View source for International Olympic Committee

{{Short description|Governing body of Olympic sports}}
{{Redirect|IOC}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2026}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox organization
| name             = International Olympic Committee
| image            = Siège CIO 2020 (1).jpg
| caption          = IOC headquarters in [[Lausanne]], Switzerland
| abbreviation     = {{Native name|En|IOC}}, {{Native name|Fr|CIO}}
| image_size       = 250
| type             = [[Sports governing body|Sports federation]] ([[Swiss association|association organised under the laws of the Swiss Confederation]])
| formation        = {{Start date and age|1894|6|23|df=yes}}
| native_name      = {{Native name|fr|Comité international olympique}}
| native_name_lang = 
| logo             = International Olympic Committee logo 2021.svg
| headquarters     = Olympic House,<br>[[Lausanne]], Switzerland
| num_members      = 106 active members, 206 individual National Olympic Committees
| leader_title     = Honorary President
| leader_name      = [[Thomas Bach]]
| leader_title2    = [[President of the International Olympic Committee|President]]
| leader_name2     = [[Kirsty Coventry]]<ref name="olympic1">{{Cite web|url=https://olympics.com/ioc/executive-board|title=IOC Executive Board|publisher=International Olympic Committee|access-date=25 March 2025|archive-date=16 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116115218/https://olympics.com/ioc/executive-board|url-status=live}}</ref>
| leader_title3    = Vice Presidents
| leader_title4    = Director General
| leader_name4     = [[Christophe De Kepper]]
| leader_name3     = [[Nawal El Moutawakel]]<br />[[Gerardo Werthein]]<br />[[Pierre-Olivier Beckers-Vieujant]]<br />[[Juan Antonio Samaranch Salisachs|Juan Antonio Samaranch]]<ref name="olympic1"/>
| language         = [[French language|French]] (reference language), [[English language|English]], and the host country's language when necessary
| website          = {{Official URL}}
| footnotes        = '''Anthem:''' [[Olympic Anthem]]<br />'''Motto:''' ''[[Citius, Altius, Fortius (Olympic motto)|Citius, Altius, Fortius – Communiter]]''<br />([[Latin]]: Faster, Higher, Stronger – Together)
| founders         = [[Pierre de Coubertin]]<br>[[Demetrios Vikelas]]
}}
The '''International Olympic Committee''' ('''IOC'''){{efn|{{langx|fr|link=no|Comité international olympique, '''CIO'''}}}} is the international, [[non-governmental organization|non-governmental]], [[sports governing body]] of the modern [[Olympic Games]]. Founded in 1894 by [[Pierre de Coubertin]] and [[Demetrios Vikelas]], it is based in [[Lausanne]], Switzerland. The IOC is the authority responsible for organising the [[Summer Olympic Games|Summer]], [[Winter Olympic Games|Winter]], and [[Youth Olympic Games|Youth]] Olympics.<ref>Roger Bartlett, Chris Gratton, Christer G. Rolf ''Encyclopedia of International Sports Studies''. Routledge, 2012, p. 678</ref>  The IOC is also the governing body of the [[National Olympic Committee]]s (NOCs) and the worldwide '''Olympic Movement''', which includes all entities and individuals involved in the Olympic Games. {{As of|2020}}, 206 NOCs officially were recognised by the IOC. Since 2025, the [[President of the International Olympic Committee|IOC president]] has been [[Kirsty Coventry]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=@FILuge |title=Getting to know IOC President-elect Kirsty Coventry |url=https://www.fil-luge.org/en/news/getting-to-know-ioc-president-elect-kirsty-coventry |access-date=2026-04-18 |website=conTRANCE |language=en}}</ref>

{{Toclimit}}

== Mission ==
Its stated mission is to promote [[Olympism]] throughout the world and to lead the Olympic Movement:<ref>{{cite web |title=Olympic Charter |url=https://stillmed.olympics.com/media/Document%20Library/OlympicOrg/General/EN-Olympic-Charter.pdf |website=Olympics.com |publisher=International Olympic Committee |access-date=11 January 2023 |archive-date=19 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119013958/https://stillmed.olympics.com/media/Document%20Library/OlympicOrg/General/EN-Olympic-Charter.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

*To encourage and support the promotion of ethics and good governance in sport;
*To support the education of youth through sport;
*To ensure that the spirit of fair play prevails and violence is avoided;
*To encourage and support the organisation, development, and coordination of sport and sports competitions;
*To ensure the regular celebration of the [[Olympic Games]];
*To cooperate with competent public or private organisations and authorities endeavouring to place sport at the service of humanity and thereby to promote peace;
*To take action to strengthen the unity, independence, political neutrality, and autonomy of the Olympic Movement;
*To encourage and support elected representatives of athletes, working with the IOC Athletes' Commission  as their official representative;
*To encourage and support the promotion of women in sport in pursuit of equality between men and women;
*To protect clean athletes and the integrity of sport, by leading the fight against doping, and by taking action against all forms of manipulation of competitions and related corruption;
*To encourage and support measures relating to the medical care and health of athletes;
*To oppose any political or commercial abuse of sport and athletes;
*To encourage and support the efforts of sports organisations and public authorities to provide for the social and professional future of athletes;
*To encourage and support the development of sport for all;
*To encourage and support a responsible concern for environmental issues, to promote sustainable development in sport and to require that the Olympic Games are operated accordingly;
*To promote a positive legacy from the Olympic Games to the host cities, regions and countries;
*To encourage and support initiatives blending sport with culture and education;
*To encourage and support the activities of the [[International Olympic Academy]] ("IOA") and other institutions which dedicate themselves to Olympic education;
*To promote safe sport and the protection of athletes from all forms of harassment and abuse.

As defined by the IOC, [[Sport]] pertains to a form of competitive and organised physical activity or game; that aims to use or improve physical fitness and skills while providing passion, cooperation, and entertainment to participants and spectators alike.

== IOC member oath ==
All IOC members must swear to the following:

"Honoured to be chosen as a member of the International Olympic Committee,
I fully accept all the responsibilities that this office brings:
I promise to serve the Olympic Movement to the best of my ability.
I will respect the [[Olympic Charter]] and accept the decisions of the IOC.
I will always act independently of commercial and political interests as well as
of any racial or religious consideration.
I will fully comply with the IOC Code of Ethics.
I promise to fight against all forms of discrimination and dedicate myself
in all circumstances to promote the interests of the International Olympic
Committee and Olympic Movement."

==History==
[[File:International Olympic Committee Headquarters (2).jpg|thumb|Current IOC headquarters in [[Lausanne]], Switzerland.]]
[[File:Nouveau siège du CIO.JPG|thumb|The main entrance of the former headquarters of the International Olympic Committee in Lausanne]] 
The IOC was created by [[Pierre de Coubertin]], on 23 June 1894 with [[Demetrios Vikelas]] as its first president. The IOC is one of the earliest and is still one of the most powerful international NGOs.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Short |first=John R. |date=December 2008 |title=Globalization, cities and the Summer Olympics |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13604810802478888 |journal=City |language=en |volume=12 |issue=3 |pages=321–340 |doi=10.1080/13604810802478888 |bibcode=2008City...12..321S |issn=1360-4813|url-access=subscription }}</ref> As of February 2022, its membership consists of 105 active members and 45 honorary members.<ref>{{cite web|title=IOC Members List|url=https://www.olympic.org/ioc-members-list|access-date=3 October 2021|archive-date=5 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160805023228/https://www.olympic.org/ioc-members-list|url-status=live}}</ref> The IOC is the supreme authority of the worldwide modern Olympic Movement.

The IOC organises the modern [[Olympic Games]] and [[Youth Olympic Games]] (YOG), held in summer and winter every four years. The first [[Summer Olympics]] was held in [[Athens]], Greece, in [[1896 Summer Olympics|1896]]; the first [[Winter Olympics]] was in [[Chamonix]], France, in [[1924 Winter Olympics|1924]]. The first Summer YOG was in [[Singapore]] in [[2010 Summer Youth Olympics|2010]], and the first Winter YOG was in [[Innsbruck]], Austria in [[2012 Winter Youth Olympics|2012]].

Until 1992, both the Summer and Winter Olympics were held in the same year. After that year, however, the IOC shifted the Winter Olympics to the even years between Summer Games to help space the planning of the two events from one another, and to improve the financial balance of the IOC, which receives a proportionally greater advertising and other income in Olympic years.<ref>{{cite web|last=Nucilli|first=Ryleigh|title=Here's Why the Olympics Are Held Every 4 Years|url=https://www.rd.com/article/why-olympics-are-held-every-4-years/|date=27 January 2026|website=Reader's Digest|access-date=20 February 2026}}</ref>

Since 1995, the IOC has worked to address environmental health concerns resulting from hosting the games. In 1995, IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch stated, "the International Olympic Committee is resolved to ensure that the environment becomes the third dimension of the organisation of the Olympic Games, the first and second being sport and culture."<ref>{{cite journal |last=Jagemann |first=H. |date=2003 |title=Sport and the Environment: Ways toward Achieving the Sustainable Development of Sport |url=http://thesportjournal.org/article/sports-and-the-environment-ways-towards-achieving-the-sustainable-development-of-sport/ |url-status=live |journal=The Sports Journal |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161027012808/http://thesportjournal.org/article/sports-and-the-environment-ways-towards-achieving-the-sustainable-development-of-sport/ |archive-date=27 October 2016 |access-date=23 October 2016}}</ref> Acting on this statement, in 1996 the IOC added the "environment" as a third pillar to its vision for the Olympic Games.<ref>Beyer S. (2006). The green Olympic Movement: Beijing 2008. Chinese Journal of International Law, 5:2, 423–440.</ref>

In 2000, the "Green Olympics" effort was developed by the Beijing Organising Committee for the Beijing Olympic Games. The Beijing [[2008 Summer Olympics]] executed over 160 projects addressing the goals of improved [[air quality]] and [[water quality]], sustainable energy, improved waste management, and environmental education. These projects included industrial plant relocation or closure, furnace replacement, introduction of new emission standards, and more strict traffic control.<ref>Chen Y, Jin GZ, Kumar N, Shi G. (2012). The Promise of Beijing: Evaluating the Impact of the 2008 Olympic Games on Air Quality. Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, 66, 424–433.</ref>

In 2009, the [[UN General Assembly]] granted the IOC [[Observer status|Permanent Observer]] status. The decision enables the IOC to be directly involved in the UN Agenda and to attend UN General Assembly meetings where it can take the floor. In 1993, the General Assembly approved a Resolution to further solidify IOC–UN cooperation by reviving the [[Olympic Truce]].<ref>{{cite web|access-date=14 September 2016|date=21 June 2016|title=Cooperation with the UN|url=https://www.olympic.org/cooperation-with-the-un|archive-date=16 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116085047/https://www.olympic.org/cooperation-with-the-un|url-status=live}}</ref>

The IOC received approval in November 2015 to construct a new headquarters in [[Vidy]], Lausanne. The cost of the project was estimated to stand at $156m.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/culture/olympic-spirit_lausanne-gives-green-light-to-new-ioc-headquarters/41799974|title=Lausanne gives green light to new IOC headquarters|last1=swissinfo.ch|first1=S. W. I.|last2=Corporation|first2=a branch of the Swiss Broadcasting|website=SWI swissinfo.ch|date=25 November 2015 |language=en|access-date=12 February 2019|archive-date=12 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212131504/https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/culture/olympic-spirit_lausanne-gives-green-light-to-new-ioc-headquarters/41799974|url-status=live}}</ref> The IOC announced on 11 February 2019 that the "Olympic House" would be inaugurated on 23 June 2019 to coincide with its 125th anniversary.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.olympic.org/olympic-house|title=OLYMPIC HOUSE|publisher=IOC|access-date=3 March 2019|archive-date=6 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306043634/https://www.olympic.org/olympic-house|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Olympic Museum]] remains in [[Ouchy]], Lausanne.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.olympic.org/news/olympic-house-to-officially-open-on-olympic-day|title=Olympic House to officially open on Olympic Day – Olympic News|date=11 February 2019|website=International Olympic Committee|language=en|access-date=12 February 2019|archive-date=12 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212131019/https://www.olympic.org/news/olympic-house-to-officially-open-on-olympic-day|url-status=live}}</ref>

Since 2002, the IOC has been involved in several high-profile controversies including taking gifts,<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Mallon|first1=Dr. Bill|year=2000|title=The Olympic Bribery Scandal|journal=The Journal of Olympic History|volume=8|issue=2|pages=11–27|publisher=International Society of Olympic Historians|url=http://www.la84foundation.org/SportsLibrary/JOH/JOHv8n2/johv8n2f.pdf|access-date=31 July 2012|archive-date=3 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120803120941/http://www.la84foundation.org/SportsLibrary/JOH/JOHv8n2/johv8n2f.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> its [[DMCA]] take down request of the [[2008 Tibetan unrest|2008 Tibetan protest]] videos,<ref name="f918">{{cite web |last=Scott|first=Matt|title=IOC under fire for removal of protest video|website=The Guardian|date=14 August 2008|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/aug/15/olympics20083|access-date=1 December 2025}}</ref> [[Doping in Russia|Russian doping scandals]],<ref name="t331">{{cite web |last=Grohmann|first=Karolos|title=The IOC, WADA, CAS and the Russian doping story explained|website=Reuters|date=8 February 2018|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/world/factbox-the-ioc-wada-cas-and-the-russian-doping-story-explained-idUSKBN1FS16P/|access-date=1 December 2025}}</ref> and its support of the [[2022 Winter Olympics|Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics]] despite China's human rights violations documented in the [[Xinjiang papers|Xinjiang Papers]].<ref name="p212">{{cite web |last=Wang|first=Vivian|title=Faced With Questions About Forced Labor in China, the I.O.C. Is Tight-Lipped|website=The New York Times|date=4 January 2022|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/04/world/asia/ioc-china.html|access-date=1 December 2025}}</ref>

Detailed frameworks for [[environmental sustainability]] were prepared for the [[2018 Winter Olympics]] and [[2020 Summer Olympics]] in [[Pyeongchang County|PyeongChang, South Korea]], and [[Tokyo]], Japan, respectively.<ref>{{cite web |title=Creating a New Horizon for Sustainable 2018 PyeongChang Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games: Furthering Benefits to Human and Nature |url=http://www.pyeongchang2018.com/_common/upload/ENG_PyeongChang_Sustainability_Framework_Report_2.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161027055001/http://www.pyeongchang2018.com/_common/upload/ENG_PyeongChang_Sustainability_Framework_Report_2.pdf |archive-date=27 October 2016 |access-date=26 October 2016 |publisher=The PyeongChang Organizing Committee for the 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games High-level Sustainability Plan |url=https://tokyo2020.jp/en/games/sustainability/data/sus-plan-EN.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161027123356/https://tokyo2020.jp/en/games/sustainability/data/sus-plan-EN.pdf |archive-date=27 October 2016 |access-date=23 October 2016 |publisher=The Tokyo Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games}}</ref>

