[멕시코, 2036 올림픽 유치경쟁에서 철회하고 청소년올림픽(YOG) 또는 Pan Am게임유치로 선회하다]
2024년 1월이 지나가기 전에 2036년올림픽유치희망 13개 국가들 중 폴란드에 이어 멕시코도 유치철회방향으로 선회하는 모양새인 듯 합니다.
멕시코의 경우 2036년 올림픽유치를 내려 놓고 청소년올림픽 또는 Pan Am게임으로 타깃으로 삼고 있다는 외신 보도입니다.
멕시코관계자에 따르면 이미 IOC와 이와 관련하여 논의를 했는데 멕시코로서는 10여개 국가들과의 유치경쟁이 매우 어려워(the competition is very tought) 보이며 청소년올림픽유치로 선회하는 것이 더 확실한 결과를 가져올 수 있다라는 계산이 섰다고 합니다.
Mexican Olympic Committee (COM) President Mary José Alcalá (centre) and Mexico Secretary of Foreign Affairs Marcelo Ebrard (left) deliver letter of interest to IOC President Thomas Bach at headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland March 24, 2023 (COM/Twitter Photo)(2023년 3월24일 멕시코 NOC위원장인 Mary José Alcalá<사진 가운데>와 멕시코 외무부장관<사진 좌측>이 Thomas Bach IOC위원장에게 2036년 올림픽유치 관심표명서한을 전달한 바 있습니다/출처: 멕시코 NOC website)
멕시코는 2036년 올림픽유치시도를 내려 놓고 주요 종합스포츠이벤트유치로 추구 방향을 재 조정하였다(recalibrated its pursuit to host major multi-sports events dropping a bid to stage the 2036 Olympic Games )고 합니다.
그 대신 멕시코올림픽위원회(COM: Mexican Olympic Committee)위원장인 Maria Jose Alcala는 1월16일(화) 멕시코가 이제는 가까운 장래에 청소년올림픽 또는 Pan Am 게임(Pan American Games)유치를 목표로 설정할 것이라고 언급하였다고 합니다.
Reuters통신 뉴스에 따르면 Alcala 위원장은 이러한 결정이 IOC와 해당 이슈에 대해 논의한 후 내려 진 것이라고 하면서 청소년올림픽이나 Pan Am 게임은 2036년 이전 대회가 될 것이라고 언급하였다고 합니다.
IOC는 논의 중인 2036년올림픽유치희망국가들에 대하여 언급하지 않았지만 독일과 인도는 이미 활발하게 캠페인을 벌이고 있으며 한국, 인도네시아, 카타르, 헝가리, 튀르키예, 이집트 및 영국 등은 모두 공공연하게 대회유치관심을 표멍한 바 있는 것으로 알려지고 있습니다.
1월 초 폴란드는 2036년올림픽유치에 대하여 준비부족을 이유로 뒷걸음질치며 철회 움직임(Poland backtracked on its intentions to bid for the 2036 edition because it was “not ready”)을 보인 바 있습니다
2026년 청소년올림픽은 아프리카 세네갈의 수도 Dakar에서 개최 예정이며 따라서 유치가능차기대회는 2030년 대회까지는 없는 것인데 인도는 2036년 올림픽유치를 위한 디딤돌로써 2030년 청소년올림픽을 유치하겠다는 의도를 밝힌 바(shown interested in bidding for those Games as a stepping stone to prepare for a possible 2036 Olympics) 있다고 합니다.
하지만 IOC는 2030년 청소년올림픽 개최지 결정에 대한 시간표를 정하지 않고 있는(has no set timetable for the awarding of the 2030 Youth Olympics) 상태입니다.
멕시코의 경우 콜롬비아가 대회 재정 의무조항을 지키지 못한 후(after it missed a financial milestone) Barranquilla2027 Pan Am게임 개최권을 박탈당함에 따라 대체개최국물색에 나서면서 추가적인 기회가 열린 셈인 바 대회를 주관하는 Pan Am 스포츠 기구(PASO: Pan American Sports Organization)는 해당대회유치에 대한 재 유치를 위한 경쟁의 문을 열었으며 2019년 대회개최지인 페루의 Lima와 파라과이의 수도 Asunción이 관심을 표명하고 있는 상황입니다.
Alcala COM 위원장은 “멕시코에서는 Nuevo Leon만이 유일한 Pan Am 대회유치를 위하여 접촉해 왔으며 아직 논의 중임”(There is an approach from Nuevo Leon [Mexico], they are the only ones who have approached us. That is still under discussion)이라고 밝혔다고 합니다.
뒤늦게 콜롬비아의 Barranquilla는 납부마감기일이 경과한 시점에서 마케팅 지불 금인 USS$ 8백만 불(약10.4억원)을 즉각적으로 지불함으로 대회를 다시 가져오겠다고 노력 중(trying to win those Games back by offering an immediate payment of the USD $8 Million marketing fees that are now overdue)이라고 합니다.
PASO는 2월 중 이러한 이슈에 대한 논의와 결정을 위하여 임시총회를 계획하고(PASO has scheduled an extraordinary congress in February to determine next steps)있다고 합니다.
멕시코는 2026년 FIFA월드컵축대회를 미국 및 캐나다와 공동으로 개최하기 위하여 준비 중이며 현재 2027년 FIFA여자월드컵축구대회를 미국과 공동 유치 하려는 계획으로 미국 측과 협이 중(that is still under discussion)이라고 Alcala COM위원장은 언급하였다고 합니다.
[WADA(세계도핑방지기구), 아시아 및 오세아니아 사무소장으로 일본의 Dr. Mayumi YaYa Yamamoto를 임명하다]
1월19일 세계도핑방지기구(WADA)는 일본 출신 Dr. Mayumi YaYa Yamamoto를 아시아/오세아니아 사무소장으로 임명하였다고 합니다. 그녀는 2024년 3월1일부로 취임합니다.
(Dr. Mayumi YaYa Yamamoto/출처: WADA website)
Dr. Mayumi YaYa YamamotoWADA 어시아/오세아니아사무소장은 3월1일부터 근무를 시작하면 사무소는 일본 도쿄에 둔다고 합니다.
WADA를 위해 20년간 봉직한 Yamamoto소장은 2023년 12월31일부로 은퇴한 전임 소장인 Mr Kazuhiro (Kazu) Hayashi의 후임으로 알려져 있으며 그는 재임 20년 간 WADA의 아시아/오세아니아에서 WADA의 존재감을 부각시켰으며 또한 아시아-오세아니아 및 세계적으로도 도핑방지노력을 통한 영향력을 발휘함으로(a significant and lasting impact on anti-doping efforts in the region and globally) 괄목할 만하고 지속적인 활동에 매진한 바 있다고 WADA는 그의 활액에 대해 칭송하였다고 합니다.
2012년 이래로 Dr. Yamamoto신임 소장은 도핑방지교육을 이끌어 왔으며 일본도핑방지기구(JADA)의 “PLAY TRUE 2020, Sport for Tomorrow”프로젝트를 선도해 왔다고 합니다.
이러한 그녀의 역할 가운데 그녀는 아시아/오세아니아 지역 스포츠조직들을 비롯하여 각국정부 및 도핑방지기구들과의 다양한 협업을 통해 맡은 바 책무를 성공적으로 일구어 왔으며 글로벌 도핑방지공동체의 다양한 이해당사자들과도 깨끗한 스포츠(clean sport)를 실현시키기 위한 홍보 활동에도 매진하여 왔다고 합니다.
올 3월1일부터 개시되는 그녀의 WADA 아시아/오세아니아 지역 사무소장이라는 새로운 역할을 통하여 Dr. Yamamoto는 아시아/오세아니아 지역에서 WADA =의 이해당사자들을 포용하는 중요한 역할을 수행할 것이라고 합니다.
남아공 Cape Town에 위치한 (1)아프리카 지역 WADA사무소와 스위스 Lausanne에 위치한 (2)유럽지역 WADA 사무소와 우루과이 Montevideo에 위치한 (3)미주대륙 담당 사무소 및 (4)아시아/오세아니아 지역 사무소(일본 도쿄 소재)들의 우선과제들은 WADA의 전략적 우선과제들과 일맥상통하도록 유지되고(guided by the Agency's strategic priorities) 있다고 합니다.
특히, 대륙 별 지역 사무소들은 해당공공기관당국자들, 지역 스포츠기구들과 연락하여 소통하며, 각 대륙의 이해당사들에 대한 지원을 통하여 도핑 방지 프로그램을 가동하여 발전시키고, WADA법령에 상응하도록 함으로 훈련을 지원하고 교육프로그램 실행에 협조하며 WADA에 대한 각 지역에서의 재정 기여금 수집을 용이하게 하도록 협업9 complying with the World Anti-Doping Code, support training, cooperate in the implementation of education programmes, and facilitate the collection of WADA's financial contributions in each region )하도록 되어 있다고 합니다.
올해 3월1일부터 개시되는 Dr. Yamamoto신임 소장의 임명에 대하여 Olivier Niggli WADA사무총장은 “ Dr. Mayumi YaYa Yamamoto는 스포츠와 도핑 방지에 대하여 광범위한 경험의 소유자이며 그녀는 2009년 시작된 WADA표준 및 조화 협력 팀과 그 분야의 경력을 시작한 바 있음”("Dr. Mayumi YaYa Yamamoto has extensive experience in sport and anti-doping, having started her career in the field with WADA's Standards and Harmonisation team in 2009)이라고 언급하면서 Niggli사무총장은 그녀에 대한 신뢰감을 표명하였으며 그녀가 전임자인 Mr. Kazuhiro (Kazu) Hayashi의 뒤를 이어 뛰어난 유산을 지속적으로 계승 발전 시킬 것이라고 덧붙였다고 합니다.
Dr Yamamoto 는 국제관계 학사학위 및 스포츠사회학 석사학위에 이어(following a Bachelor's degree in International Relations and a Master's degree in Sociology of Sport) 2009년에 영국 Loughborough대학교 스포츠비즈니스 연구원으로부터 스포츠 장책 및 매니지먼트 철학 및 스포츠 정책 철학 박사학위를(her PhD in Philosophy of Sport Policy in Philosophy in Sports Policy and Management from the Institute for Sport Business at Loughborough University in the UK in 2009) 받았다고 합니다
그녀는 야구선수출신(a former competitive basketball player)이며 지금은 가족 및 친구들과 함께 레크리에이션 농구를 즐기고(now enjoys playing recreational basketball with friends and family) 있다고 합니다
어제(1월21일) 튀르키예 IOC위원 겸 SportAccord신임회장 겸 세계 양궁(World Archery)회장 겸 WADA집행위원과의 오전 개별 미팅 차 강릉에 경포대에 위치한 IOC본부호텔로 지정된 SkayBay호텔을 방문하였으며 IOC본부호텔로비에서 많은 IOC위원들과 오랜 만의 해후를 겸한 이야기 꽃을 피우며 함께 나누는 시간을 갖기도 하였습니다.
너무 반가운 나머지 기념사진촬영하는 것도 깜빡했습니다. 그래도 올림픽 친구들을 오랜 만에 만나서 너무 반가웠습니다.
김재열 신임 IOC위원 및 국제빙상경기연맹(ISU)회장을 비롯하여 그와 커피숍에서 담소하고 나오던 오스트리아 NOC위원장 겸 IOC위원 겸 동계올림픽 미래유치위원회(FHC)위원장인 Karl Stoss와 첫 대면도 이루어졌습니다.
