OLYMPIC GAMES

Learn more about the Olympic Games

The future of sport was among the panel discussions on the second day of the forum ©Getty Images

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach has dismissed criticisms of the organisation’s reforms from Chris Dempsey due to the No Boston Olympics co-chairman having had “no experience of organising the Olympic Games”.

The Olympism in Action Forum will feature a range of influential and powerful speakers, including athletes, sport and government officials, academics, Young Change-Makers, business leaders, NGOs, and more. These inspiring minds will lead the Forum’s debates and discussions, and share their experiences and perspectives on how to build a better world through sport. 

FRIDAY, 5 OCTOBER 2018

7:30 - 9:00

REGISTRATION & BREAKFAST

Registration Area (Level 0) & Foyer

9:00 – 9:25

OPENING SESSION

Plenary Hall

This discussion will address topics including the values of Olympism, the role of these values at national and global levels; why sport is still a valuable tool for national development after hundreds of years; and how we can ensure sport is being used as a tool for good in the world.

  • Thomas Bach, President, International Olympic Committee
  • Mauricio Macri, President of Argentina

In conversation with: Jennifer Dahlgren, Hammer Throw Olympian (Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, London 2012, Río 2016), Argentina

9:25 – 9:40

THE POWER OF THE OLYMPIC TRUCE

Plenary Hall

Dating back to 776 BC and the Ancient Olympic Games, the Olympic Truce was announced before the Olympic Games. A call to a cessation of any hostilities, it was intended to ensure that the host city of the Olympic Games was able to organise the event in peace and ensure the safe passage of athletes and spectators taking part in the Games. The Olympic Truce was revived by the United Nations Organisation in 1993. Even under the most tense and volatile of circumstances, the Olympic Truce reaffirms that the Olympic values of peace, solidarity and respect are as important across the world today as they were over 3,000 years ago, when the ancient Olympic Games first took place in Greece. Taking the most recent inspiring example of the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018, this session will highlight how sport and the values of Olympism have the power to unite a fractured world.

  • Ban Ki-moon, Eighth Secretary-General of the United Nations & Chair, International Olympic Committee Ethics Commission

In conversation with: Sonali Prasad, Print and Data Journalist, Olympic Information Services Photo Project, India

9:40 – 10:20

WOMEN IN SPORT

Plenary Hall

While the world has taken great strides in the last 100 years to advance gender equality, it is critical to continue and expand upon this forward momentum to build a world characterised by universal equal rights for women and men. Promoting gender equality in all industries, from business and politics to entertainment and sport, is hugely relevant in today’s world; however, much remains to be done to ensure that women and girls are given an equal opportunity to succeed; provided with fair and equal pay; and protected from discrimination, harassment and abuse. This session will discuss the challenges women in sport face, and it will explore how sport can be used as a tool for empowering women and girls and for moving the needle towards gender parity.

Moderator: Evelyn Watta, Vice President, International Sports Press Association & News Producer, Olympic Channel, Kenya

  • Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud, Vice President of Development and Planning & President of Mass Participation, General Sports Authority, Saudi Arabia
  • Beth A. Brooke-Marciniak, Global Vice Chair - Public Policy, EY & Founder, EY Women Athletes Business Network (WABN), United States
  • Marisol Casado, IOC Member, President of the International Triathlon Union & IOC Gender Equality Review Working Group Chair, Spain
  • Brian Lewis, President, Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) & Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC), Trinidad & Tobago
  • Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, United Nations Under-Secretary-General & Executive Director, UN Women

10:20 – 11:00

COMBATTING DOPING IN SPORT: A BATTLE WORTH FIGHTING

Plenary Hall

The responsibility that the Olympic Movement and sport organizations worldwide have in ensuring sport and sporting events are fair and clean is more relevant than ever before. How can we ensure that the testing being done is independent and without any conflicts of interest? How can we break the “rule of silence” and encourage people to come forward and report violations? What is the right balance between protecting the civil rights and privacy of athletes versus anti-doping measures? This panel discussion with a diverse group of athletes and officials will address the most critical issues related to doping, which affect not only the Olympic Movement, but global sports at large.

