The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has proposed a major overhaul of both the Olympic programme review system and the host election process, with a greater focus on transparency, sustainability, cost control and athlete-centred decision-making.
The reforms, unveiled by IOC President Kirsty Coventry following an Executive Board meeting, form part of the organisation’s “Fit for the Future” initiative. A key proposal is to assess Olympic disciplines rather than sports as a whole, a move the IOC believes will provide a more accurate picture of venue requirements, operational complexity and overall Games costs.
Under the proposed framework, disciplines already included in the Olympic programme and those seeking inclusion would be evaluated through separate pathways. All disciplines would first undergo eligibility screening covering governance, anti-doping compliance, integrity standards and athlete safeguarding before being assessed on factors such as global appeal, cost efficiency and athlete representation. If approved by the IOC Session, the new review process will be introduced for the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane.
The IOC has also proposed changes to the Olympic host election process, including the introduction of a new “Strategic Dialogue” phase between the existing Continuous Dialogue and Targeted Dialogue stages. The additional phase is aimed at improving transparency and allowing the Executive Board to shortlist potential hosts before advancing formal discussions.
According to the IOC, the reforms are intended to help prospective hosts develop projects more cost-effectively, provide governments with greater planning certainty and allow more time to build public support. If ratified by the IOC Session, the proposals would represent one of the most significant governance reforms in the Olympic movement in recent years.
-IANS