In September 2024, the IOC revealed its list of candidates for the presidency, featuring [[Sebastian Coe]], [[David Lappartient]], [[Kirsty Coventry]], and [[Juan Antonio Samaranch Salisachs]] among the seven contenders. The other candidates included [[Prince Faisal bin Hussein]] and the Presidents of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation and the International Gymnastics Federation, [[Johan Eliasch]] and [[Morinari Watanabe]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://olympics.com/ioc/news/seven-candidates-announced-for-ioc-presidency|title=Seven candidates announced for IOC presidency|publisher=olympics.com|access-date=16 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Gardner |first=Jamie |title=Lord Coe confirms bid to be next IOC president as seven candidates confirmed |date=16 September 2024 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/lord-coe-ioc-president-olympics-b2613621.html |website=The Independent |access-date=16 September 2024}}</ref>

In February 2025, the IOC announced the inaugural [[Olympic Esports Games]] would take place in 2027 in [[Riyadh]], the capital city of Saudi Arabia. The IOC will collaborate with the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) to produce the event, which President Thomas Bach called "historic".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Xu |first=Davide |date=11 February 2025 |title=Inaugural Olympic Esports Games confirmed for 2027 |url=https://esportsinsider.com/2025/02/olympic-esports-games-2027-esports-world-cup |access-date=13 February 2025 |website=Esports Insider |language=en-GB}}</ref>

In March 2025, [[Kirsty Coventry]] became the first woman and the first African to be elected as President of the IOC. Coventry's vision for the [[Olympic Games|Olympics]] emphasises making the Games accessible to everyone again, no matter where they were born, while aiming to leverage sports as a global unifier. In parallel, the IOC is focused on strengthening its collaboration with [[BRICS]] nations, fostering a spirit of unity and cooperation through sports, and encouraging the idea of the Olympics as a truly global event.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mabunda |first=Sindiswa |title=Kirsty Coventry Makes History As The IOC's First Female And First African President |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/sindiswamabunda/2025/03/20/kirsty-coventry-makes-history-as-the-iocs-first-female-and-first-african-president/ |access-date=2 April 2025 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=IFMA Congratulates Kirsty Coventry on Historic Election as IOC President – International Federation of Muaythai Associations |url=https://muaythai.sport/ifma-congratulates-kirsty-coventry-on-historic-election-as-ioc-president/ |access-date=2 April 2025 |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Organisation==
{{See also|President of the International Olympic Committee|Olympic Congress}}
It is an association under the [[Swiss Civil Code]] ([[Swiss association|articles 60–79]]).

===IOC Session===
{{See also|List of IOC meetings}}
The [[IOC Session]] is the general meeting of the IOC, held once a year, at which each member has one vote. It is the IOC's supreme organ and its decisions are final.

Extraordinary Sessions may be convened by the President or upon the written request of at least one-third of the members.

Among others, the powers of the Session are:
*To adopt or amend the Olympic Charter.
*To elect the members of the IOC, the Honorary President and the honorary members.
*To elect the President, the vice-presidents and all other members of the IOC Executive Board.
*To elect the host city of the Olympic Games.

===Subsidiaries===
* Olympic Foundation (Lausanne, Switzerland)
* [[Olympic Refuge Foundation]] (Lausanne, Switzerland)
* IOC Television and Marketing Services S.A. (Lausanne, Switzerland)
* The Olympic Partner Programme (Lausanne, Switzerland)
* Olympic Broadcasting Services S.A. (Lausanne, Switzerland)
* [[Olympic Broadcasting Services|Olympic Broadcasting Services S.L.]] ([[Madrid]], Spain)
* Olympic Channel Services S.A. (Lausanne, Switzerland)
* Olympic Channel Services S.L. (Madrid, Spain)
* Olympic Foundation for Culture and Heritage (Lausanne, Switzerland)
* IOC Heritage Management
* Olympic Studies Centre
* [[Olympic Museum]] (Lausanne, Switzerland)
* International Programmes for Arts, Culture and Education
* Olympic Solidarity (Lausanne, Switzerland)

==IOC members==
{{Further|List of members of the International Olympic Committee}}
[[File: Albert Meyer 4 Olympia 1896.jpg|thumb|The first IOC, at the [[1896 Summer Olympics|1896 Athens Games]] From left to right, standing: Gebhardt (Germany), [[Jiří Stanislav Guth-Jarkovský|Guth-Jarkovský]] (Bohemia), Kemeny (Hungary), Balck (Sweden); seated: Coubertin (France), Vikelas (Greece & chairman), Butovsky (Russia) ]]

The number of all serving IOC members may not exceed 115. When named, they became IOC members in their respective countries rather than representatives of those countries to the IOC.

Categories of the IOC members include:
*Athlete representatives from the [[IOC Athletes' Commission]] (IOC AC);
*Representatives from [[List of international sports federations|international sports federations]] (IFs), associations of IFs or other organisations recognised by the IOC;
*Representatives from [[National Olympic Committee]]s (NOCs), or world or continental associations of NOCs;
*Individual members, whose memberships are not linked to any specific functions in said organisations.

===Cessation of membership===
Membership ends under the following circumstances:<ref>Source: Olympic Charter, in force as from 1 September 2004.</ref>

*Resignation: any IOC member may end their membership at any time by delivering a written resignation to the President.
*Non-re-election: any IOC member ceases to be a member without further formality if they are not re-elected.
*Age limit: any IOC member ceases to be a member at the end of the calendar year during which they reach the age of 70 or 80. Any member who joined in the 1900s ceases to be a member at age 80, and any member who joined in the 2000s ceases to be a member at age 70.
*Failure to attend sessions or take an active part in IOC work for two consecutive years.
*Transfer of domicile or of the main centre of interests to a country other than their country at the time of their election.
*Members elected as active athletes cease to be members upon ceasing to be members of the [[IOC Athletes' Commission]].
*Presidents and individuals holding an executive or senior leadership position within NOCs, world or continental associations of NOCs, IFs or associations of IFs, or other organisations recognised by the IOC cease to be a member upon ceasing to exercise the function they were exercising at the time of their election.
*Expulsion: an IOC member may be expelled by decision of the session if such member has betrayed their oath or if the Session considers that such member has neglected or knowingly jeopardised the interests of the IOC or acted in a way which is unworthy of the IOC.

===Sports federations recognised by IOC===
IOC recognises 82 [[List of international sports federations|international sports federations]] (IFs):<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.olympic.org/content/the-ioc/governance/international-federations/?tab=mission|title=International federations|publisher=olympic.org|access-date=4 June 2012|archive-date=22 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120822003016/http://www.olympic.org/content/the-ioc/governance/international-federations/?tab=mission|url-status=live}}</ref>
*The 33 members of the [[Association of Summer Olympic International Federations]] (ASOIF).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asoif.com/members|title=ASOIF – Members|publisher=asoif.com|access-date=8 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821214725/http://www.asoif.com/members|archive-date=21 August 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*The 7 members of the [[Association of International Olympic Winter Sports Federations]] (AIOWF).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.olympic.org/content/the-ioc/governance/international-federations/?tab=aiowf |title=AIOWF – Members |publisher=olympic.org |access-date=4 June 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120629102620/http://www.olympic.org/content/the-ioc/governance/international-federations/?tab=aiowf |archive-date=29 June 2012}}</ref>
*The 42 members of the [[Association of IOC Recognised International Sports Federations]] (ARISF).<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.arisf.org/who-we-are.aspx | title=Who We Are – ARISF (Association of IOC Recognised Sports Federation) | publisher=ARISF | date=2018 | access-date=17 November 2016 | archive-date=11 August 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811214304/http://www.arisf.org/who-we-are.aspx | url-status=live }}</ref>

==Honours==
IOC awards gold, silver, and bronze medals for the top three competitors in each sporting event.

Other honours:
*[[Pierre de Coubertin Medal]]: athletes who demonstrate a special spirit of sportsmanship<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://time.com/4461464/olympic-runners-pierre-de-coubertin-medal/|title=These Olympic Runners Just Won a Major Honor|magazine=Time|language=en|access-date=12 February 2019|archive-date=7 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207132410/http://time.com/4461464/olympic-runners-pierre-de-coubertin-medal/|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Olympic Cup]]: institutions or associations with a record of merit and integrity in developing the Olympic Movement<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 June 2023 |title=Olympic Order awarded to WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus |url=https://olympics.com/ioc/news/olympic-order-awarded-to-who-director-general-tedros-ghebreyesus |access-date=5 August 2024 |website=International Olympic Committee}}</ref>
*[[Olympic Order]]: individuals for exceptionally distinguished contributions to the Olympic Movement; superseded the Olympic Certificate<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.olympic.org/news/ioc-president-awards-the-olympic-order-to-pyeongchang-2018-organisers|title=IOC President awards the Olympic Order to PyeongChang 2018 organisers|date=5 February 2019|website=International Olympic Committee|language=en|access-date=12 February 2019|archive-date=12 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210312125818/https://www.olympic.org/news/ioc-president-awards-the-olympic-order-to-pyeongchang-2018-organisers|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Olympic Laurel]]: individuals who promote education, culture, development, and peace through sport<ref>{{Cite press release|title=Kip Keino to receive Olympic Laurel distinction|date=4 August 2016|publisher=International Olympic Committee|location=Lausanne|url=https://www.olympic.org/news/kip-keino-to-receive-olympic-laurel-distinction|quote=Kip Keino (KEN) is the first ever recipient of the Olympic Laurel, a distinction created by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to honour an outstanding individual for their achievements in education, culture, development and peace through sport..|access-date=8 August 2016|archive-date=25 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180825182928/https://www.olympic.org/news/kip-keino-to-receive-olympic-laurel-distinction|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Olympic town]] status: towns that have been particularly important for the Olympic Movement
*Coaches' Lifetime Achievement Awards

==Olympic marketing==

During the first half of the 20th century, the IOC ran on a small budget.<ref name="television">
{{cite web
 | title        = Issues of the Olympic Games
 | work         = Olympic Primer
 | publisher    = LA84 Foundation of Los Angeles
 | url          = http://www.la84foundation.org/6oic/primer_text2.htm
 | access-date  = 30 March 2009
 | url-status   = dead
 | archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20090425100112/http://www.la84foundation.org/6oic/primer_text2.htm
 | archive-date = 25 April 2009
}}
</ref>{{sfn|Buchanon|Mallon|2006|p=ci}} As IOC president from 1952 to 1972, [[Avery Brundage]] rejected all attempts to link the Olympics with commercial interests.{{sfn|Cooper-Chen|2005|p=231}} Brundage believed that corporate interests would unduly impact the IOC's decision-making.{{sfn|Cooper-Chen|2005|p=231}} Brundage's resistance to this revenue stream left IOC organising committees to negotiate their own sponsorship contracts and use the Olympic symbols.{{sfn|Cooper-Chen|2005|p=231}}

When Brundage retired, the IOC had US$2&nbsp;million in assets; eight years later coffers had swollen to US$45&nbsp;million.{{sfn|Cooper-Chen|2005|p=231}} This was primarily due to a shift in ideology toward expansion of the Games through corporate sponsorship and the sale of television rights.{{sfn|Cooper-Chen|2005|p=231}} When [[Juan Antonio Samaranch]] was elected IOC president in 1980, he desired to make the IOC financially independent.{{sfn|Buchanon|Mallon|2006|p=ci}} Samaranch appointed Canadian IOC member [[Dick Pound|Richard Pound]] to lead the initiative as Chairman of the "New Sources of Finance Commission".

In 1982, the IOC drafted [[International Sport and Leisure]], a Swiss sports marketing company, to develop a global marketing programme for the Olympic Movement. ISL developed the programme, but was replaced by Meridian Management, a company partly owned by the IOC in the early 1990s. In 1989, a staff member at ISL Marketing, [[Michael Payne (executive)|Michael Payne]], moved to the IOC and became the organisation's first marketing director. ISL and then Meridian continued in the established role as the IOC's sales and marketing agents until 2002.<ref name="Supremo">{{cite web | url = http://www.china.org.cn/olympics/news/2008-08/06/content_16143673.htm | title = IOC Marketing Supremo: Smile, Beijing | date = 6 August 2008 | access-date = 23 February 2011 | publisher = china.org.cn | archive-date = 19 February 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110219195935/http://china.org.cn/olympics/news/2008-08/06/content_16143673.htm | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2005/07/20050711/SBJ-In-Depth/How-The-IOC-Took-On-Nike-In-Atlanta.aspx | title = How the IOC took on Nike in Atlanta | date = 11 July 2005 | access-date = 23 February 2011 | publisher = [[Sports Business Journal]] | work = Sports Business Journal Daily | archive-date = 10 June 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160610175949/http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2005/07/20050711/SBJ-In-Depth/How-The-IOC-Took-On-Nike-In-Atlanta.aspx | url-status = live }}</ref> In collaboration with ISL Marketing and Meridian Management, Payne made major contributions to the creation of a multibillion-dollar sponsorship marketing programme for the organisation which, along with improvements in TV marketing and improved financial management, helped to restore the IOC's financial viability.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sportinglife.com/others/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=others/05/02/14/manual_103457.html |title=London Bid 'Has Improved' |newspaper=[[Sporting Life (British newspaper)|Sporting Life]] |access-date=23 February 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110515133431/http://www.sportinglife.com/others/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=others%2F05%2F02%2F14%2Fmanual_103457.html |archive-date=15 May 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/2005/0214/olympics.html |publisher=[[RTÉ Sport]] |date=14 February 2005 |access-date=23 February 2011 |title=Boost for London's Olympic Bid |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050921184651/http://www.rte.ie/sport/2005/0214/olympics.html |archive-date=21 September 2005 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Payne – London 2012 to tap fountain of youth | url = http://www.sportbusiness.com/print-edition/payne-london-2012-tap-fountain-youth | date = 22 October 2008 | access-date = 23 February 2011 | publisher = Sportbusiness.com | first = Struan | last = Campbell | archive-date = 7 January 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110107100915/http://www.sportbusiness.com/print-edition/payne-london-2012-tap-fountain-youth | url-status = live }}</ref>

===Revenue===
The Olympic Movement generates revenue through five major programmes.

*[[Commercial broadcasting|Broadcast]] partnerships, managed by the IOC.
*[[Sponsor (commercial)|Commercial sponsorship]], organised through the IOC's worldwide TOP programme.
*Domestic sponsorship, managed by the [[:Category:Organising Committees for the Olympic Games|Organising Committees for the Olympic Games]] (OCOGs).
*Ticketing.
*[[License|Licensing]] programmes within host countries.

The OCOGs have responsibility for domestic sponsorship, ticketing and licensing programmes, under the direction of the IOC. The Olympic Movement generated a total of more than US$4&nbsp;billion (€2.5&nbsp;billion) in revenue during the Olympic [[quadrennium]] from 2001 to 2004.

