The closing of 2024 offers the opportunity to look back on a year that will remain etched in the memories of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) family and the Olympic movement as a whole. ANOC President Robin Mitchell has made public his reflection on this return to the sun that is coming to an end. This has been a year marked by the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, an event that, as always, has gone beyond the sporting to send a powerful message of peace and hope to the world.
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games brought together athletes from 206 countries in a unique setting, highlighting the best of humanity. From the 90 NOCs medal winners and the Refugee Olympic Team to the athletes who competed without winning a medal, all left an indelible mark on a Games that has been held up as a model of excellence and social legacy.
ANOC AWARDS
In October, the ANOC 2024 Awards in Cascais served to relive the magic of Paris 2024 and celebrate historic milestones, such as the first medals won by the NOCs of St. Lucia, Dominica, Guatemala and Botswana. This event not only highlighted individual achievements, but also the global impact of the Olympic Games in promoting universal values.
Cascais also hosted the XXVII ANOC General Assembly, a meeting that brought together the global NOC family after two years. It was a special moment to reaffirm the joint commitment to strengthen NOC representation and address shared challenges with efficiency and unity.
THE LEGACY OF THOMAS BACH
During the thematic sessions of the General Assembly, the wealth of experience and knowledge within the NOC family was evident. Topics such as sustainability, artificial intelligence and athlete protection featured prominently, pointing the way to even closer cooperation in the future.
ANOC’s central role in the Olympic ecosystem was underlined by the presence of IOC President Thomas Bach, who gave an inspiring speech. His visionary leadership over the past 11 years has been crucial in maintaining the strength of the Olympic movement in times of unprecedented challenges.
With the election of a new IOC president in March 2025, a transitional phase begins. ANOC, however, is already working on the development of its 2025-2028 strategic plan, designed to reflect the NOC’s priorities and guide its work in the coming years.
