The ROC President took part in the online conference of G20 National Olympic Committees (NOCs), organized at the initiative of Saudi Arabia as part of the G20 Summit’s International Conferences Program.
The heads of the NOCs of Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Great Britain, Germany, India, Spain, Italy, Canada, China, Singapore, USA, Turkey, France, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland and Japan participated in the discussion on the topic “The Olympic Movement during and after COVID-19.”
The parties touched upon the issues of participation in the Olympic Games due to be held in Tokyo, discussed ways of interaction and cooperation between National Olympic Committees, as well as the role of sport in sustainable development.
“During the coronavirus pandemic, all members of the Olympic family not only faced unprecedented challenges, but also gained unique experience,” said Stanislav Pozdnyakov in his speech. “Almost 130 years ago, Pierre de Coubertin revived the Olympic Games and introduced the concept of modern Olympism. At the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries, Juan Antonio Samaranch turned the Games into an economically sustainable and successful project. In turn, Thomas Bach presented the Olympic Agenda 2020 to the world, and now we are working on this together for the foreseeable future.
In light of recent events, it is becoming clear that the Olympic Movement is on the verge of major changes that require consistent and well-coordinated efforts from all of us, taking into account the interests of the entire Olympic family, while maintaining the undeniable leadership and managing role of the International Olympic Committee. This is the only way to maintain the unifying and peacemaking role of sport. Sport is beyond political and other similar contradictions,” added the President of the ROC.
Stanislav Pozdnyakov also noted that since 2018, the ROC had accumulated unprecedented experience in resolving various crisis situations, including in close cooperation with the entire Olympic and sports movement.
“Today, the results of our work can serve as a benchmark in areas such as Olympic and anti-doping education, good governance, the fight for clean sport, and the promotion of Olympic values,” said Stanislav Pozdnyakov. “Russian sport has historically been an integral part of the international sports movement. We are open for cooperation and we are ready to share our experience with all interested parties for the benefit of the bright future of Olympism because only together can we become stronger.”
IOC President Thomas Bach spoke about the support that the IOC provided to members of the Olympic Movement during the coronavirus pandemic. He also noted the importance of sport in restoring the socio-economic aspects of society and improving the health of the world’s population.
The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Ghebreyesus thanked the conference participants for supporting the initiatives for developing mass sports aimed at involving as many people as possible in regular physical education.
The program of the online conference also included a speech by the head of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Witold Bańka. According to him, WADA has been able to draw useful lessons from the coronavirus pandemic, which should reduce the negative impact of such crises in the future. Mr. Banka noted that WADA would continue to work with WHO to protect the health of athletes during doping tests.
IOC member HRH Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud made a presentation on gender balance and the role of women in the international sports community. IOC Director of Olympic Solidarity and NOC Relations James MacLeod spoke about the impact of the pandemic on support programs while representatives of the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee focused on measures to simplify the Olympic Games and fight the coronavirus.
The Acting President of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) Robin Mitchell, as well as representatives of the European Olympic Committees (EOC), the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF), the Association of International Olympic Winter Sports Federations (AIOWF), the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF), the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), the Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC), the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA), the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO), the Alliance of Independent recognized Members of Sport (AIMS) and the Association of IOC Recognized International Sports Federations (ARISF) also took part in the online conference.
