From juan antonio samaranch to jacques rogge: continuity of the strategical approaches to the development of the olympic movement

Introduction

The aim of the study is to find out wether Jacques Rogge elected IOC President on July 16,2001 follows the strategical approaches to the development of the Olympic Movement set by Juan Antonio Samaranch. This paper is a new part of a long-term study of the Olympic Movement (1), activity of Samaranch (2) and first results of Rogge’s Presidency of the IOC (3).

Methods

Analysis of the oficial IOC documents (4), (5) theoretical and other sorces (6), personal contacts and interviews with the two IOC Presidents as well as with other leaders of the Olympic Movement.

Results

Collected facts prove that since 112-th IOC Session in Moscow the IOC has been following the way of reforms set in December of 1999, that unity and stability of the Olympic Movement have been in the centre of attention of the IOC. An attempt to modify the Olympic Program starting from 2004 without previous consultations with the IOC members, IFs and NOCs as well as the change of the IOC Administration organigrama realized by Rogge in 2002-2003 and an intention to modify the Olympic Charter can’t be considered as changes of strategy or principles. The structure of the IOC Commissions and Working groups has been kept. The fight against doping and for defense of athletes health is becoming more and more intensive. The Olympic Games are maintaining their significance (just to recall the list of 9 applicant cities for the Games of 2012). The US TV rights for the Games of 2010 and 2012 have been sold to NBC - exclusive owner of such rights since the Games of 2000 - before the sites of these Games were elected. The TOP Program is progressing. Links between the Olympic Movement and the UN are developping: in November of 2003 the 58-th Session of the UN General Assembly has approved the new "Olympic Truce" resolution for the Games of 2004 and proclaimed 2005 "The International Year of Sport and Physical Education". The Olympic Solidarity concept has remained the same. The policy in favor of culture and education is in place. The Olympic Museum and Olympic Study Centre are benefiting from the traditional attention. No one doubts the necessity to respect environment or to increase women representation in sport governing bodies. All these facts prove that stability have been in the centre of attention of the IOC. They allow to forecast with sure the ways of development of the Olympic Movement in the forthcoming years.

Discussion / Conclusions

The results of the study did not prove speculatios that Jacques Rogge has tried to revise the heritage of Samaranch. They also prove that during the 112-th Session the IOC made the choice in favour of the unity of the Olympic Movement. The study can be used as deductical material in educational process.

References

[1]. Ratner A. (1998) Social and Pedagogical Aspects of the IOC Activity at present time. VNIIFK.
[2]. Ratner A. (2001) The Seventh President. Moscow, Olympic Panorama.
[3]. Ratner A. (2002) Olympic Panorama, 1 (73), 54-60.
[4]. Rogge J. (2001) Olympic Review, XXXVII-40, 3.
[5]. Rogge J. (2003) Olympic Review, 48, 7.
[6]. Samaranch J.A. (2002). Memorias Olimpicas. Barcelona, Editorial Planeta S.A