December 11, 2014 – On 8th December 2014, the full membership of the IOC unanimously approved the 40 recommendations that make up Olympic Agenda 2020, a strategic roadmap for the future of the Olympic Movement at the 127th IOC Session in Monaco.

Each recommendation, voted on individually, received the full backing of the 96 IOC members in attendance. There were no votes against and no abstentions. As an additional show of unity for Olympic Agenda 2020, the members gave their unanimous support for the entire set of recommendations in an en bloc vote at the close of the meeting.

President Thomas Bach, who initiated the Olympic Agenda 2020 discussions a year-and-a-half ago, thanked the Session on what he described as a “very important and positive day for the IOC and the Olympic Movement.”

“The speed at which Olympic Agenda 2020 was approved showed the great support and determination of the members to make it happen”, President Bach said during a press conference following the meeting. “It was a very, very positive surprise. But it followed over a year of constructive discussions. Some of the recommendations were not easy for certain members to swallow. Some may have hoped for no recommendation or a different recommendation on a specific issue. So it was encouraging that regardless of their individual interests or positions, they were determined to make Olympic Agenda 2020 a success. Speaking of the members, I have a great deal of respect for them to do this.”

FIS actively contributed to the process by sending in a submission to Olympic Agenda 2020 and through President Gian Franco Kasper who was in three key Working Groups: for the Bidding Procedure, Procedure for the composition of the Olympic Programme and the Olympic TV Channel, whilst Secretary General Sarah Lewis was in the Working Group for Sustainability and Legacy.

IOC Extends Board Membership for FIS President Gian Franco Kasper Through 2018

On 9th December, the IOC Session approved a proposal from the IOC Executive Board, in consultation with the IOC Nominations Commission, for the extension of the term of IOC membership for FIS President Gian Franco Kasper until the end of his term of presidency in June 2018.

President Thomas Bach stated in announcing the decision that it was important for the IOC to retain Gian Franco Kasper’s great experience and knowledge, not only in winter sports but the Olympic Movement as a whole.

The decision follows the approval of Olympic Agenda 2020 Recommendation 37, which states: “The IOC Session, upon the recommendation of the IOC Executive Board, may decide a one-time extension of an IOC member’s term of office for a maximum of four years, beyond the current age limit of 70.”

Gian Franco Kasper, who is also the President of the Association of International Olympic Winter Sports Federations (AIOWF), was set to retire from the IOC due to the age limit at midnight on 31st December.

Gian Franco Kasper commented: “I thank the IOC President and the IOC membership for their trust and hope that I can be useful in the implementation of the decisions that have been taken with regards to Olympic Agenda 2020, not only in winter sports but for the entire Olympic movement as such.”