IOC Concludes Successful 115th Session

Official IOC Press Release
www.olympic.org
04 July 2003

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) today concluded in Prague three days of productive meetings, which began on 2 July with the election of Vancouver, Canada, as the Host City of the XXI Olympic Winter Games in 2010.

The 119 IOC members present in the capital of the Czech Republic were updated on the progress of the preparations of the future Olympic Games: Athens 2004, Turin 2006 and Beijing 2008 and received the reports of the various IOC Commissions and administration.
From the Finance Commission, the Session received a positive report on IOC finances which were recently boosted by the deal with General Electric and US TV network NBC. Reserves have been built in the event of total or partial cancellation of an edition of the Olympic Games, costs have been reduced by 11% and revenues have increased by 4%.

With regards to the Olympic Games Study Commission, members were informed of the 119 measures proposed in order to reduce the size, cost and complexity of the Olympic Games. Earlier in the week, the Executive Board had approved all but two of the proposals plus a timetable aimed at their implementation as soon as the Olympic Games in 2004 and then through to 2012.

The Session then elected one new IOC member, Philip Craven (GBR) President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), one Vice-President, Un Yong Kim (KOR), and two Executive Board members, Gerhard Heiberg (NOR), and Alpha Ibrahim Diallo (GUI).

The IOC also unanimously adopted the World Anti-Doping Code as agreed upon by governments and sports organisations during the World Conference on Doping in Sport held in Copenhagen last March.

Commenting on the work achieved during the Session, President Rogge said: "It has been a very productive Session and I am more than satisfied with its outcome. We experienced a closely contested competition between the three cities bidding for the XXI Olympic Winter Games in 2010. We warmly congratulate Vancouver on its victory and look forward to working with the Organising Committee that will be formed soon. Strong finances, good progress in the area of reducing the size, cost and complexity of the Olympic Games have been reported. I particularly praise the unanimous adoption of the World Anti-Doping Code and welcome the reinstatement of the NOC of Afghanistan together with the recognition of the NOCs of East Timor and Kiribati. We look forward to seeing them taking part in the Olympic Games in Athens next year".