;Revenue distribution
The IOC distributes some of its revenue to organisations throughout the Olympic Movement to support the staging of the Olympic Games and to promote worldwide sport development. The IOC retains approximately 10% of the Olympic marketing revenue for operational and administrative costs.<ref name="IOC Funding">[https://olympics.com/ioc/funding Funding] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210808004250/https://olympics.com/ioc/funding |date=8 August 2021 }} – IOC. Retrieved on 7 August 2021</ref> For the 2013–2016 period, the IOC had revenues of about US$5.0 billion, of which 73% were from broadcasting rights and 18% were from Olympic Partners. The Rio 2016 organising committee received US$1.5 billion and the Sochi 2014 organising committee received US$833 million. National Olympic committees and international federations received US$739 million each.<ref name="IOC Funding" />

In July 2000, when the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' reported on how the IOC redistributes profits from sponsorships and [[broadcasting rights]], historian [[Bob Barney]] stated that he had "yet to see matters of corruption in the IOC", but noted there were "matters of unaccountability".<ref>{{cite news|title=IOC: A tangled web of wealth, mystery|last1=Abrahamson|first1=Alan|last2=Wharton|first2=David|date=30 July 2000|newspaper=[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]]|location=St. Louis, Missouri|page=24|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-ioc-2000/129932172/|access-date=3 September 2023|archive-date=27 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240727014641/https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-post-dispatch-ioc-2000/129932172/|url-status=live}}</ref> He later noted that when the spotlight is on the athletes, it has "the power to eclipse impressions of scandal or corruption", with respect to the Olympic bid process.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sun sets on Salt Lake City|date=25 February 2002|newspaper=[[Herald News (New Jersey)|Herald News]]|location=Passaic County, New Jersey|page=A1|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-herald-news-olympics-2002/129939234/|access-date=3 September 2023|archive-date=27 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240727014658/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-herald-news-olympics-2002/129939234/|url-status=live}}; {{cite news|title=Games (Continued From A1)|date=25 February 2002|newspaper=[[Herald News (New Jersey)|Herald News]]|location=Passaic County, New Jersey|page=A6|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-herald-news-olympics-2002/129939110/|access-date=3 September 2023|archive-date=15 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230815145332/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-herald-news-olympics-2002/129939110/|url-status=live}}</ref>
{{anchor|OCOG}}

===Organising Committees for the Olympic Games===
The IOC provides TOP programme contributions and broadcast revenue to the OCOGs to support the staging of the Olympic Games:
*TOP programme revenue: the two OCOGs of each Olympic quadrennium generally share approximately 50% of TOP programme revenue and value-in-kind contributions, with approximately 30% provided to the summer OCOG and 20% provided to the winter OCOG.
*Broadcast revenue: the IOC contributes 49% of the Olympic broadcast revenue for each Games to the OCOG. During the 2001–2004 Olympic quadrennium, the [[Salt Lake Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games of 2002|Salt Lake 2002 Organizing Committee]] received US$443&nbsp;million, €395 million in broadcast revenue from the IOC, and the Athens 2004 Organising Committee received US$732&nbsp;million, €690 million.
*Domestic programme revenue: the OCOGs generate substantial revenue from the domestic marketing programmes that they manage within the host country, including domestic sponsorship, ticketing, and licensing.

===National Olympic Committees===
{{further|National Olympic Committee}}
NOCs receive financial support for training and developing their Olympic teams, Olympic athletes, and Olympic hopefuls. The IOC distributes TOP programme revenue to each NOC. The IOC also contributes Olympic broadcast revenue to Olympic Solidarity, an IOC organisation that provides financial support to NOCs with the greatest need. The continued success of the TOP programme and Olympic broadcast agreements has enabled the IOC to provide increased support for the NOCs with each Olympic quadrennium. The IOC provided approximately US$318.5&nbsp;million to NOCs for the 2001–2004 quadrennium.

===International Olympic Sports Federations===
The IOC is the largest single revenue source for the majority of [[List of international sports federations|IOSFs]], with contributions that assist them in developing their respective sports. The IOC provides financial support to the 28 IOSFs of Olympic summer sports and the seven IOSFs of Olympic winter sports. The continually increasing value of Olympic broadcasts has enabled the IOC to substantially increase financial support to IOSFs with each successive Games. The seven winter sports IFs shared US$85.8&nbsp;million, €75 million in Salt Lake 2002 broadcast revenue.{{Citation needed|date=November 2023}}

===Other organisations===
The IOC contributes Olympic marketing revenue to the programmes of various recognised international sports organisations, including the [[International Paralympic Committee]] (IPC), and the [[World Anti-Doping Agency]] (WADA).

==Environmental concerns==
The IOC requires cities bidding to host the Olympics to provide a comprehensive strategy to protect the environment in preparation for hosting, and following the conclusion of the Games.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=IOC |date=2009 |title=Host City Contract |access-date=23 October 2016 |url=http://www.gamesmonitor.org.uk/files/Host%20City%20Contract.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110816001909/http://www.gamesmonitor.org.uk/files/Host%20City%20Contract.pdf |archive-date=16 August 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===IOC approaches===
The IOC has four major approaches to addressing environmental health concerns.

* IOC Sustainability and Legacy Commission focuses on how the IOC can improve the strategies and policies associated with environmental health throughout the process of hosting the Olympic Games.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://olympics.com/ioc/sustainability-and-legacy-commission|title=Sustainability And Legacy Commission|date=10 June 2021|website=International Olympic Committee|access-date=23 June 2021|archive-date=24 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624211615/https://olympics.com/ioc/sustainability-and-legacy-commission|url-status=live}}</ref> 
* Every candidate city must provide information on environmental health issues such as air quality and environmental impact assessments. 
* Every host city is given the option to declare "pledges" to address specific or general environmental health concerns. 
* Every host city must collaborate with the [[United Nations]] to work towards addressing environmental health objectives.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/R44575.pdf |title=The 2016 Olympic Games: Health, Security, Environmental, and Doping Issues |publisher=Congressional Research Service |date=8 August 2016 |access-date=16 August 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807192628/http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/R44575.pdf |archive-date=7 August 2016 }}</ref>

===Venue construction ===

==== Effects on air ====
Host cities have concerns about traffic congestion and air pollution, both of which can compromise air quality during and after venue construction.<ref name="Qiao Q 2011">Qiao Q, Zhang C, Huang B, Piper JDA. (2011). Evaluating the environmental quality impact of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games: magnetic monitoring of street dust in Beijing Olympic Park. Geophysical Journal International, Vol. 187; 1222.</ref> Various [[air quality]] improvement measures are undertaken before and after each event. Traffic control is the primary method to reduce concentrations of air pollutants, including barring heavy vehicles.

===== Beijing Olympics =====
Research at the [[2008 Summer Olympics]] identified particulate matter – measured in terms of [[Particulates|PM10]] (the amount of aerodynamic diameter of particle ≤ 10 μm in a given amount of air) – as a top priority.<ref>Chena DS, Chenga SY, Liub L, Chenc T, Guoa XR. (2007). An integrated MM5–CMAQ modelling approach for assessing transboundary PM10 contribution to the host city of the 2008 Olympic Summer Games—Beijing, China. Atmospheric environment. Vol. 41; 1237–1250.</ref><ref>Wang X et al. (2009). Evaluating the air quality impacts of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games: On-road emission factors and black carbon profiles. Atmospheric environment. Vol. 43; 4535–4543.</ref> Particulate matter, along with other airborne pollutants, cause both serious health problems, such as [[asthma]], and damage urban ecosystems. Black carbon is released into the air from incomplete combustion of carbonaceous fluids, contributing to climate change and injuring human health. Secondary pollutants such as [[Carbon monoxide|CO]], [[NOx]], [[Sulfur dioxide|SO2]], [[benzene]], [[toluene]], [[ethylbenzene]], and [[xylenes]] ([[BTEX]]) are also released during construction.<ref>Wang T et al. (2010). Air quality during the 2008 Beijing Olympics: secondary pollutants and regional impact. Atmos. Chem. Phys. Vol. 10; 7603–7615.</ref>

For the Beijing Olympics, vehicles not meeting the Euro 1 emission standards were banned, and the odd-even rule was implemented in the Beijing administrative area. Air quality improvement measures implemented by the Beijing government included replacing coal with natural gas, suspending construction, imposing strict dust control on construction sites, closing or relocating the polluting industrial plants, building long subway lines, using cleaner fluid in power plants, and reducing the activity by some of the polluting factories. There, levels of primary and secondary pollutants were reduced, and good air quality was recorded during the Beijing Olympics on most days.{{Citation needed|date=November 2023}} Beijing also sprayed [[silver iodide]] in the atmosphere to induce rain to remove existing pollutants from the air.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Coonan |first=Clifford |date=11 August 2008 |title=How Beijing used rockets to keep opening ceremony dry |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/how-beijing-used-rockets-to-keep-opening-ceremony-dry-890294.html |access-date=30 November 2023 |website=The Independent |language=en |archive-date=8 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208202930/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/how-beijing-used-rockets-to-keep-opening-ceremony-dry-890294.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Effects on soil ====
[[Soil contamination]] can occur during construction. The Sydney Olympic Games of 2000 resulted in improving a highly contaminated area known as Homebush Bay. A pre-Games study reported soil metal concentrations high enough to potentially contaminate groundwater. A remediation strategy was developed. Contaminated soil was consolidated into four containment areas within the site, which left the remaining areas available for recreational use. The site contained waste materials that then no longer posed a threat to surrounding aquifers.<ref>Suh J-Y, Birch G. F., Hughes K., Matthai C. (2004) Spatial distribution and source of heavy metals in reclaimed lands of Homebush Bay: the venue of the 2000 Olympic Games, Sydney, New South Wales. Australian Journal of Earth Sciences. Vol. 51: 53–66.</ref> In the 2006 Games in Torino, Italy, soil impacts were observed. Before the Games, researchers studied four areas that the Games would likely affect: a floodplain, a highway, the motorway connecting the city to Lyon, France, and a landfill. They analysed the chemicals in these areas before and after the Games. Their findings revealed an increase in the number of metals in the topsoil post-Games, and indicated that soil was capable of buffering the effects of many but not all heavy metals. Mercury, lead, and arsenic may have been transferred into the food chain.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Soil Heavy Metals Patterns in the Torino Olympic Winter Games Venue (E.U.)|journal=Soil and Sediment Contamination|year=2008|pages=205–220|volume=17|issue=3|doi=10.1080/15320380802006905|url=https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01577545/file/article.pdf|last1=Scalenghe|first1=Riccardo|last2=Fasciani|first2=Gabriella|bibcode=2008SSCIJ..17..205S |s2cid=94537225|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726014434/https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01577545/file/article.pdf|archive-date=26 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

One promise made to Londoners for the 2012 Olympic Games was that the Olympic Park would be a "blueprint for sustainable living." However, garden allotments were temporarily relocated due to the building of the Olympic stadium. The allotments were eventually returned. However, the [[soil quality]] was damaged. Further, allotment residents were exposed to radioactive waste for five months prior to moving, during the excavation of the site for the Games. Other local residents, construction workers, and onsite archaeologists faced similar exposures and risks.<ref>Sadd D. (2012). Not all Olympic 'events' are good for the health, just ask the previous occupants of the Manor Road. Allotments Perspectives in Public Health. Vol. 132; 2, 62–63.[SIC]</ref>

==== Effects on water ====
The Olympic Games can affect water quality in several ways, including runoff and the transfer of polluting substances from the air to water sources through rainfall. Harmful particulates come from natural substances (such as plant matter crushed by higher volumes of pedestrian and vehicle traffic) and man-made substances (such as exhaust from vehicles or industry). Contaminants from these two categories elevate amounts of toxins in street dust. Street dust reaches water sources through runoff, facilitating the transfer of toxins to environments and communities that rely on these water sources.<ref name="Qiao Q 2011" />

In 2013, researchers in Beijing found a significant relationship between the amount of PM2.5 concentrations in the air and in rainfall. Studies showed that rainfall had transferred a large portion of these pollutants from the air to water sources. Notably, this cleared the air of such particulates, substantially improving air quality at the venues.<ref>Ouyang W. 313.</ref>

==Reception and incidences==
{{Olympic Games infobox}}

===Amateurism and professionalism===
{{main|Olympic Games#Amateurism and professionalism}}

De Coubertin was influenced by the aristocratic ethos exemplified by [[Independent school (UK)|English public schools]].<ref name=OIdeology>{{cite book |last=Eassom |first=Simon |title=Critical Reflections on Olympic Ideology |year=1994 |location=Ontario |publisher=The Centre for Olympic Studies |pages=120–123 |isbn=0-7714-1697-0}}</ref> The public schools subscribed to the belief that sport formed an important part of education but that practicing or training was considered cheating.<ref name=OIdeology/> As class structure evolved through the 20th century, the definition of the amateur athlete as an aristocratic gentleman became outdated.<ref name=OIdeology/> The advent of the state-sponsored "full-time amateur athlete" of [[Eastern Bloc]] countries further eroded the notion of the pure amateur, as it put Western, self-financed amateurs at a disadvantage. The [[Soviet Union]] entered teams of athletes who were all nominally students, soldiers, or working in a profession, but many of whom were paid by the state to train on a full-time basis.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,976117-1,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090902183140/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,976117-1,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 September 2009|title=Traditions Pro Vs. Amateur|author=Benjamin, Daniel|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|access-date=18 March 2009|date=27 July 1992}}</ref> Nevertheless, the IOC held to the traditional rules regarding amateurism.<ref>{{cite web|last=Schantz |first=Otto |title=The Olympic Ideal and the Winter Games Attitudes Towards the Olympic Winter Games in Olympic Discourses—from Coubertin to Samaranch |publisher=Comité International Pierre De Coubertin |url=http://www.coubertin.ch/pdf/schantz.pdf|access-date=13 September 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130505052232/http://www.coubertin.ch/pdf/schantz.pdf |archive-date=5 May 2013 }}</ref>

