Olympic Agenda 2020 Plus 5 receives approval as the strategic roadmap to 2025 by the IOC Session

According to a press release by the International Olympic Committee, the IOC Session on Friday, after a lively debate, unanimously approved Olympic Agenda 2020+5 as the new strategic roadmap of the IOC and the Olympic Movement through to 2025.

The new roadmap comprises 15 recommendations that builds on the accomplishments of Olympic Agenda 2020. In the coming five years, it will serve as a guide for the work of IOC and the Olympic Movement. 

Introducing the debates, IOC President Thomas Bach explained: “The coronavirus crisis has changed our world in fundamental ways. The world will never again be like it was before. Even once we have finally overcome the health crisis, we will face the far-reaching social, financial, economic and political consequences.”

He continued: “As leaders of the Olympic Movement, we must prepare ourselves for this new world. In order to shape our future, we need a vision of how this new world will look like.”

The 15 recommendations that constitute Olympic Agenda 2020+5 have been made as a result of inclusive and collaborative efforts. Based on key trends that are identified after thorough research as expected to be decisive factors in the post-corona virus world. They are also the places where sport and the Olympic Values can play a vital role in converting challenges into opportunities.

The five trends that have been identified are:

Solidarity

Global solidarity is under challenge at a time when it is required the most. Solidarity is at the heart of everything that the purpose of the Olympic Movement stands for. Also, the Global Leaders represented by the G20 and organisations like the UN have cleared that the world can overcome the present hardships only by united efforts and standing in solidarity.

This brings forward an opportunity for the Olympic Movement to team up with these like-minded leaders and organisations to contribute through sports for a far better and more inclusive world by the means of solidarity.

Digitalisation

Digitalisation has seen a rapid growth in recent times. The new digital era has brought great potential along with great risks. If managed appropriately, this could help the world usher in a new era of prosperity, connectivity and cooperation.

Digitalisation will also give an opportunity to reach people directly, interact with the younger generation and propagate the values of the Olympics.

Sustainability

One of the biggest pillars of Olympic Agenda 2020, sustainability needs to be at the centre of all the activities of the IOC and the Olympic Movement.

Keeping in mind the future, the Olympic Movement must now grab the opportunity to stand by its responsibility to make sure that sport continues to explore its potential as a key enabler to accomplish the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Credibility

Another pillar of the Olympic Agenda 2020, the need for credibility continues to be felt. Recent times have been a witness to the growing erosion of trust in governments, social institutions, business and organisations like the IOC.

Here the IOC is presented with both, an opportunity and a responsibility. While the IOC has taken important steps in the area of credibility, it needs to carry on the work and broaden the scope of these achievements pertaining to integrity, transparency and good governance.

Economic and financial resilience

Developing economic and financial resilience will be important for nations and businesses around the world. However, the new resilience will have to be purpose-driven. Through the values and the contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the Olympic Movement can be this purpose. By joining hands with similar purpose-led organizations, It can make contributions in maximising not profit, but value for society at large.

Concluding his introduction, President Bach commented: “Olympic Agenda 2020+5 as our vision for the future of the Olympic Movement addresses these overarching trends. The aim is to build even more solidarity, to harness the positive potential of digitalisation, to be the impactful enabler to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals, to strengthen the credibility of the constituents of the Olympic Movement, and to join forces with other values- or purpose-driven organisations.”

Thanking everyone who had participated, he said: “The 15 recommendations have been developed in a collaborative initiative, involving all stakeholders of the Olympic Movement, but especially with input and feedback from all of you, the IOC Members, in particular through your work and contribution in the different IOC Commissions. Olympic Agenda 2020+5 has been developed by all of us and therefore belongs to the entire Olympic Movement.”

A lively debate followed around each of the 15 recommendations:

– Strengthen the uniqueness and the universality of the Olympic Games

– Foster sustainable Olympic Games

– Reinforce athletes’ rights and responsibilities

– Continue to attract best athletes

– Further strengthen safe sport and the protection of clean athletes

– Enhance and promote the Road to the Olympic Games

– Coordinate the harmonisation of the sports calendar

– Grow digital engagement with people

– Encourage the development of virtual sports and further engage with video gaming communities

– Strengthen the role of sport as an important enabler for the UN Sustainable Development Goals

– Strengthen the support to refugees and populations affected by displacement

– Reach out beyond the Olympic community

– Continue to lead by example in corporate citizenship

– Strengthen the Olympic Movement through good governance

– Innovate revenue generation models

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