The ANOC Executive Council today expressed its complete support of IOC President Thomas Bach and the Rio 2016 Organising Committee as it looks forward with optimism to the months ahead which will see NOCs make their final preparations for the Games.
The ANOC Executive Council met at the ANOC headquarters and as well as discussing Rio 2016 received progress reports from the ANOC Commissions and Working Groups as it looks to continue to develop reforms and initiatives for the benefit of the NOCs and the Olympic Movement. Among the presentations given was an update from the ANOC Legal Commission and ANOC Modernisation and Follow Up Commission on their joint initiative to produce an ANOC Code of Ethics and ANOC Compliance Policy as part of ANOC’s commitment to good governance and transparency. The two Commissions are refining the documents which will be presented to the ANOC General Assembly in Doha for approval later this year.
The International Relations Commission also announced to the Council that UNESCO has established an official partnership (consultative status) with ANOC to build on the solid foundation of work between the two organisations. ANOC and UNESCO share many common interests and the partnership will further enhance the impact of their joint activities. As part of the partnership ANOC will look to work with UNESCO to bring governments and NOCs closer together while ensuring that the autonomy of sport is properly respected.
ANOC Senior Vice President Patrick Hickey – who is also the IOC Delegate Member for Autonomy – was unanimously approved by the Council as the ANOC representative on the IOC Executive Board.
Speaking after the meeting, ANOC President Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah said:
“Today was a highly productive meeting. With just four months to go until Rio 2016, our NOCs are working hard to prepare their athletes for the Games. We fully support the IOC President and the Rio 2016 Organising Committee and have no doubt that they will deliver a fantastic event where NOCs, athletes and fans will enjoy world-class competitions and a carnival atmosphere."
“At ANOC we will continue to work hard over the coming months to develop proposals and initiatives which will improve the support we provide our NOCs. As we heard today, the ANOC Commissions and Working Groups have been doing excellent work to try and identify projects which will bring real benefits to NOCs. During this difficult time for the international sports movement, it is vital that we continue to work together to promote good governance, ethics and the autonomy of sport in order to ensure a more transparent and sustainable future.”
The ANOC Executive Council today also received presentations on the ANOC World Beach Games in San Diego from the ANOC Events Working Group and an update on the preparations for the ANOC General Assembly in Doha. The Council approved the ANOC General Assembly logo which has been designed by the Qatar Olympic Committee and will be used for the event on 15-16 November 2016.