Near the end of the 1960s, the [[Canadian Amateur Hockey Association]] (CAHA) felt their amateur players could no longer be competitive against the Soviet full-time athletes and other constantly improving European teams. They pushed for the ability to use players from professional leagues, but met opposition from the [[International Ice Hockey Federation|IIHF]] and IOC. At the IIHF Congress in 1969, the IIHF decided to allow Canada to use nine non-NHL professional hockey players<ref name="Num17">{{harvnb|Podnieks|Szemberg|2008}}, [http://www.iihf.com/iihf-home/the-iihf/100-year-anniversary/100-top-stories/story-17.html Story #17–Protesting amateur rules, Canada leaves international hockey] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010205021/http://www.iihf.com/iihf-home/the-iihf/100-year-anniversary/100-top-stories/story-17.html |date=10 October 2017 }}.</ref> at the 1970 World Championships in [[Montreal]] and [[Winnipeg]], Manitoba, Canada.<ref>{{harvnb|Podnieks|Szemberg|2008}}, [http://www.iihf.com/iihf-home/the-iihf/100-year-anniversary/100-top-stories/story-40.html Story #40–Finally, Canada to host the World Championship] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010210250/http://www.iihf.com/iihf-home/the-iihf/100-year-anniversary/100-top-stories/story-40.html |date=10 October 2017 }}.</ref> The decision was reversed in January 1970 after Brundage declared that the change would put ice hockey's status as an Olympic sport in jeopardy.<ref name="Num17" /> In response, Canada withdrew from international ice hockey competition and officials stated that they would not return until "open competition" was instituted.<ref name="Num17" /><ref>{{cite news|title=Summit Series '72 Summary |publisher=[[Hockey Hall of Fame]] |url=http://www.hhof.com/html/GamesSummarySUM1972.shtml |access-date=2 March 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080807130920/http://www.hhof.com/html/GamesSummarySUM1972.shtml |archive-date=7 August 2008 }}</ref>

Beginning in the 1970s, amateurism was gradually phased out of the Olympic Charter. After the 1988 Games, the IOC decided to make all professional athletes eligible for the Olympics, subject to the approval of the IFOSs.<ref name="Amateurism">{{cite news | title=Amateurism | date=12 July 1999 | work=USA Today | url=https://www.usatoday.com/olympics/owg98/osytr01.htm | access-date=9 February 2009 | archive-date=23 February 2002 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020223021004/http://www.usatoday.com/olympics/owg98/osytr01.htm | url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Bid controversies ===

==== 1976 Winter Olympics ====
{{main|Bids for the 1976 Winter Olympics}}

The Games were originally awarded to Denver on 12 May 1970, but a steep rise in costs led to [[Colorado]] voters' rejection on 7 November 1972, by 60% of the vote, of a $5&nbsp;million bond issue to finance the Games with public funds.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://denver.rockymountainnews.com/millennium/1012stone.shtml |title=Colorado only state ever to turn down Olympics |publisher=Denver.rockymountainnews.com |access-date=23 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090601181029/http://denver.rockymountainnews.com/millennium/1012stone.shtml |archive-date=1 June 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://deseretnews.com/oly/view/0,3949,40000046,00.html |title=The Games that got away – 2002 Winter Olympics coverage |publisher=Deseretnews.com |access-date=23 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100901194251/http://www.deseretnews.com/oly/view/0%2C3949%2C40000046%2C00.html |archive-date=1 September 2010}}</ref>

Denver officially withdrew on 15 November: the IOC then offered the Games to [[Whistler, British Columbia]], Canada, but they too declined due to a [[1972 British Columbia general election|change of government]] following  elections.

[[Salt Lake City]], Utah, a [[1972 Winter Olympics]] final candidate (who eventually hosted the [[2002 Winter Olympics]]) offered itself as a potential host after Denver's withdrawal, but the IOC declined Salt Lake City's offer. On 5 February 1973, the IOC invited [[Innsbruck]], the city that had hosted the Games [[1964 Winter Olympics|twelve years earlier]].

====1998 Winter Olympics====
Eight years after the [[1998 Winter Olympics]], a report ordered by the [[Nagano Prefecture|Nagano]] region's governor said the Japanese city provided millions of dollars in an "illegitimate and excessive level of hospitality" to IOC members, including US$4.4&nbsp;million spent on entertainment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mdn.mainic)hi-msn.co.jp/sports/news/20060114p2a00m0sp003000c.html |title=Mainichi Daily News ends its partnership with MSN, takes on new Web address |publisher=Mdn.mainichi-msn.co.jp |access-date=8 May 2012 }}{{dead link|date=May 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Earlier reports put the figure at approximately US$14 million. The precise figures are unknown: after the IOC asked that the entertainment expenditures not be made public Nagano destroyed its financial records.<ref>{{Citation
 | last1 =Jordan
 | first1 =Mary
 | last2 =Sullivan
 | first2 =Kevin
 | title =Nagano Burned Documents Tracing '98 Olympics Bid
 | newspaper =The Washington Post
 | pages =A1
 | date =21 January 1999
 | url =https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/digest/daily/jan99/nagano21.htm
 | access-date =20 August 2016
 | archive-date =25 June 2022
 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20220625050232/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/digest/daily/jan99/nagano21.htm
 | url-status =live
 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news
 | last =Macintyre
 | first =Donald
 | title =Japan's Sullied Bid
 | newspaper =Time Magazine
 | date =1 February 1999
 | url =http://content.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2053970,00.html
 | access-date =20 August 2016
 | archive-date =26 June 2022
 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20220626173316/http://content.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2053970,00.html
 | url-status =live
 }}</ref>

==== 2002 Winter Olympics ====
{{main|2002 Winter Olympic bid scandal}}

A scandal broke on 10 December 1998, when [[Switzerland|Swiss]] IOC member [[Marc Hodler]], head of the coordination committee overseeing the organisation of the 2002 Games, announced that several members of the IOC had received gifts from members of the Salt Lake City 2002 bid Committee in exchange for votes. Soon four independent investigations were underway: by the IOC, the [[United States Olympic Committee]] (USOC), the [[Salt Lake Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games of 2002|SLOC]], and the [[United States Department of Justice]]. Before any of the investigations could get under way, SLOC co-heads Tom Welch and David Johnson both resigned their posts. Many others soon followed. The Department of Justice filed fifteen counts of bribery and fraud against the pair.

As a result of the investigation, ten IOC members were expelled and another ten were sanctioned.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/oly/view/0,3949,35000108,00.html |title=Samaranch reflects on bid scandal with regret |work=2002 Winter Olympics coverage |publisher=Deseret News Archives |date=19 May 2001 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020226194341/http://deseretnews.com/oly/view/0%2C3949%2C35000108%2C00.html |archive-date=26 February 2002}}</ref> Stricter rules were adopted for future bids, and caps were put into place as to how much IOC members could accept from bid cities. Additionally, new term and age limits were put into place for IOC membership, an Athlete's Commission was created and fifteen former Olympic athletes gained provisional membership status.

==== 2008 Summer Olympics ====
In 2000, international human rights groups attempted to pressure the IOC to reject Beijing's bid to protest [[human rights in the People's Republic of China]]. One Chinese dissident was sentenced to two years in prison during an IOC tour.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bodeen |first=Christopher |date=25 February 2001 |title=Beijing opens itself up to Olympic inspectors |work=Chicago Sun-Times |url=http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20010225/ai_n13899744 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071115053613/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20010225/ai_n13899744 |archive-date=15 November 2007}}</ref> After the city won the [[2008 Summer Olympic Games]], [[Amnesty International]] and others expressed concerns regarding the human rights situation. The second principle in the Fundamental Principles of [[Olympism]], [[Olympic Charter]] states that ''"The goal of Olympism is to place sport at the service of the harmonious development of man, with a view to promoting a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity."''<ref>{{cite web |title=Olympic Charter, in force as from 1 September 2004 |url=http://multimedia.olympic.org/pdf/en_report_122.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727143137/http://multimedia.olympic.org/pdf/en_report_122.pdf |archive-date=27 July 2011 |publisher=International Olympic Committee}}</ref> Amnesty International considered PRC policies and practices as violating that principle.<ref>{{cite web |date=21 September 2006 |title=People's Republic of China: The Olympics countdown – failing to keep human rights promises |url=http://web.amnesty.org/library/index/engASA170462006?open&of=eng-CHN |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070318023546/http://web.amnesty.org/library/index/engASA170462006?open&of=eng-CHN |archive-date=18 March 2007 |website=Amnesty International}}</ref>

Some days before the Opening Ceremonies, in August 2008, the IOC issued [[DMCA]] take down notices on [[2008 Tibetan unrest|Tibetan Protests videos]] on YouTube.<ref>IOC backs off DMCA take-down for Tibet protest {{cite web |title=Video: IOC backs off DMCA take-down for Tibet protest &#124; the Industry Standard |url=http://www.thestandard.com/news/2008/08/14/video-ioc-backs-dmca-take-down-tibet-protest |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080818013947/http://www.thestandard.com/news/2008/08/14/video-ioc-backs-dmca-take-down-tibet-protest |archive-date=18 August 2008 |access-date=15 August 2008}}</ref> [[YouTube]] and the [[Electronic Frontier Foundation]] (EFF) pushed back against the IOC, which then withdrew their complaint.

====2016 and 2020 Summer Olympics====
On 1 March 2016, Owen Gibson of ''[[The Guardian]]'' reported that French financial prosecutors investigating corruption in world athletics had expanded their remit to include the bidding and voting processes for the [[2016 Summer Olympics]] and [[2020 Summer Olympics]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gibson |first=Exclusive by Owen |date=1 March 2016 |title=French police widen corruption investigation to 2016 and 2020 Olympic bids |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/mar/01/french-police-corruption-investigation-2016-2020-olympic-bids |access-date=11 February 2019 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=12 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212070650/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/mar/01/french-police-corruption-investigation-2016-2020-olympic-bids |url-status=live }}</ref> The story followed an earlier report in January by Gibson, who revealed that Papa Massata Diack, the son of then-[[International Association of Athletics Federations|IAAF]] president [[Lamine Diack]], appeared to arrange for "parcels" to be delivered to six IOC members in 2008 when [[Qatar]] was bidding for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, though it failed to make it beyond the shortlist. Weeks later, Qatari authorities denied the allegations.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gibson |first=Owen |date=11 January 2016 |title=Disgraced athletics chief's son 'arranged parcels' for senior IOC members |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/jan/11/papa-massata-diack-arranged-parcels-for-senior-ioc-members |access-date=11 February 2019 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=12 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212130726/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/jan/11/papa-massata-diack-arranged-parcels-for-senior-ioc-members |url-status=live }}</ref> Gibson then reported that a €1.3m (£1m, $1.5m) payment from the Tokyo Olympic Committee team to an account linked to Papa Diack was made during Japan's successful race to host the 2020 Summer Games.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gibson |first=Exclusive by Owen |date=11 May 2016 |title=Tokyo Olympics: €1.3m payment to secret account raises questions over 2020 Games |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/may/11/tokyo-olympics-payment-diack-2020-games |access-date=11 February 2019 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=12 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212130813/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/may/11/tokyo-olympics-payment-diack-2020-games |url-status=live }}</ref> The following day, French prosecutors confirmed they were investigating allegations of "corruption and money laundering" of more than $2m in suspicious payments made by the Tokyo 2020 Olympic bid committee to a secret bank account linked to Diack.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gibson |first=Owen |date=12 May 2016 |title=French financial prosecutors confirm investigation into Tokyo 2020 bid |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/may/12/french-financial-prosecutors-confirm-investigation-into-tokyo-2020-bid-olympics-black-tidings |access-date=11 February 2019 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=12 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212130751/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/may/12/french-financial-prosecutors-confirm-investigation-into-tokyo-2020-bid-olympics-black-tidings |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Tsunekazu Takeda]] of the Tokyo 2020 bid committee responded on 17 May 2016, denying allegations of wrongdoing, and refused to reveal transfer details.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gibson |first=Owen |date=17 May 2016 |title=Tokyo 2020 Olympic bid leader refuses to reveal Black Tidings details |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/may/17/tokyo-2020-olympic-bid-leader-refuses-reveal-black-tidings-details-tsunekazu-takeda |access-date=11 February 2019 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=4 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604044643/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/may/17/tokyo-2020-olympic-bid-leader-refuses-reveal-black-tidings-details-tsunekazu-takeda |url-status=live }}</ref> The controversy was reignited on 11 January 2019 after it emerged Takeda had been indicted on [[corruption]] charges in France over his role in the bid process.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Panja |first1=Tariq |last2=Tabuchi |first2=Hiroko |author-link=Hiroko Tabuchi |date=11 January 2019 |title=Japan's Olympics Chief Faces Corruption Charges in France |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/11/world/europe/japan-olympics-corruption-tsunekazu-takeda.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=11 February 2019 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220103/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/11/world/europe/japan-olympics-corruption-tsunekazu-takeda.html |archive-date=3 January 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

==== 2022 Winter Olympics ====
{{main|Bids for the 2022 Winter Olympics}}

In 2014, at the final stages of the bid process for 2022, [[Oslo]], seen as the favourite, surprised with a withdrawal. Following a string of local controversies over the masterplan, local officials were outraged by IOC demands on athletes and the Olympic family. These demands allegedly included lavish treatment of stakeholders, notably through the creation of separate lanes to "on all roads where IOC members [would] travel, which [were] not to be used by regular people or public transportation", and exclusive cars and drivers for IOC members. The differential treatment irritated Norwegians.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mathis-Lilley |first=Ben |date=2 October 2014 |title=The IOC Demands That Helped Push Norway Out of Winter Olympic Bidding Are Hilarious |url=https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2014/10/ioc-demands-oslo-drops-bid-after-over-the-top-list-of-requirements.html |access-date=28 May 2022 |website=Slate Magazine |language=en |archive-date=20 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520065419/https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2014/10/ioc-demands-oslo-drops-bid-after-over-the-top-list-of-requirements.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=IOC demands smiles, ridiculous perks ahead of 2022 Olympic bid |url=https://www.cbssports.com/general/news/ioc-demands-smiles-ridiculous-perks-ahead-of-2022-olympic-bid/ |access-date=28 May 2022 |website=CBSSports.com |date=October 2014 |language=en |archive-date=28 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528005246/https://www.cbssports.com/general/news/ioc-demands-smiles-ridiculous-perks-ahead-of-2022-olympic-bid/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Financial Times-2014">{{Cite news |date=2 October 2014 |title=IOC hits out as Norway withdraws Winter Olympic bid |work=Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/d8938ffc-4a04-11e4-8de3-00144feab7de |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/d8938ffc-4a04-11e4-8de3-00144feab7de |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |access-date=28 May 2022}}</ref> The IOC demanded "control over all advertising space throughout Oslo and the subsites during the Games, to be used exclusively by official sponsors."<ref name="Financial Times-2014" />

Human rights groups and governments criticised the committee for allowing [[Beijing]] to bid for the [[2022 Winter Olympics]]. Some weeks before the Opening Ceremonies, the [[Xinjiang papers|Xinjiang Papers]] were released, documenting [[Persecution of Uyghurs in China|abuses]] by the Chinese government against the [[Uyghurs|Uyghur]] population in [[Xinjiang]], documenting what many governments described as genocide.

