Olympic Sport Policy: Olympic Sport Policy


By the end of this class you should know: By the end of this class you should know Role of the International Olympic Committee Mandate, Governance Structure and Priorities of the Canadian Olympic Committee Policy Issues Facing Olympic Sport


Major Games in Amateur Sport: Major Games in Amateur Sport Olympic Games Paralympics Pan American Games Commonwealth Games World University Games World Games for the Deaf Special Olympics World Games


Olympic History: Olympic History The first Olympic Games were held in 776 BC by Greeks…every 4 years Chariot racing, boxing, wrestling, footraces, discus, archery Sport was part of primitive religious festivals; played to honour gods Wars stopped to allow for games Games were abolished in AD 393


The Olympic Movement: The Olympic Movement The Festival of the Olympiad was reinstituted in 1896 (Athens) 245 male athletes from 13 nations


International Olympic Committee: International Olympic Committee Baron Pierre de Courbertin (1896-1925) relaunched the Olympics IOC founded in June 1894 to govern Olympic organization and policy


The IOC: The IOC Nonprofit organization independent of any government or nationality Revenue in the billions IOC receives revenues from rights to the Olympic games, associated marks and terminology Comprised of 115 members Jacques Rogge current President


IOC Mandate: IOC Mandate To encourage sport development, coordination and collaboration…to place sport at the service of humanity To ensure Olympic games held To promote peace, sport ethics, fair play, concern for the environment and sport for all To fight discrimination, violence, doping…affecting health of athletes


Canadian Olympic Committee Vision: Canadian Olympic Committee Vision Canada’s Winter Olympic Team in 2010 being 1st in the World Canada’s Olympic Team in 2012 being among the Top 8 Nations Canada is a country where sport is central to its culture as evidenced by an active and healthy population participating at all levels in all communities Olympic values, drug free participation and ethical behaviour guide our athletes and Canadian youth


COC Role: COC Role COC is responsible for all aspects of involvement in the Olympic Movement: Participation in Olympic and Pan American Games Managing a variety of cultural and educational programs promoting Olympic values Grass roots programming to promote Olympic values Selecting and supporting Canadian cities to bid to host games


COC Mission and Goals: COC Mission and Goals The Canadian Olympic Committee is dedicated to developing and advancing sport and the Olympic Movement for all Canadians from coast-to-coast-to-coast Top 3 in 2006 (Turin) Top 16 in 2008 (Beijing) First in 2010 (Vancouver) Top 8 in 2012


COC Governance: COC Governance Two-tiered system of governance, Board of Directors (77) and staff Board sets policy, vision and strategic direction Current CEO is Chris Rudge “Rights holder” to hosting the Olympic Games in Canada Host duties turned over to Organizing Committee for Olympic Games (OCOG)


COC Sponsors: COC Sponsors


A Look Back (2001-04): A Look Back (2001-04) In 2001 Board agreed a new approach to the distribution of funding Funding to NSOs based on results at most recent Olympics or Pan Am Games In 2002 created Canadian Olympic Excellence Fund to provide special funding for high performance athletes (7+M) Own the Podium 2010 Program (2005-08) to result in 35 medals in Vancouver


Current Policy Issues: Current Policy Issues Performance Enhancement: Doping Control through Drug Testing 1968 beginning of drug testing for athletes World Anti Doping Agency formed 1999 Mandate: communicate, define, test, sanction


Current Policy Issues: Current Policy Issues Choosing a Host City Policy to guide bid selection process Policy to address behaviour of IOC members re: bid cities IOC Ethics Commission created


Current Policy Issues: Current Policy Issues Corporate Sponsorship IOC has policy to define who has the right to market and sell which sponsorships Added clause giving veto power over sponsors’ marketing plans Host city must not have over-reliance on commercial sponsorship


Current Policy Issues: Current Policy Issues Television Rights IOC retains the right to negotiate television contract and shares revenues among the NSOs, OGOCs and ISFs


Current Policy Issues: Current Policy Issues New Olympic Sports How many sports should the Olympics include? IOC has policy to define exactly which sports will compete and how to add new sports 3 categories: active, recognized, past


Current Policy Issues: Current Policy Issues Security Major issue IOC, NSO and OCOG all have security policies in place Olympic Village accreditation


Current Policy Issues: Current Policy Issues Image and Politics IOC has taken great pains to maintain image of excellence and ethical behaviour; role in world peace…. However, viewed by some as a closed shop Politics are unavoidable…governments use Olympics to send messages via boycotts, etc.