Moderator: Adnan Nawaz, News Anchor, TRT World, Turkey


  • Ben Cohen, Director General, International Testing Agency, Switzerland
  • Kirsty Coventry, Five-time Olympian & Chair, IOC Athletes' Commission, Zimbabwe
  • David Millar, Former Professional Cyclist & Founder, United Kingdom
  • Yuliya Stepanova, Anti-Doping Whistleblower & Elite Athlete & Vitaly Stepanov, Anti-Doping Whistleblower & Former Employee, Russian Anti-Doping Agency (livestreamed)
  • Günter Younger, Director, Intelligence and Investigations, World Anti-Doping Agency, Canada

11:00 – 11:30

NETWORKING COFFEE BREAK

Foyer & Marketplace

11:30 – 12:50

WORKING ZONE

4 sessions in parallel

WORKING ZONE 1A: PROTECTING ATHLETES: CONSIDERATIONS ON DOPING & FAIR PLAY

Working Zone Excellence

What constitutes doping and fair play may not always be as black and white as it seems. Doping raises many questions, which can often differ depending on the context. For example, all athletes do things to optimise their physical performance: they might wear special clothing, they might undergo surgery to recover from an injury, they might use treatments to acclimatise to higher altitudes, and they might use drugs to increase muscle mass. All of the aforementioned actions, except for using drugs to increase muscle mass, are usually seen as acceptable. This session will feature a lively debate between two leading academics to stimulate new thinking around a commonly discussed issue.

Facilitator: Adnan Nawaz, News Anchor, TRT World, Turkey

  • Michael McNamee, Professor of Applied Ethics, College of Engineering, Swansea University, United Kingdom
  • Andy Miah, Chair in Science Communication & Future Media, School of Environment & Life Sciences, University of Salford, United Kingdom

WORKING ZONE 1B: PROTECTING ATHLETES: EDUCATION & DETERRENCE

Working Zone Excellence

In a world where science and technology innovate at unprecedented levels, notably in the methods of detecting prohibited drugs, it appears that it would be difficult for any athlete to conceal doping. However, experts believe it is becoming more challenging to fight doping. From stricter sanctions to education, there are many directions to explore regarding more efficient deterrence and prevention methods. Focusing resources on the deterrence and prevention of doping, as opposed to solely focusing on post-factum efforts, could prove more effective and efficient. Featuring a variety of athlete perspectives, this session will explore which deterrence methods have worked, and where efforts need to be further expanded.

Facilitator: Adnan Nawaz, News Anchor, TRT World, Turkey

  • Muffy Davis, 7-time Paralympic Medallist & Governing Board Member, International Paralympic Committee, United States
  • Kady Kanouté Tounkara, Zone 2 Chair, Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa, Mali
  • Nicky Van Rossem, Project Officer, Belgian Olympic & Interfederal Committee, Belgium

 

WORKING ZONE 2: SPORTS BETTING & MATCH-FIXING

Working Zone Friendship

Betting-related match-fixing has manifested itself as a recurrent, complex problem worldwide, transcending national boundaries, sporting disciplines and levels of competition, and involving a wide range of actors, including referees, officials, coaches and athletes. The evolution of new technologies, the “hyper-globalisation” of the betting market, and ineffective regulation have been the main drivers of this surge. The negative impact of betting-related match-fixing on the integrity of sport, as well as betting’s links to gambling addiction and organised crime, have fuelled arguments against the legalisation of sports betting, an ongoing issue. This session will examine the sports betting frameworks that exist, and the work of regulatory and law enforcement entities to prevent match-fixing and organised crime linked to sport.

Facilitator: David Harrison, Senior Investigative Reporter, Al Jazeera International, United Kingdom

WORKING ZONE 3: PREVENTION OF HARASSMENT & ABUSE IN SPORT

Working Zone Respect

Research and testimony demonstrate that harassment and abuse occur in sport, compounded by a lack of athlete safeguarding policies and procedures. The IOC Consensus Statement (2016) identifies five main forms of harassment and abuse: psychological abuse, sexual abuse, sexual harassment, neglect and physical abuse. Harassment and abuse may impair athletes’ performance, be associated with doping, increase athletes' willingness to cheat, lead to athlete drop-out, undermine the trust that athletes place in sports administrators, and/or result in a variety of presentations in survivors, including psychosomatic illnesses, disordered eating, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, self-harm and even suicide. To prevent harassment and abuse, to effect organisational, institutional and secular-cultural change, and to perpetuate a culture which respects the rights of all, it is essential that we learn from each other and share best practices

