FISU Will Participate in Virtual Olympic Congress
June 11th, 2008
Over the last 10 years, the digital revolution has radically transformed access to information and methods of communication. New technology has enabled many people to circulate their ideas more freely and easily. This is the vocation of the virtual Olympic Congress, the first stage of a process leading us to the Olympic Congress, which will be held in Copenhagen from 3 to 5 October 2009. Until 31 December 2008, the members of the Olympic family are invited to contribute to the virtual Olympic Congress via the extranet set up for this purpose. The aim of the virtual Olympic Congress is to collect a maximum of contributions from the Olympic family. Before publication, all the contributions will be read by the Congress Editorial Committee, which will determine the main tendencies coming from the contributions. The principal recommendations will then be discussed at the Olympic Congress in Copenhagen. To participate in the virtual Olympic Congress, all you have to do is contact the Congress Secretariat and then register. Once your registration is validated, you can submit your written contributions. From now until 31 December 2008, the general public are invited to contribute to the virtual Olympic Congress. Internet users can submit two contributions, which will be taken into account in 2009 in the framework of statistical trend analyses after the contribution collection phase. The main trends in the texts coming from the general public will be communicated on the IOC web site in 2009, on a date to be confirmed.
What is the Purpose of the 2009 Congress?
The 2009 Congress aims to “take the pulse” of the Olympic Movement, analyse its strengths and weaknesses and evaluate the opportunities and risks it faces. The overarching title, “The Olympic Movement in Society”, was chosen to reflect the links between the Olympic Movement and society at large. The Olympic Movement is now, more than ever, part of a complex social environment. It does not exist in a vacuum. It is no longer possible to talk about the future without considering the relationship between the Olympic Movement and society at large.
Website
More information on the Call for Contributions and the Congress Regulations of the Virtual Olympic Congress is available on the extranet site: www.2009congress.olympic.org.
What is an Olympic Congress?
Olympic Congresses are not regular events in the IOC’s calendar. However, they are the organisation’s key consultative body. The last three Congresses - held in Varna (1973), Baden-Baden (1981) and more recently Paris (1994) - brought together all the members of the Olympic family to discuss various issues relating to the functioning and future direction of the Olympic Movement. In 2006, President Jacques Rogge announced that the 13th Olympic Congress will be held in Copenhagen, Denmark, from 3 to 5 October 2009. Preparations are now well underway for this important gathering next year. The Congress in 2009 will include IOC members, honorary and honour members; representatives of the International Federations, National Olympic Committees and Organising Committees; athletes and their support staff; referees, judges and technical officials; the IOC’s Olympic partners; and the media.
TOPICS OF DISCUSSION AT THE 13TH OLYMPIC CONGRESS
There are five themes for discussion in Copenhagen: Theme 1: The Athletes - Relationship between the athletes, the clubs, federations and the NOCs - Health protection in training and competition - The social and professional life of athletes during and after elite competition Theme 2: The Olympic Games - How to keep the Games as a premier event? - The Olympic values - Universality and developing countries Theme 3: The Structure of the Olympic Movement - The autonomy of the Olympic Movement - Good governance and ethics - The relationships between the Olympic Movement and its stakeholders Theme 4: Olympism and Youth - Moving towards an active society - Is competitive sport still appealing? - Youth sports events Theme 5: The Digital Revolution - A new management of sports rights - How to increase the size of the sports audience? - Communication with stakeholders in the digital age