Bach IOC위원장은 아쉽게도 이번에는 만나지 못하였습니다. 다음 번을 기약하면서…
(Ugur Erdener 튀르케얘 IOC위원 겸 신임 SportAccord회장 겸 세계양궁(World Archery)회장 겸 WADA집행위원과 스위스 Lausanne 개최 IOC집행위원회 Coffee Break시간에 함께 담소하는 중/뒤쪽에서 걸어오고 있는 Thomas Bach IOC위원장이 보입니다)
[폴란드신임체육장관, 폴란드의 2036년올림픽유치 주춤하다(Poland backtracks on 2036 Olympic bid)라고 언급하다]
폴란드 Slawomir Nitras 신임 체육부장관은 2024년 1월5일, 폴란드는 2036년 올림픽 및 패럴림픽 유치를 진행할 준비가 되어 있지 않다(his nation is not ready to launch a bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2036)고 강조하였다고 합니다.
(Left to right) Poland’s former Minister of Sport and Tourism Kamil Bortniczuk, President of the Polish Olympic Committee Radosław Piesiewicz and President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda September 27, 2023 (Photo: POC)(좌로부터: 폴란드 전임 체육장관 Kamil Bortniczuk, 폴란드NOC위원장 Radosław Piesiewicz 및 폴란드 대통령 Andrzej Duda/2023년 9월27일/출처: 폴란드 NOC)
2023년 Duda 폴란드 대통령의 2036년 올림픽유치 캠페인이 임박했다는 지난 9월 선언을 Nitras신임 체육장관이 폴란드 라디오 방송 인터뷰에서 한 걸음 물러 나는 어조의 발언을 했다고 합니다.
폴란드 뉴스 통신사에 따르면 그는 “유치를 하려면 다른 나라들과의 경쟁에 참여해야 할 필요가 있는데 폴란드는 준비가 되어 있지 않고 있음”(It would be necessary to make a bid and participate in a competition with other countries)이라고 발언하였다고 합니다.
2023년 10월15일 열린 폴란드 의회선거에 앞서 Duda 대통령은 폴란드 올림픽위원회, 체육관광부 및 정부가 함께 협의 한후 2036년 올림픽개최 노력을 시작하고자 하는 것이 우리의 야심이며 의도임을 이야기 하고 싶음”(After consultations with the Polish Olympic Committee (POC), the Ministry of Sport and Tourism and the government, I would like to say that it is our ambition and intention to start efforts to hold the Summer Olympic Games in our country in 2036)이라고 언급한 바 있다고 합니다.
그러면서 그는 2023년 10월6일 Bach IOC위원장과의 회동 중 바르샤바를 중심으로 대회를 개최하고자 하는 계획을 설명하면서 서한도 전달하였는데 이는 폴란드 Krakow 및 Malopolska에서 성공적으로 개최된 2023년유럽게임에 힘 입어 나온 발상이었다고 합니다.
Nitras 신임 폴란드체육장광은 대회유치계획을 지지한다고 하면서 “대통령의 성명서와는 동 떨어지게 전 정부는 이러한 방향으로 어떠한 조치도 취한 바 없음” (apart from the statement made by the president, the previous government had taken no steps in this direction.)이라며 주의를 환기시켰다고 합니다.
2023년 12월13일 부로 신임 폴란드 체육부장관에 취임한 Nitras의 이러한 발언은 전임 장관인 Kamil Bortniczuk을 염두에 둔 발로 해석된다고 합니다.
2019년부터 IOC가 도입한 새로운 규칙에 따르면 과거 관행이었던 대회개최 7년전에 올림픽개최지를 선출하지 않고 있으며 Brisbane2032의 경우 대회개최 11년 전인 2021년에 결정하였으며 2030년(French Alps) 및 2034년(Salt Lake City) 동계올림픽 개최지를 대략 10년 전인 금년 7월 IOC총회에서 선출할 예정입니다.
2023년 Bach IOC위원장은 2036년 올림픽개최지 결정은 자신의 12년 임기가 종료되는 2025년 이후 후임 IOC위원장이 결정하도록 하겠다고 의도를 언급한(he intends to leave the 2036 decision to his successor after his term ends in 2025) 바 있으며 그는 논의 중인 2036년올림픽 유치후보도시 수가 2자리 수(double digit)라고도 언급하였다고 합니다.
IOC는 그러한 관련 유치희망도시들과의 논의 내용을 대외비로 취급하고 있지만 폴란드를 차치하고라도 10개 지역이 손 꼽히는데 (1)한국, (2)인도네시아, (3)인도, (4)독일, (5)카타르, (6)헝가리. (7)튀르키예, (8)이집트, (9)멕시코, (10)영국 등이 거론되고 있다고 합니다.
폴란드는 지금껏 올림픽개최가 전무하지만 두 번의 동계올림픽유치를 시도하였다고 실패한 바 있는데 Zakopane2006 은 결선진출에 실패하였으며 Krakow 2022는 주민투표로 뒤짚어져 유치를 철회한 바 있습니다.
또한 폴란드의 Poznan2014는 청소년올림픽유치경쟁에서 중국의 Nanjing에게 개최도시 자리를 내 준 바 있습니다.
[The 9th IOC President Dr. Thomas Bach’s 10-Year Long Leadership (so far) & Contribution together with Highlights of his Famous Analects and Speeches (2013-2023)]
아래 글은 Thomas Bach 제9대 IOC위원장(2013~2025)의 10년 간의 리더십 공헌과 기여 발자취와 더불어 그분이 창출해 낸 그분 만의 둑특한 어휘와 어록 그분의 탁월한 스포츠외교력의 발판이된 여러가지 케이스를 특집 형태로 종합 편집하여 Thomas Bach IOC위원장 본인에게 보낸 내용입니다.
그분은 평창2018동계올림픽 및 패럴림픽의 안전하고 성공적인 개최를 위하여 남북한을 오가는 셔틀 외교를 통하여 북한의 참가와 남북한 서울-평양 2032올림픽 공동유치의 근간을 마련해 주기 위해 애쓰신 세계스포츠대통령입니다.
IOC나 대한체육회(KSOC)에 아무런 직위도 없는 필자에게 IOC집행위원회 결정을 통해 2022년 10월 21일 ANOC서울총회 말미에 필자의 40년 간 올림픽운동에서의 헌신과 섬김을 인정하여 스포츠부문 Nobel Prize로 불리기도 하는 IOC쿠베르탱 메달을 공식 행사를 통해 한국인 중 최초로 직접 전수해 주신 고마운 그분의 10년간의 업적을 기리기 위해 아래 글을 그분에게 헌정하였습니다.
물론 그의 IOC위원장 임기는 현재로서는 2025년까지이지만 지난 10월 인도 Mumbai개최 IOC총회에서 몇 몇 IOC위원들이 Bach IOC위원장 임기를 정식으로 제안하였기 때문에 내년 Paris2024올림픽 개최식 전에 열리는 IOC총회에서 정식 안건으로 상정될 경우 최소 4년 임기가 연장될 개연성도 상존하고 있는 상황입니다.
"The 9th IOC President Thomas Bach is often characterized by his simple but long-lasting magic words penetrating and appealing to the global sport people, especially in the Olympic Movement.
Even myself have continuously been intrigued and touched by his pithyepigramthatstingsthe people to the quick even into our heart and memory.
As for me personally, the most universal and touching word is “Unity in Diversity”, followed by many others, including but not limited to “There is no one-size-fits-all solution”, “without losing political neutrality”, “Olympic legacy for sustainability, flexibility, practicality, good governance, gender equality, “Unifying Power of sport and Olympics to bring together people”, exquisitely melted in his brain child masterpiece, “Olympic Agenda 2020+5”, which is a “Strategic Roadmap of the Future Olympic Movement” and updated Olympic motto of “Faster, Higher, Strong, Together” in the IOC’s 130-year long history as of 23 June 2024 since its creation in 1894.
Dr. Thomas Bach as unprecedented performing designer and strategist of the destiny of the future Olympic Movement, more importantly for me, is one of my three most respected IOC Presidents along with the 2nd IOC President Baron Pierre de Coubertin, IOC Founder and Renovator of the modern Olympic Games and I was also awarded the IOC Pierre de Coubertin Medal in October 2022 and the 7th IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch who saved the Olympic Movement from several attempts of Olympic boycott, especially Seoul 1988 Games.
My very first personal gift for him was a 4-line poem presented at the time his visit to Gangneung City for his honorary citizenship in mid-March 2018, during which he named it as an “Olympic City”, actually Ice sports venue city of the PyeongChang2018 Winter Games.
The second and third versions of my 4-line poems dedicated to him were also presented in honor of and with my highest respect to his century-long global contribution to the successful organization of the PyeongChang2018 Winter Olympic Games, which is still remembered as “Peace Olympics” thanks to his unique and unprecedented diplomatic skills and leadership between two Koreas through the Olympic bridges. No one will dispute the fact that he well-deserves the Nobel Peace Prize recipient at an appropriate timing in the very near future, I believe."
(IOC President’s First Gift for me after Signing Ceremony of MOU Between Olympic Museum and Gangneung Olympic Musuem, Lausanne/April 2018)
1.IOC President’s Key-Handover Ceremony from the late Jacques Rogge, the 8the IOC President
1)“Many thanks for this symbolic act of handing over the key, which is now a traditional part of IOC history. We both know very well that this handover includes the challenge of taking on the huge demands and responsibility of this office.”
2)“You(Rogge) have left the Olympic Movement a solid foundation and you have every reason to be proud of your great achievement, which has benefited sport worldwide. Here, this evening, we would like to express to you our gratitude, recognition and respect.”
2.From his Acceptance Speech of the Election of the 9th IOC President in the 125th IOC Session in Buenos Aires on 10 September 2013
1)“First of all, I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart all my dear friends and colleagues who voted for me this morning.
2)This is really an overwhelming sign of trust and confidence.
3)But I would also like to thank my fellow candidates, who I greatly respect, and all those who did not vote for me this time.
4)I will also work for and with you in the coming years and want to win your confidence, too.”
5)“I know about the great responsibility of an IOC President."
6)“This makes me humble.
7)“I want to lead the IOC according to my motto”: ‘Unity in Diversity.’
8)“I want to be a President for all of you.”
9)“This means I will do my very best to balance well all the different interests of the stakeholders of the Olympic Movement.”
10)“This is why I want to listen to you and to enter into an ongoing dialogue with all of you.”
11)“You should know that my door, my ears, and my heart are always open for you.”
(Bach’s manifesto states he wants to keep the Olympic Games “unique” and not “diluted by other events,” while ensuring the awarding of the Games is based on “the interest of the IOC in an in-depth review and risk analysis of a bid on the one hand, and the interest of a potential bidder in a social and promotional return on investment in the other.”)
3.At his term as President of the IOC has passed its 10-year anniversary,we can now recognize“Thomas Bach’s Ten Commandments”for the Olympic Movement (Ref.: The Sports Examiner)
1)Bidding for Olympic Games should not create losers, who waste millions for absolutely no return.
(The IOC now selects its hosts through a mostly-private discussion process.)
2)An Olympic Games must conform to the city, region or country where it is held, and not require unnecessary expenditures.
3)It is considered best if no new venues or permanent constructions are undertaken for a Games, unless as part of an otherwise useful local development plan.
4)Sport must go to where the people are, not require people to come to it.
(This was successfully demonstrated at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires at the free, open-air opening ceremony at the iconic Obelisk, and transferred to Paris 2024 with its opening on the Seine.)
5)Sport must appeal to youth, or in Olympic-speak, “be more urban” and “youth-oriented.”
(Thus the inclusion to the permanent program of skateboarding, sport climbing and surfing from 2028 and the IOC moving toward its own “e-sport Olympics.)
6)Sport governance through the “solidarity model,” in which money is distributed through National Olympic Committees for development projects and athlete support, rather than simply paying athletes directly through prize money.
7)Strict requirements for gender equality in terms of the number of men’s and women’s athletes competing, which will be reached at Paris 2024.
8)Strenuous anti-doping measures, preferably handled by an independent agency; the IOC created the International testing Agency in 2018, which has quickly absorbed most of the anti-doping programming for Olympic-sport federations.