Facilitator: HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein, IOC Member; IOC Women in Sport Commission Vice-Chair, Chair, IOC Prevention of Harassment and Abuse in Sport Working Group, Jordan

  • Maria Bobenrieth, Executive Director, Women Win, The Netherlands
  • Colin Harris, Former Professional Footballer & Academic, University of Brighton, United Kingdom
  • Diane Huffman, Senior Advisor, Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee & Confederation of Sports, Norway
  • Karen Leach, Child Protection Advocate, Ireland
  • Morinari Watanabe, President, International Gymnastics Federation, Japan

WORKING ZONE 4: SOCIAL INCLUSION & COHESIVE SOCIETIES

Working Zone Solidarity

Today, the world is impacted by divisions, and migrants, refugees, people of differing cultures and faiths, and other marginalised populations are too often left out. Dialogue and respect for different perspectives are essential in the age of globalisation, and sport provides a useful tool for promoting social inclusion. Furthermore, sport’s ability to contribute to sustainable development can be leveraged to work towards decreasing poverty, therefore promoting social inclusion on an economic level as well. This working zone aims to explore how sport can bridge the divisions that currently exist in societies around the world, with the goal of promoting inclusion and creating cohesive communities.

Facilitator: David Eades, Chief Presenter, BBC & Conference Host and Moderator, United Kingdom

12:50 – 14:00

 

NETWORKING LUNCH

Foyer & Marketplace

14:00 – 15:20

WORKING ZONE

4 sessions in paralle

WORKING ZONE 5: ACTIVE CITIES & HEALTHY SOCIETIES

Working Zone Excellence

By 2050, more than two-thirds of the world’s population is expected to be living in cities. While urban living brings benefits and opportunities for people, it poses a specific set of risks and challenges that can negatively affect public health. Cities must re-think the way they approach urban planning and growth in order to enable their citizens to be more active and healthy. This interactive session will explore concrete ways in which the sport and health sectors can collaborate to combat noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) more generally. It will also take an in-depth look at solutions designed for urban populations. City officials, multilateral institutions, NGOs, and sports organisations will share their experiences in implementing policies and programmes in complex ecosystems.

Facilitator: Bill Morris LVO, International Events Consultant & Ex-Director of Culture, Ceremonies, Education and Live Sites, London 2012, United Kingdom

  • Eleonora Bauer, Director of the Buenos Aires Ciudad Activa Project, Buenos Aires City Government, Argentina
  • Fiona Bull, Programme Manager, Surveillance & Population Based Prevention, Prevention of Noncommunicable Diseases (PND), World Health Organisation
  • Espen Granberg Johnsen, Mayor of City Council, Lillehammer Municipality, Norway
  • Maurice Smith, Clinical Director, Living Well, NHS Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Group, United Kingdom

WORKING ZONE 6A: COST, LEGACY & THE NEW NORM: DEBATE

Working Zone Friendship

Hosting major sporting events is frequently used by city and national governments as a catalyst for positive change, whether it be increasing tourism, expanding transport infrastructure, or raising a city’s global stature. However, what is initially planned by organisers as positive legacy initiatives sometimes contrast starkly with the reality after the event. The organisers of the Olympic Games have historically faced challenges, such as building oversized venues that stand abandoned for years after the event is over. Considering these challenges of the past, the IOC has developed a set of new forms, called “The New Norm,” which aim to completely transform how the Olympic Games are delivered and how they can create an impactful, positive legacy. In this workshop, leading economists and experts will discuss challenges of bidding for and hosting the Games and debate what needs to be done to ensure the Games are organised in a more cost-effective and flexible way.

Facilitator: Sonali Shah, Newsreader, BBC Sport

  • Fraser Bullock, COO & CFO, Salt Lake City 2002, United States
  • Holger Preuss, , Professor, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Germany
  • Andrew Zimbalist, Chairperson and Robert A. Woods Professor of Economics, Smith College, United States

WORKING ZONE 6B: SPOTLIGHT ON PARIS 2024 AND LOS ANGELES 2028 OLYMPIC GAMES

Working Zone Friendship

Hosting major sporting events is frequently used by local governments as a catalyst for positive change, whether it be increasing tourism, expanding transportation infrastructure, or raising a city’s global stature. Organizers of upcoming Olympic Games will share their candid thoughts and experiences in their work to ensure the Olympic Games are a force for good in the host cities.