Many government officials, notably those in the [[United States]] and the [[Great Britain]], called for a boycott of the 2022 Winter Games. The IOC responded to concerns by saying that the Olympic Games must not be politicised.<ref>{{cite news |date=12 March 2021 |title=IOC is no 'super world government' to solve China issues, says Bach |website=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-olympics-ioc-china/ioc-is-no-super-world-government-to-solve-china-issues-says-bach-idUSKBN2B42LQ |url-status=live |access-date=10 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010200417/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-olympics-ioc-china/ioc-is-no-super-world-government-to-solve-china-issues-says-bach-idUSKBN2B42LQ |archive-date=10 October 2021}}</ref> Some nations diplomatically boycotted games, which prohibited a diplomatic delegation from representing a nation at the games, rather than a full boycott that would have barred athletes from competing. In September 2021, the IOC suspended the [[Olympic Committee of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea]], after they boycotted the 2020 Summer Olympics claiming "COVID-19 Concerns".

On 8 September 2021, after the IOC suspended the [[Olympic Committee of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea|North Korean NOC]] for not being present at the [[2020 Summer Olympics]], there was speculation about whether the IOC was also intending to send a message to nations considering a boycott of the games that they could be banned from participation in future Olympic Games if they chose to boycott this edition.<ref>{{cite web|last=Saric|first=Ivana|title=North Korea suspended from 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics|url=https://www.axios.com/ioc-suspend-north-korea-2022-olympics-6c170c50-2812-4942-8d64-c9fe3b9993a9.html|date=8 September 2021|access-date=9 September 2021|website=Axios|language=en|archive-date=9 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210909191101/https://www.axios.com/ioc-suspend-north-korea-2022-olympics-6c170c50-2812-4942-8d64-c9fe3b9993a9.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="USA Today">{{cite news|last1=Armour|first1=Nancy|title=North Korea barred from Beijing Olympics because of its decision to skip Tokyo Games|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/beijing/2021/09/08/north-korea-banned-from-2022-winter-olympic-games/5773324001/|access-date=8 September 2021|work=USA Today|date=8 September 2021|archive-date=9 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210909000641/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/beijing/2021/09/08/north-korea-banned-from-2022-winter-olympic-games/5773324001/|url-status=live}}</ref> On 14 October 2021, vice-president of the IOC, [[John Coates (sports administrator)|John Coates]], announced that the IOC had no plans to challenge the Chinese government on humanitarian issues, stating that the issues were "not within the IOC's remit".<ref>{{Cite news |date=13 October 2021 |title=IOC's Coates rules out pressuring China over human rights |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/iocs-coates-rules-out-pressuring-china-over-human-rights-2021-10-13/ |url-status=live |access-date=15 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211013044343/https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/iocs-coates-rules-out-pressuring-china-over-human-rights-2021-10-13/ |archive-date=13 October 2021}}</ref>

=== Sex verification controversies ===

During March 2026, the International Olympic Committee announced a new policy protecting women's category, ensuring only athletes classified as biological females can compete in it, using genetic sex screening to determine eligibility. The new policy aims to create a consistent rule across all Olympic sports and prioritize fairness and safety during competition, while allowing athletes who do not meet the criteria to compete in male or open categories.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2026 |title=Transgender athletes barred from female category events |url=https://www.reuters.com/sports/only-biological-females-determined-by-gene-screening-will-be-allowed-olympic-2026-03-26/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2026 |title=International Olympic Committee announces new Policy on the Protection of the Female (Women’s) Category in Olympic Sport |url=https://www.olympics.com/ioc/news/international-olympic-committee-announces-new-policy-on-the-protection-of-the-female-women-s-category-in-olympic-sport}}</ref>  

Verifying the sex of Olympic participants dates back to [[ancient Greece]], when [[Kallipateira]] attempted to break Greek law by dressing as a man to enter the arena as a trainer. After she was discovered, a policy was erected wherein trainers, just as athletes, were made to appear naked in order to better assure all were male.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Rupert|first=James L.|date=2011|title=Genitals to genes: the history and biology of gender verification in the Olympics|url=|journal=Canadian Bulletin of Medical History|volume=28|issue=2|pages=339–365|doi=10.3138/cbmh.28.2.339|pmid=22164600|via=GALE ONEFILE|doi-access=free}}</ref>

Into the late 2010s, sex verification has taken many forms<ref name="Krieger-2019">{{Cite journal|last1=Krieger|first1=Jörg|last2=Parks Pieper|first2=Lindsay|last3=Ritchie|first3=Ian|date=2019|title=Sex, drugs and science: the IOC's and IAAF's attempts to control fairness in sport|url=https://pure.au.dk/portal/da/publications/sex-drugs-and-science-the-iocs-and-iaafs-attempts-to-control-fairness-in-sport(e0853d7a-89ec-4287-ba36-48c2749f0b9e).html|journal=Sport in Society|volume=22|issue=9|pages=1555–1573|doi=10.1080/17430437.2018.1435004|s2cid=148683831|via=Taylor & Francis Online|access-date=5 April 2024|archive-date=27 July 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240727014644/https://pure.au.dk/portal/da/publications/sex-drugs-and-science-the-iocs-and-iaafs-attempts-to-control-fair|url-status=live}}</ref> and been subject to dispute.<ref name="Parks Pieper-2018">{{Cite news|last=Parks Pieper|first=Lindsay|date=2018|title=First, they qualified for the Olympics. Then they had to prove their sex|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=|access-date=}}</ref> Before sex testing, Olympic officials relied on "nude parades"<ref name="Pape-2019">{{Cite journal|last=Pape|first=Madeleine|date=2019|title=Expertise and Non-Binary Bodies: Sex, Gender and the Case of Dutee Chand.|url=|journal=Body & Society|volume=25|issue=4|pages=3–28|doi=10.1177/1357034X19865940|s2cid=201403008|via=SAGE journals}}</ref> and doctor's notes.<ref name="Parks Pieper-2018" /> Successful [[Women's sports|women athletes]] perceived to be [[Masculinity|masculine]] were most likely to be inspected.<ref name="Parks Pieper-2018" /> In 1966, IOC implemented a compulsory sex verification process that took effect at the [[1968 Winter Olympics]] where a lottery system was used to determine who would be inspected with a [[Barr body]] test.<ref name="Pape-2019" /><ref name="Parks Pieper-2018" /> The scientific community found fault with this policy. The use of the Barr body test was evaluated by fifteen geneticists who unanimously agreed it was scientifically invalid.<ref name="Krieger-2019" /> By the 1970s this method was replaced with [[Polymerase chain reaction|PCR testing]], as well as evaluating factors such as brain anatomy and behaviour.<ref name="Pastor-2019">{{Cite journal|last=Pastor|first=Aaren|date=2019|title=Unwarranted and Invasive Scrutiny: Caster Semenya, Sex-Gender Testing and the Production of Woman In 'Women's' Track and Field.|url=|journal=Feminist Review|volume=122|issue=1 |pages=1–15|doi=10.1177/0141778919849688|s2cid=204379565|via=SAGE Journals}}</ref> Following continued backlash against mandatory sex testing, the [[IOC Athletes' Commission|IOC's Athletes' Commission]]'s opposition ended of the practice in 1999.<ref name="Krieger-2019" />

Although sex testing was no longer mandated, women who did not present as [[Femininity|feminine]] continued to be inspected based on suspicion. This started at [[2000 Summer Olympics]] and  remained in use until the [[2010 Winter Olympics]].<ref name="Krieger-2019" /> By 2011 the IOC created a [[Hyperandrogenism]] Regulation, which aimed to standardise natural [[testosterone]] levels in women athletes.<ref name="Pape-2019" /> This transition in sex testing was to assure fairness within female events. This was due to the belief that higher testosterone levels increased athletic ability and gave unfair advantages to [[intersex]] and [[Transgender people in sports|transgender competitors]].<ref name="Pastor-2019" /><ref name="Pape-2019" /> Any female athlete flagged for suspicion and whose testosterone surpassed regulation levels was prohibited from competing until medical treatment brought their hormone levels within standard levels.<ref name="Pastor-2019" /><ref name="Pape-2019" /> It has been argued by press,<ref name="Burnett-2019">{{Cite journal|last=Burnett|first=Cora|date=2019|title=South African Newspapers' Constructions of the Caster Semenya Saga through Political Cartoons|url=|journal=South African Review of Sociology|volume=50|issue=2|pages=62–84|doi=10.1080/21528586.2019.1699440|s2cid=213623805|via=Taylor & Francis Online}}</ref> scholars,<ref name="Mahomed-2019">{{Cite journal|last1=Mahomed|first1=S|last2=Dhai|first2=A|date=2019|title=The Caster Semenya ordeal – prejudice, discrimination and racial bias|url=|journal=South African Medical Journal|volume=109|issue=8|pages=548–551|doi=10.7196/SAMJ.2019.v109i8.14152|doi-broken-date=1 July 2025|pmid=31456545|s2cid=201175909|via=SciELO South Africa|doi-access=free}}</ref> and politicians<ref name="Pastor-2019" /> that some ethnicities are disproportionately impacted by this regulation and that the rule excludes too many.<ref name="Pastor-2019" /><ref name="Burnett-2019" /><ref name="Mahomed-2019" />

The most notable cases of bans testing results are: [[Maria José Martínez-Patiño]] (1985),<ref name="Parks Pieper-2014">{{Cite journal|last=Parks Pieper|first=Lindsay|date=2014|title=Sex Testing and the Maintenance of Western Femininity in International Sport|url=|journal=International Journal of the History of Sport|volume=31|issue=13|pages=1557–1576|doi=10.1080/09523367.2014.927184|s2cid=144448974|via=Taylor & Francis Online}}</ref> [[Santhi Soundarajan]] (2006),<ref name="Parks Pieper-2014" /> [[Caster Semenya]] (2009),<ref name="Pastor-2019" /> [[Annet Negesa]] (2012),<ref name="Bruce-2020">{{Cite news|last=Bruce|first=Kidd|date=2020|title=The IOC must rule out sex testing at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics|work=Globe & Mail|url=|access-date=}}</ref> and [[Dutee Chand]] (2014).<ref name="Pape-2019" />

Before the [[2014 Asian Games]], Indian athlete [[Dutee Chand]] was banned from competing internationally having been found to be in violation of the Hyperandrogenism Regulation.<ref name="Pape-2019" /> Following the denial of her appeal by the [[Court of Arbitration for Sport]], the IOC suspended the policy for the [[2016 Summer Olympics]] and [[2018 Winter Olympics]].<ref name="Pape-2019" />

=== London 2012 and the Munich massacre ===
Before the start of the [[2012 Summer Olympic Games]], the IOC decided not to hold a [[minute of silence]] to honour the 11 Israeli Olympians who were killed 40 years prior in the [[Munich massacre]]. [[Jacques Rogge]], the then-IOC President, said it would be "inappropriate" to do so. Speaking of the decision, Israeli Olympian [[Shaul Ladany]], who had survived the Munich Massacre, commented: "I do not understand. I do not understand, and I do not accept it".<ref name=nosilence>{{cite news |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2012/07/27/sport/olympics-2012-munich-shaul-ladany-survivor |author=James Montague |title=The Munich massacre: A survivor's story |publisher=CNN |date=5 September 2012 |access-date=25 February 2013 |archive-date=21 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180621070233/https://edition.cnn.com/2012/07/27/sport/olympics-2012-munich-shaul-ladany-survivor |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Wrestling ===
In February 2013, the IOC excluded [[wrestling]] from its core [[Olympic sports]] for the Summer Olympic programme for the [[2020 Summer Olympics]], because the sport did not offer equal opportunities for men and women. This decision was attacked by the sporting community, given the wrestling's long tradition at the Olympics.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/olympics/wrestling/story/_/id/8939185/ioc-drops-wrestling-2020-olympics |title=Wrestling dropped from 2020 Games |publisher=Espn.go.com |date=14 February 2013 |access-date=3 December 2013 |archive-date=2 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202225619/http://espn.go.com/olympics/wrestling/story/_/id/8939185/ioc-drops-wrestling-2020-olympics |url-status=live }}</ref> After reassessment, however, wrestling was placed among the core Olympic sports again, a status it will hold until at least 2032.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espn.co.uk/olympic-sports/sport/story/236327.html |title=Wrestling reinstated for Tokyo 2020 &#124; Olympics News |publisher=ESPN.co.uk |date=8 September 2013 |access-date=3 December 2013 |archive-date=19 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140919212901/http://www.espn.co.uk/olympic-sports/sport/story/236327.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Russian doping ===
{{See also|Doping in Russia|Russia at the 2016 Summer Olympics|McLaren Report|Independent Olympians at the Olympic Games|Olympic Athletes from Russia at the 2018 Winter Olympics}}
Media attention began growing in December 2014 when German broadcaster [[ARD (broadcaster)|ARD]] reported on state-sponsored doping in Russia, comparing it to [[doping in East Germany]]. In November 2015, the [[World Anti-Doping Agency]] (WADA) published a report and the [[World Athletics]] (then known as the IAAF) suspended Russia indefinitely from world track and field events. The United Kingdom Anti-Doping agency later assisted WADA with testing in Russia. In June 2016, they reported that they were unable to fully carry out their work and noted intimidation by armed [[Federal Security Service]] (FSB) agents.<ref>{{cite news|title=Update on the status of Russia testing|url=https://www.wada-ama.org/sites/default/files/resources/files/2016.06.15_russia_testing_update_final.pdf|publisher=[[World Anti-Doping Agency|WADA]]|date=June 2016|access-date=11 November 2017|archive-date=25 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170125070639/https://www.wada-ama.org/sites/default/files/resources/files/2016.06.15_russia_testing_update_final.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
After a Russian former lab director made allegations about the [[2014 Winter Olympics]] in [[Sochi]], WADA commissioned an independent investigation led by [[Richard McLaren (academic)|Richard McLaren]]. McLaren's investigation found corroborating evidence, concluding in a report published in July 2016 that the [[Ministry of Sport (Russia)|Ministry of Sport]] and the FSB had operated a "state-directed failsafe system" using a "disappearing positive [test] methodology" (DPM) from "at least late 2011 to August 2015".<ref>{{cite news|title=McLaren Independent Investigations Report into Sochi Allegations|url=https://www.wada-ama.org/en/resources/doping-control-process/mclaren-independent-investigation-report-part-i|publisher=[[World Anti-Doping Agency|WADA]]|date=18 July 2016|access-date=11 November 2017|archive-date=6 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206011130/https://www.wada-ama.org/en/resources/doping-control-process/mclaren-independent-investigation-report-part-i|url-status=live}}</ref>