9)Athletes are not responsible for the actions of their government, so long as they are not affiliated with their government.
10)The IOC should respect, follow and implement the directives and regulations of the United Nations.
4.My Personal & Thankful Communications Opportunities with IOC President Thomas Bach for a SDGs-Oriented Olympic Movement in the Future
(IOC Pierre de Coubertin Medal Presentation to Rocky YOON by IOC President Thomas Bach 21 October 2022, Seoul)
5.Presentation of the Pierre de Coubertin Medal to Rocky Yoon Kang-Ro by IOC President Thomas Bach /Seoul, October 2022
“It is with great pleasure to inform you that the IOC Executive Board, which met today, has decided to award you the Pierre de Coubertin Medal for blending culture and sport in such a unique way in your publishing” (Letter by IOC President Thomas Bach about the decision by IOC Executive Board dated 9 September)
Dear friends,
For our founder, Pierre de Coubertin, theOlympic Games were always much more than just a sporting event. He wanted to make the world a better place through sport and its values. This remains the overarching mission of the IOC and the entire Olympic Movement to this day.
Dear Rocky,
Having known you for such a long time, I can say from personal observation that during all these many years, your commitment to the Olympic Movement has always been a reflection of this vision of our founder.
Making the world a better and more peaceful place through sport has always been your guiding principle throughout your illustrious career.
At the Korean Olympic Committee, as the Korean Sport and Olympic Committee was formerly known, you were deeply involved in the successful organisation of the Olympic Games Seoul 1988. These Games left a remarkable sporting legacy to the people of Seoul and the Republic of Korea.
My personal connection to Seoul and Korea also began during these Games. At the time, I was the athletes' representative on the Games' steering committee. Ever since then, Seoul and its people have a very special place in my heart.
After the closing of the Olympic Games Seoul 1988, promoting the legacy of these Games has been the guiding theme of your career. As Standing Advisor to the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation, you have taken part in long-term projects including the Seoul Olympic Legacy Forum, which is taking place this week right here in Seoul.
You spent more than two decades as an official delegate for the NOC of the Republic of Korea, serving the development of sport and spreading the Olympic values throughout the country. During this time, your outstanding dedication to the athletes is reflected in the fact that you were a leading member of the South Korean delegation for an incredible ten editions of the Olympic Games.
Over the years, you have always shown a desire to share and pass on your extensive Olympic experience. Most recently you did so by providing guidance and counsel to the Organising Committee of the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018 in your capacity as senior advisor to the OCOG President.I am very grateful to say that the IOC, through its Evaluation Commission for the Olympic Games Beijing 2008, has also benefited your deep expertise.
Your belief in the power of sport has also guided you in your current role as President of the International Sport Diplomacy Institute. In this capacity, you are continuing to keep the legacy of Seoul 1988 alive, in particular through your active engagement with young people. With your lectures at renowned universities, you are inspiring the new generation with our shared Olympic values.
Perhaps nothing illustrates your passion for sport better than the creation of the Pyeongsan Sports Museum close to your home town, where thousands of Olympic artifacts and memorabilia are on display, many from your private collection.
Having just recently published the book “True Record and Stories of Korea Sports Diplomacy” you show no signs of slowing down. On the contrary, your unwavering commitment and enthusiasm for the Olympic Games continues to reach new heights. This is why today, we salute and honour your unique contribution and deep-rooted attachment to the Olympic values.
Dear Mr. Yoon Kang-Ro, dear Rocky,
In recognition of your outstanding achievements in supporting the cause of world sport and your faithfulness to the Olympic ideal as illustrated by Pierre de Coubertin, reviver of the Olympic Games, it is an honour and pleasure to present you with the Pierre de Coubertin Medal.
*Rocky YOON’s Thank-you Note to IOC President Thomas Bach at the IOC Pierre de Coubertin Medal Awarding Ceremony (Seoul, 21 Oct. 2023)
Honorable IOC President, Dr. Thomas Bach,
Distinguished guests who are present here today to attend the Awarding Ceremony of this prestigious Baron Pierre de Coubertin Medal out of busy schedule.
Very good morning!
First and foremost, I am deeply touched and grateful to IOC President Thomas Bach who is sharing this space with us at this present time and made this possible at the IOC EB held on 9 September for his generous and insightful decision and consideration to award to me the Coubertin Medal.
When I receive his letter, I couldn’t believe my eyes, but soon I realize that this is really happening to me.
I am very much excited, tremendously honored, incredibly privileged, and enormously and immeasurably pleased not only to become a recipient of this medal but also to receive it at first hand from IOC President Thomas Bach who has come a long way for this ceremony as well, on the auspicious occasion of the first Seoul Olympic Legacy Forum as a key-note speaker, which ended yesterday.
This medal is so important in giving me a sense of encouragement and motivation and inspiration to move forward together to build a better society concerned with the preservation of human dignity during the rest of my life.
Blending sport with culture and education, Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy, found in efforts and educational value of good example based on the universal, fundamental and ethical principles.
No one will dispute the fact that IOC President Thomas Bach is by far the greatest global leader in the 21st century Olympic Movement with vision, wisdom, ability and inspiration to upgrade and re-design the modern Olympic Movement with his brain child masterpiece, Olympic Agenda 2020+5, ensuring and realizing transparency, sustainability, good governance, cost-effectiveness, best possible efficiency of the Olympic Games as well as equal and balanced opportunities in a spirit of the Olympic values of Excellence, Friendship and Respect.
Coubertin was a pioneer and forefather with a crystal clear vision for the initial Olympic Movement above and beyond time and space toward universality and sportsmanship with values of Olympic motto of Faster, Higher, Stronger, and recently strengthened with one simple but very meaningful and unifying word “Together” by IOC President Thomas Bach. Baron Pierre de Coubertin devised and designed Best Optimized Olympic Concept and vision suggesting to revitalize human values from teenagers, youth to produce a better and more peaceful world through sport.
In full alignment of the vision of Baron Pierre de Coubertin and the Olympic Agenda 2020+5, President Bach’s vision is well reflected and echoed in his connotative and implicative words of “Unity in Diversity”, Unifying Power of Sport and Olympics to bring together people, cultures, ideas, and lifestyles over Five Rings around the world. I would like to define it as a new revolution of the modern Olympic Movement in order to discharge prejudice and discrimination of any kind.
On each and every occasion of his speech, IOC President Thomas Bach impressed the world with his own expressions, such as “There is no one-size-fit-all solution”, “This world is run by politics and not by sports organizations” as a reason why sport stay on neutrality, to say the least.
In order to eliminate mal practices, danger and risk factors of the past Olympic Host City selection process, he reformed it and created the new age Olympic Host selection system by creating “FHC” system, thereby enabling IOC to choose best optimized Olympic Host Cities “whenever timing is right”. I think he must be an Olympic genius and here of heroes in the 21st century Olympic Movement.
During the 128 years of the Olympic Movement, in my judgment, I can say there have been three most outstanding and greatest IOC Presidents, Firstly, Baron Pierre de Coubertin who served 21 years. Secondly, Juan Antonio Samaranch who also served 21 years. Thirdly and most importantly for the vast majority of the global stakeholders, I believe, the current IOC President Thomas Bach who has served 9 years so far and will serve only 3 more years, but I believe his term should be extended likewise in accordance with his achievements and role to play in order to overcome on-going and rapidly approaching crisis facing the global Olympic Movement including but not limited to pandemics.
Once again, I would like to reiterate my profound gratitude to IOC President Thomas Bach for his generous and insightful decision awarding this prestigious Pierre de Coubertin Medal to me in person. Thank you for your attention. And may God bless you and the Olympic Movement.
6.Quotations (76) from IOC President Thomas Bach’s Speech at the 130th Extraordinary IOC Session in Lausanne on 11 July 2017
“Charge boldly through the clouds and do not be afraid. The future belongs to you.”
“Let us show that sport is also always about ambition and optimism
“Let us not rest on our current position of strength.”
“Let us make sure that we can enjoy such stability also in the years to come”
1)“A warm welcome to all of you to this extraordinary IOC Session.”
2) “It is an extraordinary meeting because we are at an important juncture for the Olympic Movement.”
3) “Our discussions and decisions today will chart the course of the Olympic Games for the foreseeable future.”
4) “We will be discussing two separate but related decisions.”
5) “Both will affect the future of the Olympic Games in profound ways.”
6) “In this respect, now is a moment to shape the future of our Movement. “
7) “This is why I am looking forward to an interesting debate today.”
8) “We can have this discussion from a position of strength and stability.”
9) “You will see this when the audited accounts will be presented and we can hopefully approve the financial figures.”
10) “This gives us the opportunity to once more look at our governance structures.”
11) “The financial figures are not only audited by our external auditors, but they are also always closely monitored by our Audit Committee and our Internal Auditor.”
12) “Let me thank the members of our Audit Committee under the great leadership of its Chair, Pierre-Olivier Beckers-Vieujant, for their hard work and good advice they are giving us on this matter throughout the year.”
13) “This Audit Committee is of course further supported by the Finance Commission who again monitor the financial flows and operations of the IOC.”
14) “Let me also acknowledge and thank all its members and its Chair, Ser Miang Ng, for their valuable contribution.”
15) “The financial figures take into account the record amount that we have distributed to Rio 2016. ”
16) “We have made a tremendous effort, together with the IFs and NOCs, with additional financial contributions and savings at the same time, to make the first Olympic Games in South America a reality, despite all the unprecedented challenges of our Brazilian friends.”
17) “As you approve the audited accounts, I hope you take all this into consideration.”
18) “Following the approval, we can then proceed to publish the Annual Report.”
19) “As always, the Annual Report will provide an in-depth account of our activities, making all the IOC’s financial flows fully transparent and demonstrating that we are distributing 90 per cent of all our revenues for the development of sport worldwide.”
20) “This very high percentage of redistribution to support world sport is something that we can be very proud of.”
21) “Our strong and stable financial situation allows us to focus almost all our energy on the overarching mission of the IOC, to make the world a better place through sport.”
22) “This is the solid foundation that we can build on for our future.”
23) “This strong position of the Olympic Movement is also demonstrated by a great opportunity that we will discuss today.”
24) “This is about awarding the Olympic Games 2024 and 2028 at the same time in Lima this September.”
25) “As you have seen and heard this morning, and as confirmed by the report of our Evaluation Commission, we have two outstanding candidatures for 2024.”
26) “With Los Angeles and Paris, there are two fantastic cities from countries with a profound Olympic history.”
27) “The two candidate cities are enthusiastic and dynamic.”
28) “They are promoting the Olympic Games and the Olympic spirit in a great way.”
29) “The Candidate Cities for the Olympic Games 2024 are the first to fully benefit from the significant changes that resulted from Olympic Agenda 2020.”
30) “The Evaluation Commission has come back with praise for both candidatures.”
31) “Both cities have really embraced Olympic Agenda 2020, in particular by using a record number of existing and temporary facilities.”
32) “This is something we have not seen in this dimension in the history of the Olympic Games.”
33) “Such proposals lead to significant cost reductions in the organization of the Olympic Games.”
34) “This sets a precedent to make the Games more sustainable and more feasible for the future.”
35) “It is exactly this spirit of Olympic Agenda 2020 that we are promoting.”
36) “As you can see, this is a golden opportunity.”
37) “It is hard to imagine something better.”
38) “This is why the Executive Board asked the IOC Vice-Presidents to study how the Olympic Movement could make the most of this unique constellation.”
39) “The Executive Board is unanimously supporting their recommendation not to miss this golden opportunity.”
40) “The Vice-Presidents will give you even more reasons why this double allocation should happen and how we can make it happen.”
41) “We can create a win-win-win situation for the entire Olympic Movement, for Los Angeles and the United States of America, and for Paris and France.”