Facilitator: Sonali Shah, Newsreader, BBC Sport, United Kingdom

WORKING ZONE 7: SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH SPORT

Working Zone Respect

From skiing and surfing to mountaineering and sailing, the number of sports that exist in natural environments is endless. This is why the protection of those environments is a vital priority for athletes, sports federations, the private sector, NGOs and major sporting events. Driven by the power of sport to convene, move and inspire, the Olympic Movement and the sports world at large are continually working not only to ensure that sustainable practices are embedded in the operations of organisations and the planning of events, but also to promote the protection of these environments in which many sports are practised. This workshop will feature concrete examples of individuals and organisations that have effectively leveraged sport as a tool for environmental protection and sustainability.

Facilitator: David Eades, Chief Presenter, BBC & Conference Host and Moderator, United Kingdom


  • Giulia Carbone, Deputy Director, Global Business & Biodiversity Programme, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Italy
  • Alex Deibold, Professional Snowboarder & 2014 Olympic Bronze Medalist, United States
  • Leo Heileman, Regional Director and Representative of the Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, UN Environment
  • David Katoatau, Professional Weightlifter, Kiribati
  • Nicoletta Piccolrovazzi, Global Technology & Sustainability Director, Olympic & Sports Solutions, The Dow Chemical Company, United States
  • Jean-Christophe Rolland, President, World Rowing Federation, Switzerland

WORKING ZONE 8: GENERATING SOCIAL CHANGE THROUGH SPORT

Working Zone Solidarity

The power of sport to transform communities, alter mind-sets and break down barriers has long been known, but framing this power into a sustainable solution has been a relatively recent phenomenon that has given rise to a new brand of young social entrepreneurs who feel a growing sense of responsibility as global citizens to effect change. The overarching goal of this session is to provide frameworks, tools and implementable solutions to address systemic social challenges through the power of sport, community and innovation.  The session will be a highly interactive, immersive experience. Participants will be tasked with designing either a product or a service that addresses a social problem or need within a specific target audience and location. At the end of the session, participants will walk away with not only a concrete implementable venture or concept, but also a series of tools for designing solutions to a variety of problems.

Facilitator: Arnaud Mourot, Co-Director, Ashoka, Europe, France

15:20 – 15:45

NETWORKING COFFEE BREAK

Foyer & Marketplace

15:45 – 16:35

HOSTING THE OLYMPIC GAMES: CITY PERSPECTIVES

Plenary Hall

There are many reasons why hosting the Olympic Games is attractive to a city or country. The expectations that the event will have a positive impact, both tangible and intangible, on local communities is alive and well. From developing an underserved part of a city and expanding much-needed infrastructure to boosting the local economy and increasing tourism, hosting such a large-scale event can bring about great opportunities. However, cost overruns, questions over resource use and perceived corruption among other challenges have left some populations hesitant about their city’s bid to host the Olympic Games. This session will seek to examine the arguments for and against hosting the Olympic Games, and shine a light on the real experiences, both challenging and inspiring, faced by organisers from past and upcoming Games.

Moderator: Sonali Shah, Newsreader, BBC Sport, United Kingdom

16:35 – 16:50

SPARK TALK: FIGHTING FOR THE RIGHT TO PLAY SPORT

Plenary Hall

One athlete’s story of bravery and perseverance, which remains an inspiration to others who wish to break down barriers and fight for a more equitable world through sport.

16:50 – 17:35

INTEGRITY OF INSTITUTIONS: COMBATTING CORRUPTION IN SPORT

Plenary Hall

Through building awareness of corruption, encouraging a global dialogue on the topic, and promoting transparency in all sectors, we can advance the anti-corruption agenda and move towards stronger institutions at a time when general mistrust surrounds large organisations and multinational companies. This session will explore the success stories and best practices for protecting institutional integrity in sport, while also addressing the work and reforms that still need to be done.