In response to these findings, WADA announced that RUSADA should be regarded as non-compliant with respect to the World Anti-Doping Code and recommended that Russia be banned from competing at the [[2016 Summer Olympics]].<ref>{{cite news|title=WADA Statement: Independent Investigation confirms Russian State manipulation of the doping control process|url=https://www.wada-ama.org/en/media/news/2016-07/wada-statement-independent-investigation-confirms-russian-state-manipulation-of|publisher=[[World Anti-Doping Agency|WADA]]|date=18 July 2016|access-date=11 November 2017|archive-date=3 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171203122912/https://www.wada-ama.org/en/media/news/2016-07/wada-statement-independent-investigation-confirms-russian-state-manipulation-of|url-status=live}}</ref> The IOC rejected the recommendation, stating that a separate decision would be made for each athlete by the relevant [[international federation|IF]] and the IOC, based on the athlete's individual circumstances.<ref name= "IOCdecision">{{cite web|url=https://www.olympic.org/news/decision-of-the-ioc-executive-board-concerning-the-participation-of-russian-athletes-in-the-olympic-games-rio-2016|title=Decision of the IOC Executive Board concerning the participation of Russian athletes in the Olympic Games Rio 2016|date=24 July 2016|publisher=IOC|access-date=24 July 2016|archive-date=30 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171230024157/https://www.olympic.org/news/decision-of-the-ioc-executive-board-concerning-the-participation-of-russian-athletes-in-the-olympic-games-rio-2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="SD Trib-2016">{{Cite web|url= http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2016/jul/30/ioc-sets-up-3-person-panel-to-rule-on-russian/ |title= IOC sets up 3-person panel to rule on Russian entries | newspaper = San Diego Tribune |date= 30 July 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160731040000/http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2016/jul/30/ioc-sets-up-3-person-panel-to-rule-on-russian/ |archive-date=31 July 2016 |access-date=31 July 2016}}</ref> One day prior to the opening ceremony, 270 athletes were cleared to compete under the Russian flag, while 167 were removed because of doping.<ref name="BBC-2016">{{Cite news|url= https://www.bbc.com/sport/olympics/36970627|title= Rio 2016: 270 Russians cleared to compete at Olympic Games |work= BBC Sport |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160804174234/http://www.bbc.com/sport/olympics/36970627 |archive-date=4 August 2016 |access-date=4 August 2016}}</ref> In contrast, the entire Kuwaiti team was banned from competing under their own flag (for a non-doping related matter).<ref>{{cite news|title=Exclusive: Pound confident Russian athletes will be found guilty of Sochi 2014 doping despite IOC inaction|url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1051180/exclusive-pound-confident-russian-athletes-will-be-found-guilty-of-sochi-2014-doping-despite-ioc-inaction|publisher=insidethegames.biz|date=5 June 2017|access-date=11 November 2017|archive-date=17 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170917033047/https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1051180/exclusive-pound-confident-russian-athletes-will-be-found-guilty-of-sochi-2014-doping-despite-ioc-inaction|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Doping pressure mounts on IOC at German parliament|url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1051180/exclusive-pound-confident-russian-athletes-will-be-found-guilty-of-sochi-2014-doping-despite-ioc-inaction|publisher=dw.com|date=27 April 2017|access-date=11 November 2017|archive-date=17 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170917033047/https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1051180/exclusive-pound-confident-russian-athletes-will-be-found-guilty-of-sochi-2014-doping-despite-ioc-inaction|url-status=live}}</ref>

In contrast to the IOC, the [[International Paralympic Committee|IPC]] voted unanimously to ban the entire Russian team from the [[2016 Summer Paralympics]], having found evidence that the DPM was also in operation at the [[2014 Winter Paralympics]].<ref>{{cite news|title=The IPC suspends the Russian Paralympic Committee with immediate effect|url=https://www.paralympic.org/news/ipc-suspends-russian-paralympic-committee-immediate-effect|publisher=ESPN|date=15 March 2017|access-date=7 August 2016|archive-date=7 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171207035019/https://www.paralympic.org/news/ipc-suspends-russian-paralympic-committee-immediate-effect|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 5 December 2017, the IOC announced that the [[Russian Olympic Committee]] had been suspended effective immediately from the 2018 Winter Olympics. Athletes who had no previous drug violations and a consistent history of drug testing were allowed to compete under the [[Olympic Flag]] as an "Olympic Athlete from Russia" (OAR).<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ruiz |first1=Rebecca C. |last2=Panja |first2=Tariq |date=5 December 2017 |title=Russia Banned From Winter Olympics by I.O.C. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/05/sports/olympics/ioc-russia-winter-olympics.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=5 December 2017 |archive-date=17 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171217124133/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/05/sports/olympics/ioc-russia-winter-olympics.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Under the terms of the decree, Russian government officials were barred from the Games, and neither the country's flag nor anthem would be present. The Olympic Flag and [[Olympic Anthem]] would be used instead,<ref name="IOC-2017">{{cite press release|title=IOC suspends Russian NOC and creates a path for clean individual athletes to compete in Pyeongchang 2018 under the Olympic Flag|date=5 December 2017|publisher=International Olympic Committee|url=https://www.olympic.org/news/ioc-suspends-russian-noc-and-creates-a-path-for-clean-individual-athletes-to-compete-in-pyeongchang-2018-under-the-olympic-flag|access-date=5 December 2017|archive-date=24 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424131325/https://www.olympic.org/news/ioc-suspends-russian-noc-and-creates-a-path-for-clean-individual-athletes-to-compete-in-pyeongchang-2018-under-the-olympic-flag|url-status=live}}</ref> and on 20 December 2017 the IOC proposed an alternate uniform logo.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.olympic.org/news/ioc-s-olympic-athlete-from-russia-implementation-group-releases-guidelines-for-uniforms-accessories-and-equipment|title=IOC's OAR implementation group releases guidelines for uniforms accessories and equipment's|date=20 December 2017|work=olympic.org|access-date=5 February 2018|archive-date=23 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323222145/https://www.olympic.org/news/ioc-s-olympic-athlete-from-russia-implementation-group-releases-guidelines-for-uniforms-accessories-and-equipment|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 1 February 2018, the [[Court of Arbitration for Sport]] (CAS) found that the IOC provided insufficient evidence for 28 athletes, and overturned their IOC sanctions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://inews.co.uk/sport/olympics/twenty-eight-russians-lifetime-bans-olympics-doping-overturned/|title=Winter Olympics: Twenty-eight Russians have lifetime doping bans overturned|last=Lowell|first=Hugo|date=1 February 2018|website=inews.co.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=10 February 2019|archive-date=12 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212070509/https://inews.co.uk/sport/olympics/twenty-eight-russians-lifetime-bans-olympics-doping-overturned/|url-status=live}}</ref> For 11 other athletes, the CAS decided that there was sufficient evidence to uphold their Sochi sanctions, but reduced their lifetime bans to only the 2018 Winter Olympics.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2018/02/04/icass-coates-responds-to-bach-over-ioc-concerns/110114676/|title=ICAS's Coates responds to Bach over IOC concerns|date=4 February 2018|agency=Associated Press|publisher=USA Today|access-date=22 December 2018|archive-date=3 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003142825/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2018/02/04/icass-coates-responds-to-bach-over-ioc-concerns/110114676/|url-status=live}}</ref> The IOC said in a statement that "the result of the CAS decision does not mean that athletes from the group of 28 will be invited to the Games. Not being sanctioned does not automatically confer the privilege of an invitation" and that "this [case] may have a serious impact on the future fight against doping". The IOC found it important to note that the CAS Secretary General "insisted that the CAS decision does not mean that these 28 athletes are innocent" and that they would consider an appeal against the court's decision.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/athletics/russia-doping-scandal-overturned-bans-wada-athletes-cause-dismay-frustration-a8190811.html|title=Wada: Clearing Russian athletes may cause 'dismay and frustration'|author=Aspin, Guy|date=2 February 2018|newspaper=The Independent|access-date=22 December 2018|archive-date=3 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003101337/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/athletics/russia-doping-scandal-overturned-bans-wada-athletes-cause-dismay-frustration-a8190811.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.olympic.org/news/ioc-statement-on-cas-decision|title=IOC Statement on CAS decision|date=1 February 2018|publisher=Olympic Games|access-date=22 December 2018|archive-date=1 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201135755/https://www.olympic.org/news/ioc-statement-on-cas-decision|url-status=live}}</ref> Later that month, the Russian Olympic Committee was reinstated by the IOC, despite numerous failed drug tests by Russian athletes in the 2018 Olympics.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://inews.co.uk/sport/olympics/tensions-rise-over-chance-of-russian-reinstatement-at-winter-olympics/|title=Tensions rise over reinstatement of Russia at Winter Olympics|last=Lowell|first=Hugo|date=23 February 2018|website=inews.co.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=10 February 2019|archive-date=12 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212011316/https://inews.co.uk/sport/olympics/tensions-rise-over-chance-of-russian-reinstatement-at-winter-olympics/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/feb/28/russia-says-ioc-reinstated-membership-after-doping-allegations|title=Russia's Olympic membership restored by IOC after doping ban|last=Kelner|first=Martha|date=28 February 2018|website=The Guardian|language=en|access-date=3 October 2018|archive-date=22 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180922042055/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/feb/28/russia-says-ioc-reinstated-membership-after-doping-allegations|url-status=live}}</ref> The Russian Anti-Doping Agency was re-certified in September, despite the Russian rejection of the McLaren Report.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2018/09/20/olympics-wada-reinstates-russia-ends-suspension-after-doping-scandal/1365815002/|title=Russia reinstated by WADA, ending nearly 3-year suspension after doping scandal|work=USA Today|access-date=3 October 2018|archive-date=3 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003063430/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2018/09/20/olympics-wada-reinstates-russia-ends-suspension-after-doping-scandal/1365815002/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== 2018 plebiscite in Taiwan ===
On 24 November 2018, the Taiwanese government held a [[2018 Taiwanese referendum|referendum]] over a change in the naming of their National Olympic Committee, from "[[Chinese Taipei]]", a name agreed to in 1981 by the People's Republic of China in the Nagoya Protocol, which denies the [[Republic of China]]'s legitimacy, to simply "Taiwan", after the main island in the [[Free area of the Republic of China|Free Area]]. In the immediate days prior to the referendum, the IOC and the PRC government, issued a threatening statement, suggesting that if the team underwent the name change, the IOC had the legal right to make a "suspension of or forced withdrawal," of the team from the 2020 Summer Olympics.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://freechinapost.com/2018/12/13/why-taiwan-should-compete-as-taiwan-in-the-2020-olympics/|title=Why The ROC Should Compete as Taiwan in the 2020 Olympics|last=Bai|first=Ari|date=3 December 2018|work=The Free China Post|access-date=13 April 2020|language=en-US|archive-date=13 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200413051751/http://freechinapost.com/2018/12/13/why-taiwan-should-compete-as-taiwan-in-the-2020-olympics/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3579486|title=WIOC threatens to disbar Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee|last=Deaeth|first=Duncan|date=20 November 2018|work=Taiwan News|access-date=13 April 2020|language=en-US|archive-date=5 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805215913/https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3579486|url-status=live}}</ref> In response to the allegations of election interference, the IOC stated, "The IOC does not interfere with local procedures and fully respects freedom of expression. However, to avoid any unnecessary expectations or speculations, the IOC wishes to reiterate that this matter is under its jurisdiction.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/international-olympic-committee-warns-taiwan-against-name-change-that-would-rile|title=International Olympic Committee warns Taiwan against name-change that would rile Beijing|date=2018-11-19|work=The Straits Times|access-date=2020-04-13|language=en-US|archive-date=13 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200413051748/https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/international-olympic-committee-warns-taiwan-against-name-change-that-would-rile|url-status=live}}</ref>" Subsequently, with a significant PRC pressure, the referendum failed in Taiwan with 45% to 54%.