42) “While the allocation the Olympic Games 2024 and 2028 at the same time is about seizing an opportunity, the next decision is about addressing a challenge.”
43) “This decision is about reforming our current candidature procedure with a view to the Olympic Winter Games 2026.”
44) “The challenges that we face here are both external and internal.”
45) “Firstly, there is a profound change in the decision-making process in many Western countries.”
46) “In the past, when we saw that a candidature enjoyed the support of the government, of the opposition, of business and of the sport community, then we were sure that the candidature had broad public support.”
47) “This has changed dramatically, inparticular in Europe.”
48) “Today, when people see that the government, the opposition, business and the sport community, in other words, when the entire establishment is united behind one project, then the people immediately have mistrust and conclude that something must be terribly wrong.”
49) “In many countries, populist movements are on the rise.”
50) “As we have seen in the recent past, these populist movements can be very effective, even if they might still be too small to run a government.”
51) “But they have a strong influence over policy and political decision making.”
52) “The New York Times described this quite well recently when they wrote:
53)“Western populism may be entering something like its awkward teenage years – able to borrow the car but not own it, have an influence on the household but too young to run it.”
54) “We may not like this new political reality, but we cannot ignore it. “
55) “This is the external challenge.”
56) “But we have to acknowledge that internally, with our candidature procedure, we have given some arguments to this public scepticism and mistrust.”
57) “In a nutshell, the candidature procedure, which worked very well in the past, has become too expensive and too onerous for some potential candidate cities today.”
58) “We have been asking too much too soon from the candidate cities.”
59) “For all these reasons, it is extremely difficult for sport and government authorities in many countries today to come back with a second candidature, when a first one was not successful.”
60) “In particular, this is limiting the number of potential candidates for Olympic Winter Games, where for geographic reasons, but increasingly also because of climate change, we had and continue to have a much smaller number of potential candidate cities.”
61) “Because of the fact that the Olympic Winter Games 2014, 2018 and 2022 are all held in completely new winter sport destinations, there is a public perception that this trend will continue.”
62) “It is therefore in our best interest to demonstrate that traditional winter sport destinations in the Americas, Europe or Asia are most welcome as Olympic hosts.”
63) “The world is changing at an ever-faster pace.”
64) “It has changed in profound ways even in the time since we passed Olympic Agenda 2020.”
65) “It has changed in profound ways even in the last few months, even in the last weeks and days.”
66) “We need to continue to address this change.”
67) “The Vice-Presidents will share the details of the proposal, unanimously supported by the Executive Board, for a new approach for the Olympic Winter Games 2026.”
68) “As you can see, these two decisions before us will have far-reaching implications for the future of the Olympic Games.”
69) “One is an opportunity, the other one a challenge.”
70) “Both are an occasion to remind ourselves of our founder, Pierre de Coubertin who once said:
71)“Charge boldly through the clouds and do not be afraid. The future belongs to you.”
72) “Let us take courage from his words.”
73) “Let us show that sport is also always about ambition and optimism.”
74) “Let us not rest on our current position of strength.”
75) “Let us make sure that we can enjoy such stability also in the years to come.”
76) “In this spirit of ambition and optimism, I wish us all fruitful discussions and a successful Extraordinary Session.”
7.IOC President Thomas Bach’s Secret of the Success of the PyeongChang2018 Winter Games
(IOC President Thomas Bach and his Awarding of Seoul Peace Prize 2021)
1)“The secret of PyeongChang2018’s success in encouraging North Korean participation was due to political neutrality.”
2)“It would be “naïve" and "unrealistic" to believe the Olympic Games can ignore wider political developments.”
3)“It would only be possible to be able to this while remaining strictly neural.”
4)“This world is run by politics and not by sports organizations.”
5)“Therefore, to preserve the autonomy, we have to have a partnership and mutual respect.”
6)“On the one hand, our respect for the priorities of politics, and on the other hand, their respect of the politics for the autonomy of the IOC, making them aware that we can only accomplish our mission if we have this autonomy, if we are politically strictly neutral.”
7)“And what this means, you can see from the Korean issues.”
8)“If we would not have been strictly politically neutral, we could never have achieved the joint march behind the one flag nor the joint women's ice hockey team.”
8.IOC President Bach’s writing to Olympic Movement: Olympism and Corona (29 April 2020)
OLYMPISM AND CORONA
With the global COVID-19 pandemic, we are all living in much uncertainty. At this point in time, this uncertainty is far from subsiding. We are all only beginning to understand the far-reaching consequences of the coronavirus crisis around the world. What is certain, however, is that this pandemic has affected and will affect all areas of society, including all of us in the world of sport, significantly. The global spread of the virus has meant that the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 have had to be postponed to 2021, a historic decision that was taken in order to safeguard the health of the athletes and the hundreds of thousands of people involved in the Games. In this respect, please accept my sincere thanks and appreciation to each and every one of you for your strong support of the decision by the IOC Executive Board to postpone the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, which we took together with our Japanese partners and friends. Given the difficult circumstances we are all currently facing, the very broad and overarching support for this decision was not a foregone conclusion. This is why the support of all 206 National Olympic Committees (NOCs), all Summer Olympic International Federations (IFs) plus the IOC Athletes’ Commission and the continental athletes’ commissions for this historic postponement is a great demonstration of the unity of the Olympic Movement under these unprecedented circumstances.
1)Coronavirus crisis management
Now we have another unprecedented challenge ahead of us – organising the postponed Olympic Games. This is a first in our long Olympic history, and it is an immense task for the IOC, our Japanese partners and friends, and all the members of our Olympic community. This new situation will need all our solidarity, creativity, determination and flexibility. We shall all need to make sacrifices and compromises. Extraordinary circumstances call for extraordinary measures. This situation requires every one of us to do our part, and this applies to all of us, including the IOC. For our part, we have made it clear that the IOC will continue to be responsible for its share of the operational burden and its share of the costs for these postponed Games, under the terms of the existing agreement for 2020 that we have with our Japanese partners and friends. Although it is too early to give an exact figure, we already know that we have to shoulder several hundred million US dollars of postponement costs. This is why we also need to look into and review all the services that we provide for these postponed Games. With regard to supporting the Olympic community that is affected by this crisis, we are already in fruitful discussions with the athletes, the NOCs and the IFs, as well as our commercial partners and sponsors. As immediate measures, we have already extended all Olympic grants to the NOCs to cover their preparations for the Games. This also applies to the grants for 1,600 Olympic Scholarship athletes worldwide and the IOC Refugee Team. The joint Task Force with the symbolic name “Here we Go” is already working at full speed in a highly professional way. It has established the priorities and management strategies to make these postponed Olympic Games feasible and successful. These priorities include first of all to create a safe environment with regard to health for all participants. Here, we can continue to rely on the advice of the World Health Organisation (WHO) concerning potential adaptations to the organisation of mass gatherings. With regard to feasibility, the IOC has provided a wide-ranging catalogue of cost-saving measures to the joint Task Force. By following this strategy, we have the unique opportunity to turn the celebration of the postponed Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 into a festival of unity for humankind, and a symbol of human resilience to overcome this coronavirus crisis. Imagine what a powerful signal of hope these Olympic Games will be for the world during these unprecedented times. The Olympic flame can be the light at the end of the dark tunnel that humankind currently finds itself in.
2)The post-coronavirus world
At this moment, nobody knows what the realities of the post-coronavirus world will look like. What is clear, however, is that probably none of us will be able to sustain every single initiative or event that we were planning before this crisis hit. We will all need to take a close look at the scope of some of our activities and make the necessary adjustments to the new realities. In this context, the IOC administration is reviewing the IOC’s budget and priorities. This review will shortly be presented to the IOC Executive Board for discussion and approval. The motto when we launched Olympic Agenda 2020, and which is written on the wall at Olympic House: “Change or be changed”, is in this crisis-time more relevant than ever. As challenging and difficult as the circumstances may appear right now, if we draw the right lessons from the current situation, we can shape our future to even strengthen the relevance of our Olympic Movement in the world. Therefore, we should drive further the reforms of Olympic Agenda 2020, in particular with regard to sustainability, in order to address this crisis. To accomplish this, as a responsible organization we should dare to look into the future of the world after this crisis. History tells us that significant crises or systemic shocks, like the coronavirus pandemic, have profound and far-reaching impacts on society at large. Therefore, we have to imagine in what kind of post-coronavirus world sport, the Olympic values and the Olympic Games will find themselves in. At this moment in time, nobody can truly predict the realities of this post-coronavirus world. But if we want to be prepared, we need to try to look further ahead. To this discussion I would like to contribute some food for thought: One could imagine three broad scenarios, while bearing in mind that these are by no means exhaustive, nor likely to become reality in their pure form, but will differ according to their national, regional and cultural background. In the first scenario, society will try to continue much like before the crisis. With this scenario, the current crisis would most likely exacerbate already existing social and economic inequalities. Too many inequalities and inefficiencies in too many societies have been laid bare in this crisis. The world will not be able to overcome these by blindly following computer algorithms based on data stemming from the past, like from the financial crisis in 2008. This crisis is very different. To overcome this crisis will require human excellence, experience and creativity. The second scenario is largely characterized by society and nations driven even more by egoism and self-interest. This scenario could lead to even more divided societies, to more inequalities, with all the social risks this entails for the political systems. It would lead to a dramatic worsening of international relations, protectionism and political confrontation in all aspects of human life: the economy, sport, culture, humanitarian aid, everything would become a political tool in this political confrontation. The main features of the third scenario are more solidarity and international cooperation. This scenario would mean that we have understood that we cannot predict or shape the future state of the world by relying solely on technology, and that no individual, no government, no nation can solve the big problems of humanity on their own. This would lead to efforts to share the hardship of the crisis in a fair way among people and nations, and to strengthen a fair and cooperative world order. Whichever elements of these scenarios are dominant, there will be a fundamental effect on sport and society at large. Being united by our Olympic values of peace, solidarity, respect and unity in all our diversity, we can make an important contribution to this post-coronavirus world. We can do so from a strong basis. Thanks to the many reforms of Olympic Agenda 2020 we are enjoying long-term stability. This allows us to shoulder not only our share of the postponement costs of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 but at the same time keep assisting the athletes and the Olympic stakeholders. Yet there is no reason to be complacent. This post-coronavirus world will confront us with more challenges, in particular social, economic and political ones. Therefore, we have to drive Olympic Agenda 2020 forward and adapt it.
3)Social impact
We can fairly assume that, in the post-coronavirus society, public health will play a much more important role. Sport and physical activity make a great contribution to health. While studies by the WHO had already demonstrated this with stunning results concerning non-communicable diseases, the coronavirus crisis teaches us how much a sound general health situation helps to overcome communicable diseases as well. Sport and physical activity are therefore the perhaps most low-cost tool for a healthy society. To make this even more evident too, the IOC is about to conclude a new Memorandum of Understanding with the WHO. We can highlight the significance of sport for inclusivity and integration. Sometimes, sport is the only activity that unites people regardless of their social, political, religious or cultural background. Sport is the glue bonding a society together. Such inclusivity is even more important in otherwise deeply divided societies. We shall also have to consider what social distancing may mean for our relations with e-sports. Whilst maintaining our principles by respecting the “red line” with regard to the Olympic values, we encourage all our stakeholders even more urgently to “consider how to govern electronic and virtual forms of their sport and explore opportunities with game publishers” (Declaration of the 8th Olympic Summit, 7 December 2019). Some IFs have already been very creative by organizing remote competitions. We should further strengthen these moves and encourage our joint working group to address this new challenge and opportunity.