Moderator: Razia Iqbal, Presenter, BBC News, United Kingdom

  • Mogens Jensen, Rapporteur on Sports Governance of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Member of the Parliament of Denmark, The Socialdemocratic Party, Denmark
  • Mari Kiviniemi, Deputy Secretary-General, OECD, France
  • Jean-Luc Lemahieu, Director, Division for Policy Analysis and Public Affairs, UNODC
  • Alexandra Orlando, Marketing Director, Canadian Olympian (Rhythmic Gymnastics), Pan American Sports Organization, Canada
  • Francesco Ricci Bitti, President, Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF), Italy

17:45 – 18:45

AWARDS CEREMONY

Plenary Hall

19:00 – 21:00

EVENING CELEBRATION TBD

Foyer

SATURDAY, 6 OCTOBER 2018

9:00 – 10:30

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

4 sessions in parallel

WORKING ZONE 9A: SPORT AS A HUMAN RIGHT

Working Zone Excellence

This year, the world celebrates the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a monumental document which established the laws and principles related to the equality of all individuals and their inalienable right to dignity. Sport is one of the best ambassadors to promote human rights and the inclusion of all. Through sport, people learn values that cross gender, creed, nationality, age, economic position and even physical condition. This session will highlight the special relationship between sport and human rights and explore how sport and its values can be used to promote human rights for all.

Facilitator: Razia Iqbal, Presenter, BBC News, United Kingdom

  • Maria Bray, Child Protection & Psychosocial Support Senior Advisor, Terre des hommes, Switzerland
  • David Grevemberg CBE, Chief Executive, Commonwealth Games Federation, United Kingdom
  • Juan Pablo Salazar, Governing Board Member, International Paralympic Committee, Colombia

WORKING ZONE 9B: SPORT & HUMAN RIGHTS

Working Zone Excellence

Mega-sporting events such as the Olympic Games have great potential to inspire and positively impact people’s lives. However, past experience has shown that improper management of such events can have serious, negative impacts on people and communities, generating human rights risks. For example, construction of new sports infrastructure can lead to harassment based on race, religion or gender; unsafe working conditions for labourers; and even forced eviction of the local communities. How can organisers deliver dynamic events without infringing on the rights of marginalised groups? This workshop will bring different stakeholders together to discuss the responsibilities and priorities of sport in safeguarding human rights.

Facilitator: Razia Iqbal, Presenter, BBC News, United Kingdom

  • Marie Barsacq, Director of Impact and Legacy, Paris 2024, France
  • Ingmar De Vos, President, International Federation for Equestrian Sports, Belgium
  • Giovanni Di Cola, Special Adviser to the Deputy Director General for Field Operations and Partnerships, International Labour Organization
  • Mamadou Diagna Ndiaye, IOC Member, Senegal
  • Minky Worden, Director of Global Initiatives, Human Rights Watch, United States

WORKING ZONE 10: EDUCATION & SKILL-BUILDING THROUGH SPORT

Working Zone Friendship

Sport not only provides health benefits to those who practise it, it also provides opportunities to learn and develop many life skills that are useful for young people’s futures. Organisations and individuals around the world are working at the intersection of education and sport to benefit young people and global communities. This workshop will not only explore the power of sport as a tool for enhancing educational outcomes and imparting life skills but will also provide examples of organisations and individuals using this intersection to make a difference.

Facilitator: Mariana Behr, Former Head of Engagement and Education, Rio 2016, Brazil

  • Vita Balsyte, Director of Olympic Education, National Olympic Committee of Lithuania, Lithuania
  • David Blough, Executive Director, PLAY International, France
  • Miki Matheson, Education Committee Member, International Paralympic Committee & Project Manager, Nippon Foundation Paralympic Support Center, Japan
  • Alexander Schischlik, Chief, Youth and Sport Section, UNESCO

WORKING ZONE 11: FAN OF THE FUTURE

Working Zone Respect

Sports are timeless, yet with each generation, innovation and changing social dynamics have altered and enhanced how fans experience them. Today, sports fans no longer just watch and cheer – they analyse, critique and connect with their teams in real time. With widespread technological advances, including in the areas of connectivity, portability, livestreaming, mobile and social video, sports fans are consuming media in different, evolving ways. Fanbases are becoming diverse, more active and more influential, and are demanding better and unique stadium experiences. Are teams, leagues, sponsors and rights-holders ready to adapt to these wide-ranging changes?