===Peng Shuai disappearance===
In November 2021, the IOC was again criticised by [[Human Rights Watch]] (HRW) and others for its response to the 2021 [[Disappearance of Peng Shuai|disappearance]] of [[Peng Shuai]], following her publishing of sexual assault allegations against a former [[Vice Premier of the People's Republic of China|Chinese vice premier]], and high-ranking member of the [[Chinese Communist Party]], [[Zhang Gaoli]].<ref>{{cite web |date=22 November 2021 |title=Olympics: Don't Promote Chinese State Propaganda |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/11/22/olympics-dont-promote-chinese-state-propaganda |website=[[Human Rights Watch]] |access-date=9 December 2021 |archive-date=9 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209092250/https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/11/22/olympics-dont-promote-chinese-state-propaganda |url-status=live }}</ref>
The IOC's response was internationally criticised as complicit in assisting the [[Government of China|Chinese government]] to silence Peng's sexual assault allegations.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Bushnell|first=Henry|date=22 November 2021|title=The IOC says Peng Shuai is safe. Experts say the IOC has become a vehicle for Chinese propaganda|work=[[Yahoo! Sports]]|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/the-ioc-says-peng-shuai-is-safe-experts-say-the-ioc-has-become-chinese-propaganda-001025997.html|access-date=24 November 2021|archive-date=24 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124235321/https://sports.yahoo.com/the-ioc-says-peng-shuai-is-safe-experts-say-the-ioc-has-become-chinese-propaganda-001025997.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=22 November 2021|title=Peng Shuai: IOC accused of 'publicity stunt' over video call|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/nov/22/peng-shuai-wta-says-chinese-tennis-stars-call-with-ioc-chief-is-not-enough|url-status=live|access-date=25 November 2021|website=[[The Guardian]]|language=en|archive-date=24 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124162247/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/nov/22/peng-shuai-wta-says-chinese-tennis-stars-call-with-ioc-chief-is-not-enough}}</ref> Zhang Gaoli previously led the Beijing bidding committee to host the 2022 Winter Olympics.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Zhai|first1=Keith|last2=Bachman|first2=Rachel|last3=Robinson|first3=Joshua|date=24 November 2021|title=Chinese Official Accused of Sexual Assault Played Key Role in Setting Up Beijing 2022 Olympics|language=en-US|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinese-official-accused-of-sexual-assault-played-key-role-in-setting-up-beijing-olympics-11637767947|access-date=25 November 2021|issn=0099-9660|archive-date=25 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211125172622/https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinese-official-accused-of-sexual-assault-played-key-role-in-setting-up-beijing-olympics-11637767947|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Fencing handshaking controversy===
In July 2020 (and reconfirmed in September 2020 and in January 2021), the [[FIE]] replaced its previous handshake requirement with a "salute" by the opposing fencers, writing in a public notice that handshakes were "suspended until further notice."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usafencing.org/news_article/show/1093278-handshaking-rule-suspended-at-usa-fencing-events|title=Handshaking Rule Suspended at USA Fencing Events|first=Nicole|last=Jomantas|date=6 March 2020|website=USA Fencing|access-date=5 August 2023|archive-date=23 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123173558/https://www.usafencing.org/news_article/show/1093278-handshaking-rule-suspended-at-usa-fencing-events|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fencing.org.nz/news/162-covid-19-update-oceania-u20s-and-handshaking-rule|title=Oceania U20s and Handshaking Rule|publisher=Fencing New Zealand|first=Amanda|last=Hopkins|date=12 March 2020|access-date=5 August 2023|archive-date=18 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118201743/https://www.fencing.org.nz/news/162-covid-19-update-oceania-u20s-and-handshaking-rule|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britishfencing.com/handshaking-rule-temporarily-suspended/|title=Handshaking Rule Temporarily Suspended|date=5 March 2020|website=British Fencing|access-date=5 August 2023|archive-date=29 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129053614/https://www.britishfencing.com/handshaking-rule-temporarily-suspended/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>[https://static.fie.org/uploads/24/124713-FIE_outline_risk-mitig_Covid-19%20ang.pdf "FIE OUTLINE of RISK-MITIGATION REQUIREMENTS for NATIONAL FENCING FEDERATIONS and COMPETITION ORGANIZERS in the CONTEXT of COVID-19; PREPARED by FIE TASK FORCE and REVIEWED by FIE MEDICAL COMMISSION and FIE LEGAL COMMISSION,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805194038/https://static.fie.org/uploads/24/124713-FIE_outline_risk-mitig_Covid-19%20ang.pdf |date=5 August 2023 }} FIE, 1 July 2020 and September 2020.</ref><ref>[https://static.fie.org/uploads/24/124248-1.c%20upd%20FIE%20outline%20risk-mitig%20Covid-19%20ang.pdf "FIE OUTLINE of RISK-MITIGATION REQUIREMENTS for NATIONAL FENCING FEDERATIONS and COMPETITION ORGANISERS in the CONTEXT of COVID-19 (FORMIR – COVID-19) PREPARED by FIE TASK FORCE and REVIEWED by FIE MEDICAL COMMISSION and FIE LEGAL COMMISSION,"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805194040/https://static.fie.org/uploads/24/124248-1.c%20upd%20FIE%20outline%20risk-mitig%20Covid-19%20ang.pdf |date=5 August 2023 }} FIE, January 2021]</ref> Nevertheless, in July 2023, the Ukrainian four-time world champion [[Olga Kharlan]] was disqualified at the [[2023 World Fencing Championships|World Fencing Championship]]s for not shaking the hand of her defeated Russian opponent, although Kharlan instead offered a tapping of blades in acknowledgement.<ref name="auto1a">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/fencing/66322668|title=World Fencing Championships: Ukraine's Olga Kharlan disqualified for refusing Russian Anna Smirnov's handshake|work=BBC|date=27 July 2023|access-date=5 August 2023|archive-date=16 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230816224235/https://www.bbc.com/sport/fencing/66322668|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="auto3a">{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/fencing-ukraine-russia-handshake-world-championship-b2383066.html|title=Ukrainian fencer disqualified from world championships for refusing handshake with Russian opponent; Olga Kharlan offered to touch blades after beating Anna Smirnova, who then staged a sit-down protest at the handshake refusal|date=27 July 2023|website=The Independent|author=Aadi Nair|access-date=5 August 2023|archive-date=28 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230728003903/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/fencing-ukraine-russia-handshake-world-championship-b2383066.html|url-status=live}}</ref>  The President of the IOC, Thomas Bach, sent a letter to Kharlan in which he expressed empathy for her, and wrote that in light of the situation she was guaranteed a spot in the [[2024 Summer Olympics]].<ref name="Peter-2023">{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2023/07/28/ukrainian-fencer-wont-shake-hands-with-russian-promised-olympic-spot/70488240007/|title=Ukrainian fencer won't shake hands with Russian at world championships, gets Olympic spot|website=USA TODAY|access-date=5 August 2023|archive-date=29 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230729033645/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2023/07/28/ukrainian-fencer-wont-shake-hands-with-russian-promised-olympic-spot/70488240007/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="7413289Kharlan">{{cite web|title=Ukrainian fencer gets automatically qualified for Olympics|url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2023/07/28/7413289/|date=28 July 2023|access-date=28 July 2023|language=English|author=Yevhen Kizilov|website=[[Ukrainska Pravda]]|archive-date=28 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230728172256/https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2023/07/28/7413289/|url-status=live}}<br>{{cite web|title=Russia-Ukraine conflict: Fencer Olga Kharlan ban lifted as she is handed Olympic spot|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/fencing/66339461|date=28 July 2023|access-date=28 July 2023|language=English|website=[[BBC Sport]]|archive-date=28 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230728143616/https://www.bbc.com/sport/fencing/66339461|url-status=live}}</ref> He wrote further: "as a fellow fencer, it is impossible for me to imagine how you feel at this moment. The war against your country, the suffering of the people in Ukraine, the uncertainty around your participation at the Fencing World Championships ... and then the events which unfolded yesterday – all this is a roller coaster of emotions and feelings. It is admirable how you are managing this incredibly difficult situation, and I would like to express my full support to you. Rest assured that the IOC will continue to stand in full solidarity with the Ukrainian athletes and the Olympic community of Ukraine."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1139327/kharlan-2024-place|title=Ukraine's Kharlan assured of Paris 2024 place by IOC after handshake furore|date=28 July 2023|website=Inside the Games|access-date=5 August 2023|archive-date=28 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230728165543/https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1139327/kharlan-2024-place|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Russian invasion of Ukraine ===
Following the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]] on 24 February 2022, which began shortly after the 2022 Winter Olympics, the IOC banned Russia and Belarus and recommended that other international sporting organisers did the same on 28 February 2022.<ref>{{cite web | title=IOC EB recommends no participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials | website=Olympics.com | date=28 February 2022 | url=https://olympics.com/ioc/news/ioc-eb-recommends-no-participation-of-russian-and-belarusian-athletes-and-officials | access-date=1 January 2024}}</ref>

On 25 January 2023, the IOC published a statement supporting the idea that Russian and Belarusian athletes could be allowed to compete as [[Authorised Neutral Athletes|neutrals]], as long as they did not "actively" support the war and as long as Russian and Belarusian flags, anthems, colors, and names were disallowed.<ref>{{cite web | title=Statement on solidarity with Ukraine, sanctions against Russia and Belarus, and the status of athletes from these countries | website=Olympics.com | date=25 January 2023 | url=https://olympics.com/ioc/news/statement-on-solidarity-with-ukraine-sanctions-against-russia-and-belarus-and-the-status-of-athletes | access-date=1 January 2024}}</ref>

On 12 October 2023, the International Olympic Committee issued a statement stating that after Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Russian Olympic Committee unilaterally transferred four regions that were originally under the jurisdiction of the [[National Olympic Committee of Ukraine]]: [[Donetsk Oblast]], [[Luhansk Oblast]], [[Kherson Oblast]], [[Zaporizhzhia Oblast]] were included as members of their own, so the International Olympic Committee announced the suspension of the membership of the [[Russian Olympic Committee]] with immediate effect.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://olympics.com/ioc/news/ioc-executive-board-suspends-russian-olympic-committee-with-immediate-effect |title=IOC Executive Board suspends Russian Olympic Committee with immediate effect |access-date=7 January 2024 |archive-date=20 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220045519/https://olympics.com/ioc/news/ioc-executive-board-suspends-russian-olympic-committee-with-immediate-effect |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 19 March 2024, the IOC announced that, due to their suspension, Russian and Belarusian athletes would be barred from the [[2024 Summer Olympics]] opening ceremony as neither nation's athletes were invited. Russia responded by accusing the IOC of being "[[Neo-Nazism|neo-nazis]]". Under the ruling, Russian athletes would not be allowed to participate in team events, and are not allowed to display the Russian flag.<ref>{{cite web |last1=York |first1=Chris |title=Russia accuses Olympic Committee of 'racism and neo-Nazism' over opening ceremony decision |url=https://kyivindependent.com/russia-accuses-olympic-committee-of-racism-and-neo-nazism-over-opening-ceremony-decision/ |website=[[The Kyiv Independent]] |date=20 March 2024 |access-date=21 March 2024 |archive-date=20 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240320220858/https://kyivindependent.com/russia-accuses-olympic-committee-of-racism-and-neo-nazism-over-opening-ceremony-decision/ |url-status=live }}</ref> For [[2026 Winter Olympics|2026 Winter Games]] the IOC plans to continue this line, with approaching the [[International Biathlon Union]] and the [[International Ski and Snowboard Federation]] to allow Russian athletes compete in Olympic qualifications under a neutral flag.<ref>{{Cite web |title=IOC lobbies to admit Russian athletes to 2026 Winter Olympics |url=https://english.nv.ua/nation/ioc-lobbies-to-admit-russian-athletes-to-2026-winter-olympics-50493071.html |access-date=26 February 2025 |website=New Voice |language=en}}</ref>

In December 2025, the IOC recommended lifting restrictions on the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in youth competitions in individual and team sports. It also allowed international competitions to be held on Belarusian territory. The ban on Russia remained in place.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 December 2025 |title=IOC wants return of Russian, Belarusian youth athletes to international events |url=https://www.reuters.com/sports/ioc-wants-return-russian-belarusian-youth-athletes-international-events-2025-12-11/ |url-status=live |website=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=11 December 2025 |title=Olympic Summit reaffirms athletes' fundamental rights to access sport without political interference |url=https://www.olympics.com/ioc/news/olympic-summit-reaffirms-athletes-fundamental-rights-to-access-sport-without-political-interference |url-status=live |website=Olympics.com}}</ref>

In February 2026, during the [[2026 Winter Olympics]], the IOC banned Ukrainian [[Skeleton (sport)|skeleton]] pilot [[Vladyslav Heraskevych]] after he wore a helmet featuring images of Ukrainian athletes killed during the Russian invasion, saying that it broke its rules. The ban was controversial, with Heraskevych accusing the IOC of fuelling Russian propaganda, Ukrainian president [[Volodymyr Zelenskyy]] also criticized the decision, saying it played ″into the hands of aggressors″.<ref name="k813">{{cite web | last=Ingle | first=Sean | title='It's emptiness': banned Ukrainian athlete accuses IOC of fuelling Russia's propaganda | website=The Guardian | date=12 February 2026 | url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/feb/12/ukraine-vladyslav-heraskevych-disqualified-winter-olympics-skeleton-helmet-protest-war-deaths | access-date=12 February 2026}}</ref><ref name="v545">{{cite web | last1=Smith | first1=Emma | last2=Anderson | first2=Jess | title=IOC bans Ukrainian skeleton pilot Vladyslav Heraskevych over 'helmet of remembrance' | website=BBC Sport | date=12 February 2026 | url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/articles/c309pj8d8qqo | access-date=12 February 2026}}</ref><ref name="r537">{{cite web | last1=Cuadrado | first1=Patrick Sung | last2=Klosok | first2=Aleks | last3=Davies | first3=Amanda | last4=O’Neil | first4=Dana | title=Ukrainian skeleton slider disqualified from Olympics after breaking IOC rules on helmet honoring dead compatriots | website=CNN | date=12 February 2026 | url=https://edition.cnn.com/2026/02/12/sport/ukrainian-skeleton-withdrawn-olympics-helmet | access-date=12 February 2026}}</ref>

=== Israel at the 2024 Summer Olympics ===
In November 2023, Russia accused the IOC of having double standards by not sanctioning Israel due to its military actions in Gaza and its [[Israeli-occupied territories|occupation of Palestine]], as Palestine is also an IOC member.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Salguero |first1=David Rubio |title=IOC defends the participation of Israeli athletes in Paris 2024 |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1142358/ioc-defe |access-date=20 February 2024 |work=insidethegames.biz |date=6 November 2023 |archive-date=20 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240220202117/https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1142358/ioc-defe |url-status=live }}</ref> In January 2024, over 300 Palestinian sports clubs called for Israel to be barred from the 2024 Olympics after [[Bombing of Gaza|Israeli airstrikes]] had killed Palestine's Olympic football team coach, and damaged the headquarters of the [[Palestine Olympic Committee]] in Gaza.<ref>{{cite web |date=18 January 2024 |title=More than 300 Palestinian sports clubs call for Israel Olympic Games ban |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/1/18/israels-war-on-gaza-live-medicine-arrives-for-captives-palestinians?update=2629791 |website=Al Jazeera |access-date=8 March 2024 |archive-date=25 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225214605/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/1/18/israels-war-on-gaza-live-medicine-arrives-for-captives-palestinians?update=2629791 |url-status=live }}</ref> Sports organisations from other Arab countries also called for sanctions to be imposed against Israel and for it to be stopped from participating in the [[2024 Summer Olympics]], due to the [[Gaza war]]. The organisations said their concerns were about the war's impact on Palestinian athletes and sports facilities.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Zirin |first1=Dave |date=10 January 2024 |title=Will the IOC Do Anything About the Killing of Palestinian Athletes? |url=https://www.thenation.com/article/society/ioc-israel-palestine-olympics/ |work=[[The Nation]] |access-date=8 March 2024 |archive-date=27 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240227072424/https://www.thenation.com/article/society/ioc-israel-palestine-olympics/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Zidan |first1=Karim |date=18 January 2024 |title=The case for sports sanctions against Israel |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/jan/18/the-case-for-sports-sanctions-against-israel |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240301052305/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/jan/18/the-case-for-sports-sanctions-against-israel |archive-date=1 March 2024 |access-date=8 March 2024 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> The IOC cautioned athletes against boycotting or discriminating against others, stating that immediate action will follow any discriminatory behaviour such as the case of Algerian judoka [[Fethi Nourine]], who received a ten-year ban following his refusal to fight [[Tohar Butbul]], an Israeli, in the [[2020 Summer Olympics]]. The IOC also stated that athletes are not to be held accountable for their government's actions.<ref>{{cite news |title=IOC waarschuwt voor boycots en discriminatie tijdens Spelen |trans-title=IOC warns against boycotts and discrimination during Games |url=https://www.rtlnieuws.nl/sport/artikel/5416404/ioc-waarschuwt-voor-boycots-en-discriminatie-tijdens-spelen |work=[[RTL Nieuws]] |date=1 November 2023 |language=NL |access-date=8 March 2024 |archive-date=17 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240217160509/https://www.rtlnieuws.nl/sport/artikel/5416404/ioc-waarschuwt-voor-boycots-en-discriminatie-tijdens-spelen |url-status=live }}</ref> In March 2024, IOC President [[Thomas Bach]] made it clear the IOC would allow [[Israel at the 2024 Summer Olympics|Israel to participate at the 2024 Summer Olympics]] and cautioned athletes against boycotts and discrimination.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Israel's Olympic status not in question says IOC president Bach amid frustration with Russia|url=https://apnews.com/article/paris-olympics-ioc-bach-israel-russia-8b6005213cb0e680bf533c0454ece216|date=6 March 2024|website=AP|language=en|access-date=8 March 2024|archive-date=6 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240306192356/https://apnews.com/article/paris-olympics-ioc-bach-israel-russia-8b6005213cb0e680bf533c0454ece216|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== 2024 WADA scandal ===
In July 2024, the IOC threatened to withdraw Salt Lake City's bid to host the [[2034 Winter Olympics]] if U.S. authorities continued to investigate allegations of doping by Chinese swimmers. The IOC insisted that Salt Lake City agree that it may "terminate Olympic host city contracts in cases where the supreme authority of the [[World Anti-Doping Agency]] (WADA) in the fight against doping is not fully respected or if the application of the world antidoping code is hindered or undermined." This was intended to undermine the [[United States Department of Justice]]'s criminal investigation into the [[World Anti-Doping Agency#Chinese doping allegations|allegations that the World Anti-Doping Agency covered up and failed to sanction drug use by Chinese swimmers]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mann |first=Brian |date=24 July 2024 |title=Olympic officials try to crush U.S. probes of China doping, threaten Salt Lake Games |url=https://www.npr.org/2024/07/24/nx-s1-5050528/olympic-threaten-salt-lake-2034-winter-games-doping |access-date=24 July 2024 |work=[[NPR]] |archive-date=25 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240725015007/https://www.npr.org/2024/07/24/nx-s1-5050528/olympic-threaten-salt-lake-2034-winter-games-doping |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Longman |first1=Jeré |last2=Panja |first2=Tariq |last3=Schmidt |first3=Michael S. |date=24 July 2024 |title=Salt Lake Awarded 2034 Olympics Under I.O.C. Pressure Over Doping Inquiries |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/24/world/olympics/salt-lake-city-winter-olympics-2034.html |access-date=25 July 2024 |work=[[The New York Times]] |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=25 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240725004524/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/24/world/olympics/salt-lake-city-winter-olympics-2034.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==IOC Executive Board==
Founded in 1921, The executive board manages the affairs of the IOC.  Its members include the President, four Vice Presidents, and ten other members.  All members are elected, by secret ballot, by a majority of votes cast, for a four-year term. Meetings can only be conducted if convened by the president or at the request of the majority of its members.<ref name="olympic1"/>