4)Economic impact
Without any doubt, the current health crisis will lead to a long and deep economic crisis, the effect of which on sport may differ from country to country. This will depend greatly on the importance governments will give to the enormous social capital represented by sport when it comes to the allocation of the financial assistance provided by them for the recovery of economy. Therefore, we should strongly request governments to appreciate and honor the immense contribution of sport to public health, its importance for inclusion, social life and culture, and its important role for their national economies. In Europe, for example, a recent study showed that sport contributes more than two percent to GDP, a contribution which makes sport economically more important than a number of more traditional economic sectors. The same study found that nearly three per cent of all jobs in Europe are sport-related. Sport is therefore a big employer. This study, like many others, demonstrates that sport can play not just a positive social role but also an economic one in helping the world to recover from the crisis. We are not part of the problem. We can be part of the solution. To achieve this, governments must include sport in their economic support programmes. However, for most sports events, as for all sectors of society, things will not be as they were before. This is why the IOC should further strengthen the sustainability and feasibility reforms of Olympic Agenda 2020 with a new phase of the “New Norm” to make even more savings possible for the Organizing Committees of the Olympic Games. These new measures should lead to an even more restricted footprint for all the stakeholders at the Olympic Games. The IOC will also study whether and how we can accelerate our response to climate change. The IOC as an organization is already carbon neutral, as the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 should also be. Our new aim could be to make them both climate positive even before 2030, which is the year targeted by the international community to achieve their climate goals. For the Olympic Movement as a whole, we may also have to look more closely into the proliferation of sports events, as we already discussed at previous Olympic Summits. The financial pressure on all the stakeholders, including NOCs, IFs and Organizing Committees, may require more consolidation in this respect.
5)Political impact
At least in some parts of the world, we may see more nationalism, more protectionism and, as a result, more political confrontation. Here, our Olympic values of solidarity, peace, respect for each other and for the global rules of sport need to be emphasized. By living in and strengthening solidarity we can show that respectful international cooperation produces better and fairer results than isolationism. We all have to make every effort to ensure that the Olympic Games are supported by the entire international community as the demonstration of the “Unity of humankind in all our diversity”; that the Olympic Games are building bridges for everybody without any kind of discrimination; and that therefore the Olympic Games as this unique sports, cultural and social event should be beyond any political or other divisive considerations.
6)The way forward
I hope that with these ideas I can contribute to a comprehensive discussion.Therefore, I propose a wide-ranging consultation among all of us under the guidance of the IOC Executive Board and the IOC Session, as we did for Olympic Agenda 2020. Already the Ancient Greeks, to whom we owe the Olympic Games, knew that with every crisis comes an opportunity. Let us take this opportunity in a way of unity and creativity to emerge from this crisis even stronger than before. The post-coronavirus world will need sport, and we are ready to contribute to shaping it with our Olympic values.
Lausanne, 29 April 2020 Thomas Bach
9.Strategic Framework on Huma Rights to realize best practices in the selection of future Olympic Games hosts at the IOC Executive Board on 9 September 2022)
1)“This Framework will fundamentally shape the working practices of the IOC, the Olympic Games, and the entire Olympic Movement, ensuring that human rights are respected within our own respective remit”
2) “The overarching mission of the Olympic Movement, as you know, is for sport to contribute to a better world ... It will address selection of future Olympic Games hosts and the delivery of the Olympic Games.”
3) “What is clear ... is the [host city selection] procedure, and there, you can see from this Human Rights Framework that the Future Host Commission, which is leading this process, will be guided by the U.N. [Guiding Principles])”
(1)Equality and non-discrimination (2) Safety and well-being (3)Livelihood and decent work (4)Voice (5)Privacy
*Four related Goal Targets:
(1)Athletes (2) IOC/IF/NOC and organizing committee workforce (3)Workers in supply and value chains (4)Olympic-related communities
4) “We have, of course, taken note of this report.
5) With regards to the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022, which fall within our remit, the IOC worked together with the organizing committee to ensure that all the obligations in the Host City Contract were met, and if you read the report by the U.N. High Commissioner and you look into the recommendations which are directed to the wider society, there is the call, therefore, for respect of the U.N. [Guiding Principles], and this is what we are doing
10. IOC President Thomas Bach’s Position on Russia’s Participation in the Paris 2024 Games (IOC EB in March 2023)
1)“It is deplorable to see that some Governments do not want to respect the majority within the Olympic Movement and all stakeholders, nor the autonomy of sport which they are appraising and requesting from other countries in countless speeches, UN resolutions, European Union declarations and at every other opportunity.”
2)“It is deplorable that these Governments do not address the question of double standards with which we have been confronted in our consultations.”
3)“We have not seen a single comment on their attitude on the participation of athletes whose countries are involved in the other 70 wars and armed conflict in the world.”
4)“It is even more deplorable that they grossly neglect the very clear statement of the two special rapporteurs from the UN Human Rights Council, while in other issues they are always highlighting their firm requests for the respect of human rights.”
5)“That both sides in this confrontation are not satisfied to say it diplomatically might indicate that we found some middle ground on which we all can move forward to make a contribution to understanding and peace through sport”
6)“Today after all the responses we got, I can only reaffirm that the entire Olympic Movement strongly stands by its values and by its mission to unite the world in a peaceful competition.”
11. IOC President Thomas Bach’s Message at Mumbai IOC Session (15 October 2023) about the Petitions by some IOC Members for the Extension of IOC President’s Term of Office
1)“First of all, say thank you very much for your kind words of support, because I think these words of support are not only directed to me, they are directed to all of us”
2)“What made us overcome the challenges we had was exactly this unity, this support which you expressed with regard to many items overall at the time, and we can only be credible if we are appealing to all these divisive forces in the world, if we are appealing to respect the unifying of sport if we ourselves are unified.”
3)“Otherwise, we have no credibility. If we are divided, how can we teach others about unity and our unifying power.”
4)“You also know I am very loyal to the Olympic Charter”
5)“Being a core author of this Olympic Charter drives me to be more loyal to this Olympic Charter.”
6)“You have heard the explanation of the chair of our Legal Commission in this direction”
7)“Thank you very much again, I am very touched by your support and friendship.”
12. Midway Report about Olympic Agenda 2020+5 by IOC President Thomas Bach at Mumbai 2023 IOC Session on 10 October (What we can achieve together)
1)“Our world has changed in fundamental ways in recent years.”
2)“As we anticipated at the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, we are now facing its far-reaching social, financial, economic and political consequences, which are exacerbated by the ongoing conflicts, wars and natural catastrophes that we must address.”
3)“Olympic Agenda 2020+5 is our roadmap to prepare ourselves for this new world, and we can be proud of the progress that has been made across all 15 recommendations since it was adopted in March 2021.”
4)“The accomplishments described in this Report are great examples of what we can achieve together, and are testament to the tremendous amount of work that has been carried out in partnership with our stakeholders.”
5)“There is still more to be done, but we can already look forward to the Olympic Games Paris 2024 as the Games of a new era, inspired by Olympic Agenda 2020 and Olympic Agenda 2020+5 from start to finish.”
13. Thomas Bach IOC President as Chair of IOC Refugee Foundation (14 December 2023)
1)“Sport is about so much more than physical activity.
2)Sport is empowerment.
3)Sport is health.
4)Sport is inclusion.
5)Sport is respect.
6)Sport is solidarity.
7)Sport is belonging.
8)Sport is peace.
14. Thomas Bach IOC President’s Message of Condolences in Memory of the late Henry Kissinger (IOC Honor Member)
1)“When I was elected IOC President in 2013, I approached him and asked whether he would be ready to advise the IOC and me, as he had done through the IOC 2000 Commission. "
2)“He immediately said yes. Since then, we spoke regularly and became friends.”
3)“He gave me invaluable advice in all the many geopolitical issues the world and sport had to face in recent years.”
4)“I will greatly miss a brilliant man and a warm-hearted friend. My thoughts are with his beloved wife Nancy and all his family.”
*I would also like to pay my homage and personal respect to the late Henry Kissinger, the last IOC Honor member, who recently passed away. And I send my deepest sympathy and condolences to his bereaved family and the entire Olympic Movement. He kindly sent to me his message about my book publication as follows:
“Dear Professor Yoon,
Thank you for sending me a copy of your book, “When Sport meets the World Over Five Rings”
It gives me a very interesting and complete picture of the vast amount of planning and work that goes into hosting a successful Olympics.
Your enthusiasm, knowledge and experiences are a valuable resource and I appreciate your graciousness in thinking of me.
Warm regards,
Henry A. Kissinger”
15. IOC President Thomas Bach’s Brilliant Brain Child and a New Strategic Roadmap for the Future Olympic Movement, Olympic Agenda 2020+5 (Ref.: IOC website)
The 15 recommendations are based on key trends that have been identified as likely to be decisive in the post-coronavirus world. They are also areas where sport and the values of Olympism can play a key role in turning challenges into opportunities.
The key trends include:
1)The need for greater solidarity within and among societies;
*The growth in digitalization, while keeping in mind the need to expand digital capability to the currently digitally underserved;
-The urgency of achieving sustainable development;
-The growing demand for credibility, both of organizations and institutions; and
-The need to build resilience in the face of the financial and economic consequences that will result from the COVID-19 pandemic and which will influence priority-setting among governments and enterprises.
2) The 15 recommendations, which have been inspired by these trends, call upon the IOC and the Olympic Movement to:
(1) Strengthen the uniqueness and the universality of the Olympic Games
(2) Foster sustainable Olympic Games
(3) Reinforce athletes’ rights and responsibilities
(4) Continue to attract best athletes
(5) Further strengthen safe sport and the protection of clean athletes
(6) Enhance and promote the Road to the Olympic Games
(7) Coordinate the harmonization of the sports calendar
(8) Grow digital engagement with people
(9) Encourage the development of virtual sports and further engage with video gaming communities
(10) Strengthen the role of sport as an important enabler for the UN Sustainable Development Goals
(11) Strengthen the support to refugees and populations affected by displacement
(12) Reach out beyond the Olympic community
(13) Continue to lead by example in corporate citizenship
(14) Strengthen the Olympic Movement through good governance
(15) Innovate revenue generation models.
(A handover ceremony of the keys to the IOC)
(Thomas Bach as an Olympic Champion Montreal 1976)
[Henry Kissinger IOC명예위원(IOC Honour Member)생전에 필자에게 보내온 자필서명감사서한과 그의 작고에 따른 Thomas Bach IOC위원장의 조의 표명 메시지]
미국 국무장관을 역임하고 죽의 장막이었던 중국과 미국을 핑퐁 외교로 사상최초로 미-중 외교관계를 수립한 것으로 전세계 유명인사로 명망이 높았던 故 Henry Kissinger(향년 100세)가 최근(2023년 11월29일) 별세하였습니다.
Bach IOC위원장은 “본인이 2013년 IOC위원장으로 선출되었을 때 IOC 2000 위원회를 통하여 참여한 바 있었던 그에게 다가가 IOC와 본인을 위해 자문해 줄 수 있는지 여부를 물었음. 그는 즉각적으로 그렇게 하겠다고 화답하였음. 그 이래로 우리는 정규적으로 만나 이야기를 나누었으며 친구가 되었음. 그는 모든 많은 지정학적인 세계적 이슈들과 최근 스포츠가 직면한 문제들에 대하여 본인에게 일일이 소중한 충고와 자문을 아끼지 않았음. 본인은 이렇게 명철한 분이며 따뜻한 마음의 소유자였던 그분을 그토록 그리워하는 마음 임. 나의 이러한 생각을 그가 사랑했던 아내인 낸시와 그의 모든 가족과 함께 하며 고인의 명복을 비는 임” (When I was elected IOC President in 2013, I approached him and asked whether he would be ready to advise the IOC and me, as he had done through the IOC 2000 Commission. He immediately said yes. Since then, we spoke regularly and became friends. He gave me invaluable advice in all the many geopolitical issues the world and sport had to face in recent years. I will greatly miss a brilliant man and a warm-hearted friend. My thoughts are with his beloved wife Nancy and all his family.)이라고 조의를표명하였습니다.