Facilitator: Donna de Varona, Olympic Champion, Emmy Award Winning Broadcaster & Member of the IOC Women in Sport Commission, United States

  • David Aufhauser, Managing Director, Intel Sports, United States
  • Jean-Briac (JB) Perrette, President & Chief Executive Officer, Discovery Networks International, United Kingdom
  • Andres Polo, Vice President, Global Innovation Marketing, Visa Inc., United States
  • Dan Reed, Head of Global Sports Partnerships, Facebook, United States
  • Gary Zenkel, President, NBC Olympics and Operations and Strategy, NBC Sports Group, United States

WORKING ZONE 12A: NEW FRONTIERS: ESPORTS

Working Zone Solidarity

Esport is continuing to grow rapidly in popularity, with reports indicating over 400 million people watching by 2019. With the rise of this new generation of athletes, this working zone will explore the daily life of professional esports players to highlight what similarities and differences they have with Olympians. Representatives from both worlds will discuss their training, the importance of physical and mental fitness, and how they prepare for competition, as well as the challenges and opportunities in the life of an elite competitor.

Facilitator: TL Taylor, Internet & Game Studies, Professor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), United States

  • Joshua Begehr, Chief Sport Officer, eSportsReputation GmbH, Germany
  • Jacob “Jake” Lyon, Professional Overwatch Player, United States
  • Nyjah Huston, Professional Skateboarder, United States
  • Sarah Walker, IOC Member & Cycling BMX Olympian, New Zealand
  • YOG athlete (TBD)
  • Esports athlete (TBD)

WORKING ZONE 12B: NEW FRONTIERS: URBANISATION OF SPORTS

Working Zone Solidarity

As the global population becomes more urban, competition for available physical space and facilities has increased. This, coupled with new trends in sports participation, and innovations at the intersections of technologies, fashion, music, art and popular culture, has led to the rise of new sports and the evolution of existing ones: using less space, fewer resources and equipment to practise, and thus broadening opportunities for who can access sport and physical activity. This workshop will explore new sporting trends and innovations, as well as how some mainstream sports have adapted to the urban spaces, and how new sports can be used to attract younger people into the Olympic Movement.

Facilitator: Holly Thorpe, Associate Professor of Sociology of Sport and Physical Culture, University of Waikato, New Zealand

  • Charlotte Durif, Sport Climbing Champion, France
  • Michael Linklater, 6-year 3x3 World Tour Pro & 3x3 Canadian National Team Captain, Canada
  • Logan Martin, BMX Freestyle World Champion, Australia
  • Hiroko Morohashi,Representative Director, United Sports Foundation (NPO), Japan

 

10:30 – 11:00

NETWORKING COFFEE BREAK

Foyer & Marketplace

11:00 – 11:20

YOG 2018: SPOTLIGHT ON BUENOS AIRES

Plenary Hall

In 2013, the IOC selected Buenos Aires – a model cultural city – to be the host of the 2018 Summer Youth Olympic Games: an elite international multi-sports event for the world's best young athletes. Buenos Aires 2018 promises to be unique in many ways. It will mark the first time that a Summer Youth Olympic event is held in South America, as well as the first time that an Olympic event has had an equal number of male and female athletes. How can the Youth Olympic Games be a catalyst for local leaders to engage and benefit young people? How will the event be leveraged to promote culture, education, urban development and more? In this session, the Mayor of Buenos Aires, Horacio Rodríguez Larreta, will reflect on what the Youth Olympic Games mean to the city of Buenos Aires, its citizens, and especially its young people.

In conversation with: Fernanda Russo, Shooter, Silver Medallist at the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games & Young Change-Maker, Argentine Delegation, Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games, Argentina

11:20 – 11:35

SPARK TALK: USING THE POWER OF BASKETBALL TO EDUCATE & EMPOWER YOUTH

Plenary Hall

Grassroots organisations around the world are using sport to make a difference in their respective communities and beyond. Shooting Touch, an international sport-for-development organisation based in the United States and Rwanda, is using the power of basketball to deliver global health education, intervention, and empowerment to at-risk youth, women, and their families.

11:35 – 12:15

WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF SPORT?

Plenary Hall

Advances in technology, coupled with changes in demographics and cultural trends, will significantly transform the world of sport over the next decades. From increased access to sports which were previously cost-prohibitive for many to the rise of thrill-seeking, self-expressive “extreme” or “alternative” sports such as kite surfing and sport climbing, the future will impact all facets of sport – athletes, fans, leagues and federations – and will even give rise to new sports. The future will also redefine and challenge the traditional concept of a “sport” and what it means to be an “athlete”. For instance, can esport be considered a sport? Is the world of traditional sport adequately prepared to adapt to these changes?