Its responsibilities include:

*Assume the general overall responsibility for the administration of the IOC;
*Monitor the observance of the Olympic Charter;
*Approve the IOC's internal organisation, its organisation chart and all internal regulations relating to its organisation;
*Manage the IOC's finances and prepares an annual report;
*Present a report to the Session on any proposed change of the Olympic Charter, one of its Rules or bye-laws;
*Submit, on proposal of the Nomination Commission, to the IOC Session the names of the persons whom it recommends for election to the IOC;
*Conduct the procedure for acceptance and selection of candidatures for the organisation of the Olympic Games;
*Establish the agenda for the IOC Sessions;
*Upon proposal from the President, it appoints the Director General;
*Enact, in the form it deems most appropriate, (codes, rulings, norms, guidelines, guides, instructions) all regulations necessary to ensure the proper implementation of the Olympic Charter and the organisation of the Olympic Games;
*Organise periodic meetings with the IFs and with the NOCs at least once every two years;
*Create and allocate IOC honorary distinctions;
*Perform all other duties assigned to it by the Session.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Designation !! Name !! Country
|-
|'''Honorary President'''|| [[Thomas Bach]] ||{{GER}}
|-
|'''President'''|| [[Kirsty Coventry]] ||{{ZIM}}
|-
|rowspan=4| '''Vice Presidents''' || [[Nawal El Moutawakel]] || {{MOR}}
|-
| [[Gerardo Werthein]] || {{ARG}}
|-
| [[Pierre-Olivier Beckers-Vieujant]] || {{BEL}}
|-
| [[Juan Antonio Samaranch Salisachs|Juan Antonio Samaranch]] || {{ESP}}
|-
|rowspan=10 | '''Executive Members''' || [[Prince Faisal bin Hussein|Prince Feisal Al Hussein]] || {{JOR}}
|-
| [[Mikaela Cojuangco Jaworski]] || {{PHI}}
|-
| [[Li Lingwei]] || {{CHN}}
|-
| [[Spyros Capralos]] || {{GRE}}
|-
| [[Kristin Kloster Aasen|Kristin Kloster]] || {{NOR}}
|-
| [[Octavian Morariu]] || {{ROM}}
|-
| [[Ingmar De Vos]] || {{BEL}}
|-
| [[Kim Jae-youl]] || {{KOR}}
|-
| [[Neven Ilic]] || {{CHI}}
|-
| [[Pau Gasol]] || {{ESP}}
|-
|'''Director General''' || [[Christophe De Kepper]] || {{BEL}}
|}

==IOC Commissions==
These commissions have individual missions in the Olympic Movement.  They may be created by the president, the IOC executive board, or the Olympic Charter.  The president is an ex officio member of all commissions, designates its members and determines their dissolution once they have fulfilled their mandates.  No commission can hold a meeting without permission of the president unless otherwise noted.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://olympics.com/ioc/commissions |website=IOC |title=IOC Commissions |access-date=10 August 2024 }}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
! Commission !! Chairperson !! Country !! Mission/Responsibilities
|-
| [[IOC Athletes' Commission]] || [[Pau Gasol]] || {{ESP}} || Represent athletes within the Olympic Movement, support them so they can succeed in their sporting and non-sporting careers, and empower the network of athlete representatives.  
|-
| IOC Athletes' Entourage Commission || [[Sergey Bubka]] || {{UKR}} || Improve the quality and the level of services to athletes by engaging with and uniting the stakeholders.
|-
| IOC Audit Committee || [[Pierre-Olivier Beckers-Vieujant]] || {{BEL}} || Assist the Director General's Office in fulfilling its responsibilities in terms of risk management, financial reporting, compliance, control and governance.  
|-
| IOC Esports Commission || [[David Lappartient]] || {{FRA}} || Supervise the IOC's Esports and oversee the planning and organisation of upcoming Olympic Esports Games.
|-
| IOC Future Host Commission For The Olympic Winter Games || [[Karl Stoss]] || {{AUT}} || Explore, create and oversee interest in future Olympic Winter Games and Winter Youth Olympic Games.
|-
| IOC Future Host Summer Commission For The Games Of The Olympiad || [[Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic]] || {{CRO}} || Explore, create and oversee interest in future Games of the Olympiad and Summer Youth Olympic Games. 
|-
| IOC Coordination Commission [[2032 Summer Olympics|Brisbane 2032]] || [[Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski|Mikaela Cojuangco Jaworski]] || {{PHI}} || Supervise the planning and organisation of the Games of the XXXV Olympiad Brisbane 2032.
|-
| IOC Coordination Commission [[2030 Winter Olympics|French Alps 2030]] || [[Pierre-Olivier Beckers-Vieujant]] || {{BEL}} || Supervise the planning and organisation of the XXVI Olympic Winter Games French Alps 2030.
|-
| IOC Coordination Commission [[2028 Summer Olympics|Los Angeles 2028]] || [[Nicole Hoevertsz]] || {{ARU}} || Supervise the planning and organisation of the Games of the XXXIV Olympiad Los Angeles 2028.
|-
| IOC Coordination Commission [[2026 Summer Youth Olympics|Dakar 2026]] (YOG) || [[Humphrey Kayange]] || {{KEN}} ||Supervise the planning and organisation of the 4th Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026.
|-
| IOC Culture and Olympic Heritage Commission || [[Patama Leeswadtrakul|Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul]] || {{THA}} || Supervise all the activities of the Olympic Movement that are related to culture in the broadest sense of the term - art, history, focus on values, academic research and patrimonial collections – with a view to promoting the Olympic ideals as widely as possible, especially among young people all over the world.
|-
| IOC Digital and Technology Commission || [[Gerardo Werthein]] || {{ARG}} || Supervise all matters relating to marketing and digital programs
|-
| IOC Ethics Commission || [[Patricia O'Brien]] || {{IRL}} || Safeguard the ethical principles of the Olympic Movement, keep the Code of Ethics updated, examines situations involving possible breaches of the ethical principles and, if necessary, proposes sanctions.  
|-
| IOC Finance Commission || [[Ng Ser Miang]] || {{SIN}} || Provide advice and recommendations relating to the IOC's financial management in order to safeguard continuity and strengthen the transparency and good governance of the IOC and the Olympic Movement.
|-
| IOC Members Election Commission || [[Anne, Princess Royal]] || {{GBR}} || Propose and implement a new targeted recruitment process of IOC Members as per recommendation 38 of Olympic Agenda 2020 
|-
| IOC Legal Affairs Commission || [[Denis Oswald (sports official)|Denis Oswald]] || {{SUI}} || Supervise the legal affairs of the IOC.  This includes providing legal opinions, consider defence actions and study the legal nature of issues that may affect the interests of the IOC.
|-
| IOC Television And Marketing Services Board Of Directors || [[Jiri Kejval]] || {{CZE}} || Supervise all Olympic Television and Marketing operations.
|-
| IOC Medical and Scientific Commission || [[Robin E. Mitchell]] || {{FIJ}} || Provide a guiding reference for all other sports organisations on matters relating to the protection of the health of athletes.
|-
| IOC [[Olympic Channel]] Board Of Directors || [[Richard Carrión]] || {{PUR}} || Maintain year-round interest in the Olympic movement, carrying documentaries and other programming chronicling the Olympic Games, as well as coverage of events in Olympic sport outside of the Games. 
|-
| IOC Olympic Education Commission || [[Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski|Mikaela Cojuangco Jaworski]] || {{PHI}} || Supervise the promotion of Olympic values-based education and provides strategic direction on IOC programmes and activities related to the education of youth through sport. 
|-
| IOC Olympic Programme Commission || [[Karl Stoss]] || {{AUT}} || Analyse Summer, Winter and Youth Olympic Games programmes and form proposals for consideration by the IOC Executive Board.
|-
| IOC Olympic Solidarity Commission || [[Robin E. Mitchell]] || {{FIJ}} || Provide assistance to all the National Olympic Committees (NOCs) for athlete development programmes, in particular those with the greatest needs of it.
|-
| IOC Olympism 365 Commission || [[Auvita Rapilla]] || {{PNG}} || Strengthen the role of sport and Olympism in society as important enablers of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, 365 days a year.
|-
| IOC Commission for Public Affairs and Social Development Through Sport || [[Luis Alberto Moreno]] || {{COL}} || Protect and promote the autonomy and neutrality of sport. It also advises on the role of sport and Olympism in society, as a contributor to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and as a contributor to peace. It recommends approaches to position the IOC as a thought-leader and policy-influencer on the international stage.
|-
| IOC Technology And Technical Innovation Commission || [[Gerardo Werthein]] || {{ARG}} || Ensure that the IOC has the appropriate strategies relating to the secure and sustainable use of technology in support of the IOC's daily operations, the delivery of the Olympic Games and of the Youth Olympic Games.
|-
| IOC Sustainability and Legacy Commission || [[Albert II, Prince of Monaco]] || {{MON}} || Supervise sustainability and legacy matters and make informed, balanced decisions that maximise positive impacts, minimise negative impacts and foster positive change and legacies in the social, economic and environmental spheres.
|-
| Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commission || [[Lydia Nsekera]] || {{BDI}} || Supervise the implementation of the gender equality and inclusion strategy to enable them to make informed and balanced decisions to advance gender equality in sport on and off the field of play across the three spheres of responsibility of the IOC.
|-
| IOC Revenues And Commercial Partnerships Commission || [[Jiri Kejval]] || {{CZE}} || Give guidance, perspective and ideas in the area of Olympic marketing and commercial partnerships which will assist the IOC to continue to generate, enable and grow long-term, sustainable revenue streams for the Olympic Movement.
|}

==The Olympic Partner programme==
The Olympic Partner (TOP) sponsorship programme includes the following commercial sponsors of the Olympic Games.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://olympics.com/ioc/partners |website=IOC |title=The Olympic Partner Programme|access-date=20 February 2025}}</ref>
* [[AB InBev]]
* [[Airbnb]]
* [[Allianz]]
* [[Alibaba Group]]
* [[The Coca-Cola Company|Coca-Cola]]-[[Mengniu Dairy]] (joint partnership)
* [[Deloitte]]
* [[JPMorgan Chase]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.olympics.com/ioc/news/jpmorganchase-named-first-ever-global-banking-partner-of-the-olympic-games|title=JPMorganChase named first-ever Global Banking Partner of the Olympic Games |date=28 April 2026|work=International Olympic Committee}}</ref>
* [[Omega SA]]
* [[Procter & Gamble]]
* [[Samsung Electronics]]
* [[TCL Technology]]
* [[Visa Inc.]]

==See also==
{{Commons category|International Olympic Committee}}
* [[Association of International Olympic Winter Sports Federations]] (AIOWF)
* [[Association of IOC Recognised International Sports Federations]] (ARISF)
* [[Association of Summer Olympic International Federations]] (ASOIF)
* [[International Academy of Sport Science and Technology]] (AISTS)
* [[International Committee of Sports for the Deaf]] (ICSD)
* [[International Paralympic Committee]] (IPC)
* [[International University Sports Federation]] (FISU)
* [[Global Association of International Sports Federations]] (GAISF)
* [[FICTS (Fédération Internationale Cinéma Télévision Sportifs)]] (Organisation recognised by the IOC)
* [[List of IOC meetings]]
* [[Olympic Congress]]
* [[List of International Olympic Committee competitions]]

==References==
{{notelist}}
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book|title = Historical Dictionary of the Olympic Movement|last1 = Buchanon|first1 = Ian|last2 = Mallon|first2 = Bill|publisher = Scarecrow Press|location = Lanham, MD|year = 2006|isbn = 978-0-8108-5574-8|url = https://archive.org/details/historicaldictio00buch_0}}
*{{cite book |last= Chappelet |first= Jean-Loup |author2=Brenda Kübler-Mabbott |title= International Olympic Committee and the Olympic system: the governance of world sport |year= 2008 |publisher=Routledge |location= New York |isbn= 978-0-415-43167-5 }}
* {{cite book|title = Global entertainment media|last = Cooper-Chen|first = Anne|publisher = Lawrence Erlbaum Associates|location = Mahwah, New Jersey|year = 2005|isbn = 978-0-8058-5168-7|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=1Su8jRiVVdoC&q=tv+influence+on+olympic+games&pg=PA228|access-date =21 March 2009}}
*{{cite book |last= Lenskyj |first= Helen Jefferson |title= Inside the Olympic Industry: Power, Politics and Activism |year= 2000 |publisher= SUNY |location= New York}}
*{{Cite book|publisher=H. B. Fenn & Company, Ltd|url=http://www.iihf.com/100-years/100-years-of-ice-hockey/home/100-top-stories.html|title=IIHF Top 100 Hockey Stories of All-Time|year=2008|isbn=978-1-55168-358-4|access-date=25 March 2009|last1=Podnieks|first1=Andrew|last2=Szemberg|first2=Szymon|author-link1=Andrew Podnieks|archive-date=21 March 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090321095926/http://www.iihf.com/100-years/100-years-of-ice-hockey/home/100-top-stories.html|url-status=live}}

==External links==
*{{Official website}}

{{International Olympic Committee}}
{{Association of National Olympic Committees}}
{{International Sports Federations}}
{{Olympic Games}}
{{Portal bar|Olympics|Switzerland|Sports}}
{{Authority control}}
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