그분이 생전에 필자에게 보내 주었던 자필서한내용을 함께 공개합니다.
Lastly, I would pay my homage and personal respect to the late Henry Kissinger, the last IOC Honor member, who recently passed away. And I send my deepest sympathy and condolences to his bereaved family and the entire Olympic Movement.
The contents of the “Letter from the late Henry A. Kissinger”
“Dear Professor Yoon,
Thank you for sending me a copy of your book, “When Sport meets the World Over Five Rings”
It gives me a very interesting and complete picture of the vast amount of planning and work that goes into hosting a successful Olympics.
Your enthusiasm, knowledge and experiences are a valuable resource and I appreciate your graciousness in thinking of me.
Warm regards,
Henry A. Kissinger”
“친애하는 Rocky YOON교수,
영문으로 쓴 스포츠외교현장이야기 책은 성공적인 올림픽을 치르는데 필요한 방대한 분량의 기획과 작업을 거쳐 완성된 흥미롭고 완전한 그림을 나에게 보여 주었소.
귀하의 열정과 지식과 경험은 소중한 자산이며 특히 나를 생각하는 예의 바른 정중함에 감사하는 바이오.
12월도 국제스포츠 계 이슈와 행사 그리고 움직임이 쉴새 없이 보도되고 있습니다. 요약 정리하여 공유합니다:
1)IOC는 난민에 대한 스포츠 지원을 위한 투자정책을 선도해 가면서 스위스 개최 글로벌난민포럼(Global Refugee Forum)에서 “공동스포츠공약”(Joint Sport Pledge)을 이뤄가기 위해 U$4,500만불(약 585억원)지원을 공표하였음. 하지만 IOC가 풀뿌리기조그룹에 대하여 신경을 쓰고 있지만 정작 가장 소중한 올림픽 대사 격인 올림픽 선수들에 대한 투자는 어찌 될 것지(as the IOC reaches out to the grass roots, what about an investment in its most high-profile ambassadors: its Olympic athletes?) 올림픽을 궁극적으로 대내외에 홍보대표들인 올림픽 선수들을 위하여 얼마간의 수당을 지급하도록 할 때가 아닌지(Is it time for Olympic athletes to get some money for making it to the ultimate showcase?) 한 외신은 이에 대한 의문을 제기하고 있음.
2)Vladimir Putin 러시아대통령은 자신의 연말 기자회견(his year-end news conferences)에서 러시아선수들의 대회 참가와 관련한 규정이 세심하게 분석되어야 하며 만일 최고의 기량을 가진 러시아 선수들이 출전할 수 없다면 러시아올림픽위원회와 러시아 체육부가 나서서 “상황을 평가하고 균형 잡힌 결정을 내릴 필요성”(need to assess the situation and make a balanced decision)에 대하여 언급하였다고 함
3)지속적으로 Tokyo2020올림픽 스폰서지원희망 일본회사들로부터 뇌물을 상납 받았거나 해당스폰서들로부터 일거리 청탁을 받았다는 Tokyo2020올림픽조ㅈ직위원회 전임 집행위원인 Haruyuki Takahashi의 관련 혐의를 부인하였다(pled not guilty to charges of receiving bribes from companies seeking to be Olympic sponsors or seeking work from sponsors)고 함.
4)Milan-Cortina 2026 동계올림픽 종합썰매경기장(a bobsled, luge and skeleton venue for the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Games)대체지를 지속적으로 탐색하였던 노력이 이태리정부가 방치되어 있던(abandoned) Torino2006 동계올림픽 트랙을 정비할 것을 고려하고 있음으로 해서 다음 주 결정이 내려질 때 까지 다시 보류되었음(went sideways again)
5)기후변화의 영향으로 향후 붙박이 동계올림픽 개최도시 또는 지역에서의 고정적인 순회개최컨셉은 일단 보류 중이며(on hold) IOC가 잠정 결정하여 급 추진 중인 2030(French Alps)-2034(Salt Lake City)-2038(가능한 스위스) 등에 대한 대회개최지내정에 한숨을 돌리고 있는 상황임
6)LA2028올림픽 정식종목 리스트가 완결되면서 해당 국제연맹들은 세부 종목과 선수 수에 대한 구체적인 세부사항을 결정하도록 요청 받고 있는 가운데 최종세부종목프로그램과 쿼터를 2024년 2월까지 확정 짓도록 종용 받고 있음. 5개 추가 종목과 관련하여 올림픽 헌장에 명시된 선호 상한 수인 총 10,500명을 초과할 전망이지만 경비절감을 위하여 가능한 최소화할 것(With the five added sports, the total number of athletes will run past the preferred 10,500 total, but will be kept as low as possible to reduce costs)으로 알려지고 있음
7)러시아올림픽위원회(ROC)위원장은 IOC가 12월 개최 IOC집행위원회에서 3명 러시아선수들의 프랑스-세르비아-이스라엘로의 국적변경승인에 대하여 자격정지 중인 ROC이지만 협의하지 않았다는 명분으로 집중 비난하고(blasted the IOC for its approval of three transfers of allegiance by Russian athletes to France, Serbia and Israel)있음
8)육상청렴도감사팀(Athletics Integrity Unit)은 지난 3월 Tokyo 마라톤대회에서 2:16:56초로 9위로 골인한 에티오피아 마라톤 선수인 Tsehay Gemechu을 포함하여 도핑결과자격정지사례들을 발표하였음
9)IOC올림픽수석국장(Olympic Games Executive Director)인 Dubi는 향후 고정적인 붙박이 동계올림픽개최지순환개최에 대하여 대게 11~12개의 기후의존가능 지역들(somewhere at 11-12 reliable climatic regions)이 있을 것으로 예상한다고 언급하였음
10)LA2028올림픽에 추가종목으로 결정된 baseball-softball, cricket, flag football, lacrosse 및 squash로 인해 IOC의 선호 상한 선인 총 참가선수 수 10,500명을 초과될 것이 확실한 가운데 IOC 스포츠국장인 Kit McConnell(뉴질랜드 출신)은 조직위원회가 제안한 추가종목허용으로 인해 Tokyo2020의 경우 참가선수 수가 정확히 11,092명으로 10,500을 추월한 바 있으며 Pris2024대회에서도 조직위원회가 추가종목으로 제안한 4개 스포츠는 다행이 단체 종목이 아닌 개별 종목이므로 상대적으로 종목 별 선수 쿼터는 낮을 것으로 예상된다고 언급함. 하지만 LA2028의 경우 단체종목들이 추가 종목으로 제안되고 결정되었음으로 당연히 선수 수는 10,500명을 상회할 것이 자명하다고 예상함. 따라서 2025년 1/4분기에 확정할 선수 수에 대한 작업에 들어갈 것임. 단체종목추가승인으로 해당선수수는 734명으로 잠정 집계되었는데 따라서 LA2028대회 총 참가선수수는 11,234명이 될 것으로 추정하지만 Tokyo2020의 경우도 여러 다른 조사에 따르면 11,656명으로도 집계된 바 있다고 함. 이로 인해 다른 종목 국제연맹들은 자신들의 선수 쿼터가 줄어들 것을 염려하고 있다고 함
11)12월 IOC집행위원회 이후 가진 가자회견에서 Tokyo2020 올림픽유치 당시 작고한 Shinzo Abe일본총리가 Tokyo2020올림픽 개최지선정득표용으로 IOC위원들에게 홍보 겸 유인 책(as an inducement/promotion for IOC members to vote for Tokyo as the host city of the 2020 Olympic Games)으로 승인하여 배포된 선물증정 용 앨범(gift albums)에 대한 질문이 한 개 있었는데 전임 일본국회의원 겸 현재 Ishikawa 지사인 Hiroshi Hase는 111월17일 연설에서 한 이야기를 참조하여 Mark Adams IOC대변인은 IOC게서 조사할 것이 아무 것도 없으며(there was nothing to investigate from its side) “어떠한 경우에도 앨범을 IOC정책과 부합하는 감사의 표시 영역에 포함됨”(In any case, an album is a token of appreciation which is in line with IOC policy)이라고 설명하였다 함
12)IOC는 마지만 남았던 IOC명예위원(IOC Honor Member)미 미국국무장관(1973~77)을 역임하였으며 미국의 베트남 개입을 종식시키고 중국과의 외교관계를 수립하였으며 소련과의 관계개선에 주도적 역할을 수행(a key player in ending U.S. involvement in Vietnam, opening relations with China and in improving relations with the USSR)한 바 있는 미국의 Henry Kissinger(향년 100세) 의 작고에 대하여 조의를 표명하는 성명서를 발표하였음
13)Bach IOC위원장은 “본인이 2013년 IOC위원장으로 선출되었을 때 IOC 2000 위원회를 통하여 참여한 바 있었던 그에게 다가가 IOC와 본인을 위해 자문해 줄 수 있는지 여부를 물었음. 그는 즉각적으로 그렇게 하겠다고 화답하였음. 그 이래로 우리는 정규적으로 만나 이야기를 나누었으며 친구가 되었음. 그는 모든 많은 지정학적인 세계적 이슈들과 최근 스포츠가 직면한 문제들에 대하여 본인에게 일일이 소중한 충고와 자문을 아끼지 않았음. 본인은 이렇게 명철한 분이며 따뜻한 마음의 소유자였던 그분을 그토록 그리워하는 마음 임. 나의 이러한 생각을 그가 사랑했던 아내인 낸시와 그의 모든 가족과 함께 하며 고인의 명복을 비는 바임” (When I was elected IOC President in 2013, I approached him and asked whether he would be ready to advise the IOC and me, as he had done through the IOC 2000 Commission. He immediately said yes. Since then, we spoke regularly and became friends. He gave me invaluable advice in all the many geopolitical issues the world and sport had to face in recent years. I will greatly miss a brilliant man and a warm-hearted friend. My thoughts are with his beloved wife Nancy and all his family.)이라고 조의의 뜻을 표명하였음
14)아시아올림픽평의회(OCA: Olympic Council of Asia)회원국 NOCs의 절대 과반수(2/3)는 2023년 10월19일 OCA집행위원회의 결정 사항인 IOC윤리수석감찰관(the IOC Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer)의 지난 7월8일 방콕 개최 OCA선거와 관련한 보고서내용을 인준(ratified by two thirds majority)하였음
15)통상적이지만은 않은 이러한 확인결과(this unusual conformation) OCA회장으로 방콕 개최 OCA총회 선거에서 쿠웨이트 왕족 출신 Sheikh TalalFahad Al Ahmad Al-Sabah의 선출이 무효화 되었으며 대신 인도의 Randhir Singh이 OCA헌장개혁이 정상적으로 자리를 잡고 새로운 선거 총회가 소집될 수 있을 때까지(until constitutional reforms are put in place and a new elective Congress can be held) OCA회장대행역할을 계속해 나갈 것임
16)러시아 패럴림픽 위원회는 유럽회원국들의 태도에 근거하여(based on the attitude of the European members)유럽총연맹소속에서 아시아로 이적할 것을 논의하고 있다고 Pavel Rozhkov러시아 패럴림픽 연맹 회장이 언급하였다고 함
[Thomas Bach IOC위원장의 재임 10년 차 십계명(Thomas Bach’s Ten Commandments)요약정리]
Bach IOC위원장의 재임이 10년이 지났으며 올림픽운동을 위한 “Thomas Bach의 십계명”에 대하여 이제 인식할 수 있음(At his term as President of the IOC has passed its 10-year anniversary, we can now recognize “Thomas Bach’s Ten Commandments” for the Olympic Movement):
(2022년 10월21일 서울에서 거행된 IOC쿠베르탱 메달전수식은 IOC위원장이 직접 시상한 최초의 공식메달수여식 이었음)
(1)올림픽대회유치는 회수가 절대 불가한 수 백만 불을 낭비하는 패배자가 생기면 안되는 것임. IOC는 이제 대부분 개별적 논의과정을 통하여 대회개최지를 선정하고 있음(Bidding for Olympic Games should not create losers, who waste millions for absolutely no return. The IOC now selects its hosts through a mostly-private discussion process.)
