Sweeping IOC reforms to change Olympic Games forever

The International Olympic Committee has unanimously passed 40 reforms that will allow the sporting event to be staged in two countries, add new sports and create a new Games television channel.

A man walks past the Olympic rings before the opening of the 127th International Olympic Committee (IOC) session in Monaco, 08 December 2014. (EPA/SEBASTIEN NOGIER)

The long list of reforms proposed by IOC President Thomas Bach are part of a push to make the world’s biggest sporting event cheaper to stage and more attractive for host countries.

 

The 40 proposals were put by Mr Bach to a special session of the 104 member IOC in Monaco.

 

All the reforms were passed unanimously on the first day of the two day summit.

 

“I know that for many members some of the recommendations were not easy to swallow,” Mr Bach said.

 

“But in my wildest dreams, I would not have expected this but you know it showed the great determination of the members for these reforms and to make this progress and to make it happen.”

 

Members of the Australian Olympic Committee have welcomed the changes and tweeted their support of the rules shake up.

The IOC allowed for future Games to be hosted by two cities, or two countries, for "sustainability" and "geography" reasons.

Bach sought the change to the Olympic Charter to reduce the cost of the Games and to allow smaller countries to bid.

But he stressed there would have to be "exceptional" circumstances to move away from the single city formula used for the past century.

Host cities will also be allowed to suggest a one-off extra sport to the program, which would have to be approved by the IOC, clearing the way for organisers of the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo to request that baseball and softball be included in the Games.

 

The decision is also fueling speculation about the 2018 Winter Olympics, which is to be held in South Korea, with reports that talks were being held to move some of the competitions to Japan.

Rules shake up:

• The IOC allowed for future Games to be hosted by two cities or two countries for sustainability and geography reasons.
• Abolishment of the cap of 28 sports for the Summer Games to move to an ‘events-based’ system, allowing new competitions to come in. It will keep competitors to about 10,500 athletes and 310 medal events.
• Bidding for the Games should become cheaper by cutting Olympic red tape and allowing the IOC to pay more of the costs
• Host cities will be allowed to suggest a one-off extra sport to the program, subject to approval by the IOC
• An Olympic television channel could be launched as early as next year after the IOC overwhelmingly backed the plan.