Olympism and Youth
“The Olympic Movement must strive to extend
its remit and to increase its influence with
young people across the world, using sport as
a catalyst for their education and development.”
Excerpt from the 66 Recommendations
of the XIII Olympic Congress
Excerpt from the 66 Recommendations
of the XIII Olympic Congress
© 2009 PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/AFP/Getty Images
FEATURES
>;The Olympic movement looks ahead
Prior to the event, the general public was given
the opportunity, within the frame of the online“Virtual
Olympic Congress”, to contribute with proposals to the
five topics that would be discussed in Copenhagen:
1. The Athlete, 2. The Olympic Games, 3. The Structure
of the Olympic Movement, 4. Olympism and Youth,
5. The Digital Revolution.
>
The Structure of the Olympic Movement
In accordance with the principles and values of
Olympism, the practice of sport must be run by
independent, autonomous sport organisations,
which are in full compliance with applicable
laws.
Several rowers made presentations or were involved
in the management of the Congress including
Denis Oswald (FISA President), Anita DeFrantz (FISA
Vice President), John Coates (FISA Council member),
and former Olympic silver medal coxswain Colin
Moynihan (British NOC President). “For those in
attendance at the Congress, the most unlikely topic
but the one that had the most resonance was
the digital revolution,” says FISA Executive Director
Matt Smith. ” The IOC made a big effort by inviting
world renowned experts to speak to the delegates
about this vitally important shift in modern society.
All present understood the critical importance
that new media played for sport in order to stay
present in the lives
of young people.”
FISA Executive Director Matt Smith agrees that
“rowing should also move forward in the area of
new media before it is too late. The FISA members
present all agreed after the presentations that
the advice provided at the Congress must be
implemented by FISA and the national rowing
federations soon.” Other members of the FISA
Council present were Denis Masseglia, who is
also president of the French National Olympic
Committee, and Eduardo Palomo, who is also
president of the El Salvador National Olympic
Committee.
Excerpt from the 66 Recommendations
of the XIII Olympic Congress
At the conclusion of the event, a total of 66
recommendations were drafted which will
be reviewed by working groups before being
forwarded to the relevant decision-making bodies
within the Olympic Movement. ; ■
The Digital Revolution
“Advances in communications technology
have ushered in a new digital age, which
has revolutionized information-sharing
and dissemination and which continues to
transform our society into a global network.
The Olympic Movement and its members
must be fully cognisant of the impact of
this development on all its activities. Future
strategies and approaches must be planned in
accordance with the massive new opportunities
and changes brought about by the digital
revolution.”
The Olympic Games
“The Olympic Movement fully embraces the
importance of embedding the key values of
environmental protection, development and
sustainability within the Olympic ideals. As part
of this commitment, all members of the Olympic
Family should facilitate the delivery of a lasting
sporting, environmental, and social legacy and
the IOC should accelerate the integration of
sustainability principles in the hosting of the
Olympic Games, which will also help to safeguard
their status as a premier event.”
Excerpt from the 66 Recommendations
of the XIII Olympic Congress
International Olympic Committee
(IOC) President Jacques Rogge
at the 2009 Olympic Congress in
Copenhagen, Denmark.