(2)올림픽대회는 개최도시, 지역 또는 국가와 부합되어야 하며 불필요한 경비 지출을 요구하지 않음(An Olympic Games must conform to the city, region or country where it is held, and not require unnecessary expenditures.)
(3)올림픽개최에 있어서 해당지역발전 유용한계획의 일환이 아닐 경우 새로운 경기장 또는 영구시설건축물 불허함을 최적으로 간주하는 바임(It is considered best if no new venues or permanent constructions are undertaken for a Games, unless as part of an otherwise useful local development plan.)
(4)스포츠는 사람들이 운집한 곳으로 가야하며 사람들이 그곳으로 오는 것이 아님. 이것은 부에노스아이레스 개최 2018년 청소년올림픽에서 성공적으로 입증되었는데 그곳의 명소인 오벨리스크에서 무료로 야외에서 개최된 개회식을 통해 보여준 것이며 Seine강에서 개회식이 열리는 Paris2024올림픽으로 전파된 것임(Sport must go to where the people are, not require people to come to it. This was successfully demonstrated at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires at the free, open-air opening ceremony at the iconic Obelisco, and transferred to Paris 2024 with its opening on the Seine.)
(5)스포츠는 청년들에게 다가가야 함, 또는 올림픽화법으로 “보다 더 도시 풍”으로 그리고 “청년 지향”이 되어야 함. 그럼으로 2028년(LA)올림픽부터 영구 종목 프로그램으로 포함 될 스케이트보드, 스포츠 클라이밍과 서핑이 그 예시이고 IOC는 자체의 Esports올림픽을 향하여 움직이고 있음(Sport must appeal to youth, or in Olympic-speak, “be more urban” and “youth-oriented.” Thus the inclusion to the permanent program of skateboarding, sport climbing and surfing from 2028 and the IOC moving toward its own “e-sport Olympics.)
(6)단순하게 상금이란 명목으로 선수들에게 지불해 주는 것 보다 개발 프로젝트와 선수 지원을 위해 돈이 각 NOC를 통해 배분되는 ‘연대 모델’(Solidarity Model)를 통한 스포츠 지배구조(Sport governance through the “solidarity model,” in which money is distributed through National Olympic Committees for development projects and athlete support, rather than simply paying athletes directly through prize money)
(7)Paris2024 올림픽을 향하여 출전 남녀선수 수에 있어서 양성평등을 위한 엄격한 요구조건(Strict requirements for gender equality in terms of the number of men’s and women’s athletes competing, which will be reached at Paris 2024.)
(8)활기찬 도핑방지정책을 줄기차게 추진함으로 독자적 기구가 추진하고 운영하는 것; IOC는 2018년에 국제검사기구를 창설하였으며 이 기구는 올림픽종목연맹들의 도핑방지프로그램화의 대부분을 재빨리 흡수하여 오고 있음(Strenuous anti-doping measures, preferably handled by an independent agency; the IOC created the International testing Agency in 2018, which has quickly absorbed most of the anti-doping programming for Olympic-sport federations.)
(9)선수들은 각자의 정부에 밀접하게 연관이 되어 있지 않은 한 해당소속정부의 행동에 대한 책임이 없음(간과 점은 미국을 제외하고 전세계 거의 모든 정부가 모든 국가올림픽위원회의 기금을 조달하고 있다는 사실임)<Athletes are not responsible for the actions of their government, so long as they are not affiliated with their government. (Overlooked is the fact that governments fund every National Olympic Committee in the world except in the U.S.)>
(10)IOC는 UN이 추구하고 지시하며 규정하고 있는 사항에 대하여 존중하고, 따르며 실행해야 하는 것임(The IOC should respect, follow and implement the directives and regulations of the United Nations.)
이러한 지령(these directives)은 Bach IOC위원장의 경우에는 순수하지만 IOC가 선호하는 방향과 정책을 수십 년간 뒤집은 바 있는데 예를 들면 1970년~1991년까지 남아공과 1975년~1980년까지 로디지아(현 짐바브웨) 그들의 인종차별정책에 대하여 당시 전면적인 대회 참가금지조치(reversed decades of IOC preferences and policy, for example, the total participation bans on South Africa from 1970-91 and Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) from the Olympic Movement from 1975-80 for their governmental apartheid policies)가 이에 해당한다고 볼 수 있겠습니다.
그러한 접근방식은 더 이상 적용되고 있는 않는 것이 분명(That approach apparently does not apply any more)하다고 합니다.
Bach IOC위원장의 두 번째 임기는 2025년에 종료되게 되지만 몇몇 IOC위원들은 Bach를 설득하여 4년 더 임기를 연장하여 2029년까지 IOC위원장 직을 유지하게 하려고 설득 작업 중입니다.
하지만 Bach IOC위원장은 그러한 임기연장초대를 수락하겠다 던지 거절하겠다 던지 이에 수반되는 올림픽헌장개정을 지지한다 던지 여부에 대하여 침묵 중(He has not said whether he will or won’t accept the invitation, and support the required changes to the Olympic Charter)입니다.
그의 결정은 다시 한번 자신이 설정한 유산을 개정하게 될 것이며 IOC의 가장 중차대한 리더들 중 한 명으로서 어떤 분야에서는 발전적 진보를 또 다른 분야에서는 그렇지 않다는 평가가 엇갈린 가운데 중요한 지위를 이미 확보한 상태입니다(His decision will once again revise his legacy, already secure as one of the most consequential leaders of the International Olympic Committee, for better in some areas, but not in others.)
[Paris2024올림픽 러시아 및 벨라루스선수참가자격 조건 발표 및 12월 중순 최신 현황]
재임 10년 차이며 올림픽운동과 올림픽대회 및 국제스포츠게 판도를 전면적으로 개편해 온 바 있는 Bach IOC위원장이 최근 발표한내용에 따르면 지금까지 미루어왔던 두 나라 선수들의 paris2024 올림픽참가조건을 명확히 구체적으로 적시하였다고 합니다:
1)두나라에서 팀이 아닌 개인 선수들 중 기존 올림픽출전자격획득 해당 국제연맹들의 절차를 통해 IOC가 발행한 요구조건에 부합해야 하며 두나라 단체 종목 출전 팀의 경우는 불허함
2)이 경우 (1)국가 표시 없는 중립자격유니폼(a neutral uniform without any national markings), (2)해당선수국가대표상징 국기 불허(no flags), (3)시상식 포함 어떠한 세레모니에서도 국가연주불허(no anthem to be played for them at any ceremony)등을 명시함
3)“우크라이나침공전쟁 적극 지지 선수들은 참가 또는 출전자격 불허”(Athletes who actively support the war will not be eligible to be entered or to compete)
4)IOC는 해당국제연맹이 제안한 각 출전자격획득 독자적중립선수(AIN: Athlete Independent and Neutral) 및 지원인원(support personnel)의 적격 여부에 대하여 독자적 평가 구상(seek a independent evaluation of the eligibility)
5)추가로 해당선수들에 대하여 모든 도핑방지주의조치 예의주시(all anti-doping precautions will have to be taken)
6)IOC가 발행한 6쪽짜리 규정은 러시아와 벨라루스인들의 Paris대회 참가를 엄격하게 제한하기 위한 것임(유럽국가들은 지속되는 우크라이나와의 전쟁으로 러시아 및 벨라루스국민들의 유럽 및 다른 국가에서의 숙박에 대하여서는 분노하고 있음)
7)Bach IOC위원장은 자신이 조성한 긴장상태를 잘 이해하고 있으며 따라서 이러한 결정 사항의 선봉장인 격 임. IOC의 가치와 불일치한 면을 불식시키면서(while brushing them aside as inconsistent with the IOC values) 그의 언급된 말이 반복적으로 들렸는데 그와 IOC는 일종의 미안해 하는 기색이 없었다는(unapologetic) 평가임
8)두나라선수들의 참가에 대한 개념이 확인된 Olympic Summit 후 단 3일 후인 지난 12월8일에 발표된 선언문 4번째 절에 명시되어 있지만 세부사항은 제공되어 않았다고 함
9)그 4번째 절에는 “아주 제한된 수의 선수들만이 국제연맹들의 기존 출전자격시스템을 통해 출전자격이 주어질 것임. 지금까지 Paris2024올림픽 출전자격을 획득한 전세계 4,600명의 선수들 중 11명(러시아여권소지자 8명 및 벨라루스여권소지자 3명)만이 명단이 기재되어 있음. 대조적으로 Paris2024올림픽 출전자격을 획득한 우크라이나 선수들 수는 60명에 달함”(Only a very limited number of athletes will qualify through the existing qualification systems of the IFs. Among the 4,600 athletes from around the world who have qualified for Paris 2024 so far, there are only 11 Individual Neutral Athletes (eight with a Russian passport plus three with a Belarusian passport). In comparison, to date more than 60 Ukrainian athletes have qualified for Paris 2024.)이라는 정보가 포함되어 있음
10)IOC의 매우 유능한 소통팀요원들은 열정적이지만 냉철하게 정제된 언어로 자신들의 입장에 대하여 UN, G-20, 비동맹 운동(Non-Aligned Movement) 과 같은 국제 그룹으로부터 검증된 타당성 있는 사례 등을 반복해서 나타내 주고 있었으며 “최소 3,000명의 우크라이나 선수들과 우크라이나 올림픽 공동체 인원들이 IOC 연대프로그램 기금(Solidarity Fund)으로부터 혜택을 받아 왔음”(At least 3,000 Ukrainian athletes and other members of the Olympic community of Ukraine have benefitted from the IOC Solidarity Fund)을 알려주었음
11)그 사실은 IOC가 자신들의 입장을 밝히면서 사례를 든 사과의 표현에 근접한(as close to an apology as the IOC will make for its position)내용임. 하지만 입장이라는 것이 변화에 관한 것은 아님. Bach IOC위원장은 그것에 대해 올림픽윤동이 매 4년마다 한번씩 전세계에 가져다 주는 “단합”(unity)에 대한 “표출”(demonstration)이라고 주장하고 있음
12)하지만 답변해야 할 크고 작은 질문사항이 남아 있는 상황인데 지금부터 Paris2024올림픽 사이에 또는 대회기간 중 벌어질 가능성 있는 일촉즉발의 쟁점(a possible flashpoint) 별 상황임:
(1)Paris2024올림픽 기간 중 우크라이나선수들 역시 거주하며 먹고 훈련을 하는 올림픽선수촌에 두나라 선수들의 체류에 따른 문제를 어떻게 해결할 것인가? (How will these athletes be accommodated in the Olympic Village in Paris, where Ukrainian athletes will also be living, eating and training?)
(2)두나라 선수들이 극심하게 증가추세로 대두되고 있는 안전 이슈를 안고 있는 Seine강가에서 거행될 대회 개회식에 참가할 것인가? (Will these athletes participate in the Opening Ceremony on the Seine River, further increasing the already extreme security issues? ) IOC의 규정에 따르면 새로 창안한 “AIN”심볼을 담은 백색 깃발을 장착하도록 되어 있는데 Paris에서 이 깃발이 등장할 때마다 관중들의 반응을 상상해 보아야 함(The IOC’s regulations specify a white flag with a newly-created “AIN” symbol on it. Imagine the crowd reactions every time that shows up in Paris.)
