movement
The ‘Pause and Reflect’ workshop not only served to announce these initiatives, but also to reflect on the current state of the Olympic Movement. During the sessions, IOC members addressed five main topics: athletes, the Olympic Games, the Olympic Movement, the impact of sport on a better world, and revenue generation and global reach.
Coventry pointed out that this review process is essential to identify opportunities and challenges and to define how the IOC can adapt to an ever-changing sports environment. The president stressed the importance of involving all relevant stakeholders in this analysis.
