Following the SportAccord Convention in Sochi in 2015, you may have been aware of a rift between SportAccord and the International Olympic Committee. I am pleased to inform you, that following many months of turmoil, discussion and debate, the situation has now been formally stabilized by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the IOC and the Global Association of International Sports Federations GAISF (new name for SportAccord).
On Wednesday 9th November, at the SportAccord IF Forum, the President of GAISF, Patrick Baumann announced the following news:
- The name SportAccord has been retained for the annual convention and the multi-sport games.
- The framework for GAISF has 3 objectives:
- services to members,
- the convention & IF forum,
- and the multi-sport games.
- GAISF will not duplicate the services of the IOC.
- All those who participate in Olympic events, should be part of the GAISF family.
- It is part of a pyramid or elevator developing member IFs who are not yet on the IOC programme - the most developed, which are of interest to the public will be in Olympic programme.
- The MOU will align the processes and criteria for membership. The IOC is working on the recognition process and criteria for IOC recognition.
- GAISF will provide services - to help IFs grow events, their federations and governance.
- The MOU also states that the goal of GAISF is to organise multi-sport games, with support of IOC.
- The transfer of the Drug-Free Sport Unit (DFSU) to the new Independent Testing Authority (ITA) has been agreed in principle with IOC.
Observer Status
More than 100 organisations want to join GAISF. This includes some interesting organisations. Many applications have been reviewed - in theory, many could become members, 28 of these are combat sports. Seven have been awarded the new Observer status.
Observer status is given for two years, can be renewed only once, and could be revoked at any time.
GAISF has a new logo, and tag line
The new GAISF Logo represents globality and the Olympic values. It includes 6 colours - the five colours of the Olympic Rings, plus a sixth colour representing new sports.
The tag line is "One Voice for all Sport"
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