(3)국제연맹들의 행동 또한 점검 대상임. 유도, 태권도 및 레슬링 종목에서 “중립”이란 칭호의 “적격 성”(eligibility)에 대하여 일고 있는 의문이 쇄도해 왔음. 세계 조정경기연맹은 보트 별로 2명의 선수가 출전하는 2인조 경기는 개별종목인데 이것이 허용될 것인가? (The conduct of the International Federations must also be examined. Questions have been raised about the “eligibility” of so-called “neutrals” in judo, taekwondo and wrestling. World Rowing somehow thinks that Pairs – two athletes in a boat – is an individual event; will that be allowed?)
(4)러시아와 벨라루스 출전선수들의 경기력도 종목별로 천차만별일 것임. 육상종목에는 출전선수가 없을 것임; 세계육상경기연맹 회장인 Sebastian Coe(영국인)은 지난 12월8일 이렇게 언급하였다고 합니다: “이것은 본인도 참석했던 Olympic Summit에서 지지를 받은 결정 임. 국제연맹들은 출전선수들 선별 평가에 따른 각자의 우선권을 가지고 있음. 우리는 변함 없는 명백한 입장을 고수하고 있음”(This is a decision that was supported at the Olympic Summit, which I attended. International federations have the priority right to make their own assessment of the selection of athletes. We have a clear position that has not changed.) “러시아선수들은 Paris올림픽에서 볼 수 있음. 육상종목에서는 그러한 일이 생기지 않을 것임. 우리 종목이 채택한 이 입장은 어떠한 방식으로도 바뀌지 않아 왔음. 여기에 더 이상 추가할 것이 없음. 이것이 우리의 입장이며 우리 육상가족구성원들이 거의 만장일치로 받아 들인 사안 임”(You can see Russian athletes at the Olympic Games in Paris. It’s just not going to happen in athletics. This position that our sport has adopted has not changed in any way. There is nothing to add here, this is our position, it was accepted almost unanimously by members of the athletics family.)
[동계올림픽 모범국가 스웨덴이 IOC로부터 번번이 외면당하고 있는 현상, 개인적 사유 일까? (Is it personal?)]
동계올림픽 강국이며 모범국가로 알려진 스웨덴이 번번이 동계올림픽유치경쟁에서 제외되어 왔던 것은 주지의 사실입니다.
한 외신은 이러한 현상이 IOC에 의한 연이은 스웨덴 냉대현상인지, 사적인 현상인지? (Sweden’s Winter Olympics bid snubbed by the IOC again, and again. Is it personal?) 라는 제하의 글을 올린 바 있습니다.
“우리는 완전히 새로운 방식으로 올림픽 및 패럴림픽을 조직할 수 있는 비전을 가지고 있었으며 불행히도 IOC의 새로운 유치과정은 지속가능하고 경비절감 효과적이고 민주적으로 조직하려는 유치 후보를 포용하기에는 기회가 무르익지 않았음”(We had a vision of being able to organize the Olympics and Paralympics in a completely new way, unfortunately the IOC's new process was not ripe for a candidacy that wanted to be sustainable, cost-effective and democratic.)스웨덴유치위원회의 심정 토로 글로 보입니다.
스웨덴은 동계올림픽을 가장 잘 장식할 수 있도록 되어 있는데 단 한번도 동계올림픽을 개최한 바가 없는 것(the most decorated Winter Olympics nation never to have hosted the quadrennial event)이 주지의 사실입니다.
Skating in Stockholm (SOK Photo)
동계올림픽 강국인 스웨덴(총 176개 동계올림픽메달획득)은 11월29일 IOC집행위원회에서 2038년 동계올림픽개최지로 예비된 스위스(167개 동계올림픽메달획득/8위), 2030년 동계올림픽개최지로 사실 상 확정된 프랑스(138개 동계올림픽메달획득/13위)에 밀려 2030-2034-2038 동계올림픽을 유치할 수 없게 되어 다른 유치희망도시들과 함께 빨라야 2042년대회 또는 그 이후에나 동계올림픽유치희망을 품을 수 밖에 없는 처지가 된 것입니다.
프랑스는 Chamonix 1924- Grenoble 1968-Albertville1992 등 이미 3 차례나 동계올림픽을 개최 한 바 있으며 2030년대회는 네 번째 동계올림픽이 됩니다.
스위스의 경우 St. Moritz in 1928 및 1948 등 이미 두 차례 동계올림픽을 개최하였으며 2038년은 세번째 대회 개최가 됩니다
그렇다면 스웨덴은?
스웨덴은 그 동안 동계올림픽개최의 꿈을 오랫동안 간직하며 IOC를 설득하기 위해 동계스포츠의 경이로운 나라로 전세계를 초대하기 위해(to invite the world to their Winter Wonderland) 수 많은 유치경쟁(an awful lot)에 뛰어 든 바 있습니다.
스웨덴의 동계올림픽유치시도의 기나긴 리스트는 (1)Gothenburg 1984, (2)Falun 1988, (3)Falun 1992, (4)Östersund 1994, (5)Östersund 1998, (6)Östersund 2002, (7)Stockholm 2022 및 (8)Stockholm-Åre 2026 등 8차례나 됩니다. 이번(Stockholm 2030)에도 제외되었으니 9차례 모두 실패한 것입니다.
스웨덴의 경우 IOC는 Stockholm, Falun, Åre와 Östersund 및 설매경기장(sliding venue)는 Latvia의 Sigulda에서 개최하려는 계획은 “역사상 가장 지속 가능한 대회를 치르겠다는 인상적인 비전을 제시하였으나 이 단계에서 도는 요소들을 함축하여 한 걸음 더 나아가는 요구조건은 충족시키지 못하였음”(presented an impressive vision to stage the most sustainable Games in history, but did not have all the elements required to be taken further at this stage)이라고 촌평하였다고 합니다.
이에 대하여 스웨덴올림픽위원회(SOC)위원장인 Hans von Uthmann은 “매우 놀랍고 매우 실망스러움”(I am very surprised and very disappointed) “우리는 올림픽과 패럴림픽 대회를 온전하게 새로운 방식으로 조직하려는 비전을 제시하였는데 IOC의 새로운 과정은 지속가능하고 경지 효율적이고 민주적인 방식을 지향하는 후보지를 간택하는데 아직 성숙하지 못하고 있음”(We had a vision of being able to organize the Olympics and Paralympics in a completely new way, unfortunately the IOC’s new process was not ripe for a candidacy that wanted to be sustainable, cost-effective and democratic)이라고 볼멘 소리를 하였다고 합니다.
IOC의 동계올림픽담당 FHC의 소견으로는 스웨덴유치후보의 경우 지지와 보증이 흐리멍덩하고(lackluster support and guarantees) 유치를 위한 방해요소들로서 잠재적 수입금이 과장되게 표출되어(identified lackluster support and guarantees, as well as overstated potential revenues as the roadblocks for the bid) 있다고 평가하였다고 합니다.
IOC가 발행한 스웨덴유치에 대한 타당성 평가(feasibility assessment)는 “중앙정부와 Stockholm시가 표명한 지지도 표현을 살펴 보면 다른 이해당사자들이 그들의 지지를 공식화할 경우에만 대회를 지원할 의지가 있다고 자소 모호한 조건부 입장_(conditional expressions of support “with the national government and the City of Stockholm only willing to support the Games if other stakeholders formalize their support”)이었다는 것입니다
따라서 IOC는 “스웨덴 의회의 승인절차가 아직도 필요한 조건부 보증서임. 따라서 FHC는 필수적인 정치적 지지와 관련하여 우려를 표명하는 바임”(The guarantees would still need to be approved by the Parliament. Therefore, the Commission expresses its concerns with regard to essential political support.)이라고 평가하였다고 합니다.
SOC측은 성명서를 통해 “IOC의 메시지는 심지어 유치 3 단계에서 제출해야하는 주된 업무임에도 불구하고 이른 단계에서 재정 보증이 있었어야 한다고 주장하는 것임”(the message from the IOC is that the Swedish bid should have had financial guarantees in place at an earlier stage, even though that work was the largest part of phase three)이라고 불만을 표출하였다고 합니다.
실제로 비공식적인 유치 과정에 포함된 IOC문건에는 타깃 대회(targeted dialogue)에 간택되었거나 3 단계에 진입한 후보들은 2024년 3월말까지 공식보증서를 제출 IOC documents on the informal bid process state that those selected to targeted dialogue – or “phase three” – have until the end of March 2024 to submit formal guarantees)도록 되어 있다고 합니다.
하지만 IOC보고서를 자세히 살펴보면, “공적 당국으로부터 대회개최 보증서확보전략을 미루어 볼 때 보증서가 타깃 대화에 제공되는 것이 FHC에게 확증적 안도감을 제공할 만큼의 실질적 충분 이 결여되어 있음”(The strategy to securing a Games Delivery Guarantee from a public authority was not sufficiently substantiated to provide comfort to the Commission that the guarantee would be provided in Targeted Dialogue)이라고 기술되어 있다고 합니다.
Paris에서 열린 IOC집행위원회 2일차(11월30일/목) 회의 후, IOC올림픽 수석 국장인 Dubi에 따르면 “우리는 그들에게 보증서를 요청하지 않았지만 강령한 수위의 지지 표현을 통해 근본적으로 차별 점을 부각시켜 주기를 원했지만 우리가 원했던 안정감을 제공해 주지 않았으며 정부는 유치 과정을 지지할 것이라는 점에 그쳤다고 볼 수 있음”(We did not ask for the guarantees themselves but a strong expression of support so that is a fundamental distinction, there was nothing that was not provided however we wanted to have the comfort … that the government will be supporting and what the process would be) “우리가 가지고 있는 라인업 사이에서 선택을 해야 할 경우 별도의 기회를 주는 것이 필요하지 않은 것이지만 우리가 판단하는 기술적 작업과 파트너가 대회개최를 할 만한 입장에 있을 것이라는 신뢰할 수 있는 확신 기조에 근거하여 결정을 내리는 것임”(when you have to make a choice between the lineup that we had it’s not necessarily to give extra opportunities but it’s to decide on the basis of what we had and the technical work plus the convictions that we have trusted partners that will be in position to deliver.)이라고 부언하였다고 합니다.
이제 IOC의 프랑스 알프스 지역에 대한 2030년 동계올림픽개최권 부여는 명확해 보이며 향후 IOC의 계획에 의거하여 진행될 것으로 보입니다.
2024년 Paris 올림픽 개막 전에 열리는 IOC총회에서 2030년(French Alps) 및 정부지원 100%와 대중적 지지 80%를 통해 2034년(Salt Lake City) 동계올림픽 개최지 선정을 그대로 강행할 것이며2024년 2월까지 유치서류제출, 3월에 완전한정부보증서 제출이 이루어지면 IOC총회에서 각본대로 무난히 동시 선정이 이루어질 것으로 전망되는 상황입니다
하지만 익숙하던 (1)지속 대화(continuous Dialogue)와 (2)타깃 대화(targeted Dialogue)에 이어 (3)특권적 대화(Privileged Dialogue)라는 용어는 이번이 나온 용어로 생소한 감이 듭니다.
물론 2038년 동계올림픽개최지 후보로서 근본적으로 대기실에 사전에 기존 동계올림픽 경기장의 지속가능성이 안전한 스위스를 염두에 두고 입도선매하는 행위로 보이며 2027년까지 IOC가 요청하는 조건들에 부합할 경우 다시 타깃 대화(Targeted dialogue)방으로 이동함으로 외부에 정식으로 공개하고 등용하는 방식으로 느껴집니다.
유사한 조건과 여건을 갖추고 있는 스웨덴이 2038년 동계올림픽 선호후보리스트에 오르지 못한 이유에 대하여 묻는 기자회견정이 질문에 대하여 IOC임원들은 왜 스웨덴이 아니고 스위스가 특별히 선택 되었는지에 대하여서는 명확한 대답이 나오지 않았다(During press conferences Wednesday and Thursday, the IOC officials were not clear on why Switzerland was given this special consideration and not Sweden)고 합니다.