Moderator: Adnan Nawaz, News Anchor, TRT World, Turkey

  • John Bonini, Vice President of Client Computing Group, General Manager of Esports and Gaming, Intel, United States
  • Leticia Bufoni, Skateboarding World Champion, Brazil
  • Diamil Faye, President, Jappo Sports & Entertainment, Senegal
  • Susanne Schödel, Secretary-General, FAI World Air Sports Federation, Switzerland 

12:15 – 12:30 

SPARK TALK: JUDO FOR THE WORLD

Plenary Hall

The International Judo Federation (IJF) is a dynamic sports federation dedicated to building a better society through sport. An initiative of the IJF called Judo for the World, which is composed of Judo for Peace, Judo for Children and Judo for Schools, supports populations in conflict areas, post-conflict areas, and regions with social issues through educational and outreach programming. This session will feature the great work that Judo for the World is doing across the globe, from Iran and Turkey to China and Argentina.

Introduction by: Marius Vizer, President, International Judo Federation, Austria

  • Ruben Houkes, Olympic Bronze Medallist & Judo for Children Commission Member, International Judo Federation, Netherlands
  • Nicolas Messner, Director, IJF Media & Judo for Peace, France

 

12:30 – 12:55

JOURNEY FROM REFUGEE TO OLYMPIAN: SPOTLIGHT ON RIO 2016 REFUGEE OLYMPIC TEAM

Plenary Hall

With an unprecedented 67 million people living as refugees across the globe and even more populations in conflict, the world is facing a challenge that must be addressed. Sport can contribute to addressing this issue that has been difficult for institutions and governments to solve. For children and young people uprooted by war or persecution, sport provides an opportunity to be included and protected – a chance to heal, develop and grow. Sport can also be a positive catalyst for empowering refugee communities, strengthening social cohesion and forging closer ties with host communities. In 2016, the IOC created the first team of Refugee Olympic Athletes that participated in the Games as a symbol of hope for refugees worldwide. During this session, two of those 10 athletes will share their personal journeys and the opportunities that sport has provided them with.

Moderator: Jim Bell, President, NBC Olympics Production & Programming, United States

  • Yiech Pur Biel, Track & Field Olympian, Refugee Olympic Team & Board Member, Olympic Refuge Foundation, South Sudan
  • Yusra Mardini, Swimmer, Refugee Olympic Team & Goodwill Ambassador, UNHCR, Syria

 

12:55 – 13:10

SPARK TALK: EDUCATION AND EMPOWERMENT THROUGH SKATEBOARDING

Plenary Hall

Grassroots organisations around the world are using sport to make a difference in their respective communities and beyond. Skateistan, an award-winning, international development initiative based in Afghanistan, Cambodia, and South Africa, is empowering children and youth through skateboarding and education.

13:10 – 13:30

OLYMPIAN TO SOCIALLY CONSCIOUS ENTREPRENEUR: A NEW CAREER PATH?

Plenary Hall

Elite athletes have an outstanding potential to become successful innovators and entrepreneurs. In their sporting careers, they acquire invaluable skills of leadership, persistence, teamwork and a relentless pursuit of excellence that can be leveraged as they transition from active competition. This session will explore the available post-career entrepreneurial opportunities and how the Olympic Movement can empower and support Olympians to become entrepreneurs once they have retired from elite competition. Professor Muhammad Yunus (Nobel Peace Laureate 2006) and an accomplished Olympian will provide insights into what it takes to be an entrepreneur and how Olympians can use the idea of social business to solve society’s greatest problems.

  • Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate 2006 & Founder, Grameen Bank, Bangladesh

In conversation with: Angela Ruggiero, CEO and Co-Founder, Sports Innovation Lab & four-time Olympian in Ice Hockey, United States

13:30 – 13:45

FORUM OUTCOMES & CLOSING REMARKS

Plenary Hall

Special announcements and final remarks by President Thomas Bach will bring the Forum to a close.

13:45 – 14:45

NETWORKING LUNCH

Foyer & Marketplace

An informal, buffet-style lunch will allow participants to connect with one another, build relationships, explore the marketplace, and more.

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