The IOC is currently composed of 110 members, including President Thomas Bach, each being elected by the IOC Session by the majority of the votes cast.
Meanwhile, the IPC has 14 members elected at the General Assembly and forming the Governing Board.
Meanwhile, the IPC has 14 members elected at the General Assembly and forming the Governing Board.
Roles and responsibilities
IOC members
The IOC members, natural persons, are representatives of the IOC in their respective countries, and not their country’s delegate within the IOC. As stated in the Olympic Charter:
Members of the IOC represent and promote the interests of the IOC and of the Olympic Movement in their countries and in the organisations of the Olympic Movement in which they serve
-Olympic Charter 2013, Rule 16
The IOC members meet at the general assembly, or Session, which is the organisation’s supreme organ, and whose decisions are final.
The IOC members are elected for a period of eight years, and their mandate can be renewed.
The age limit fixed is 70 years old, except for members co-opted between 1966 and 1999, for whom the age limit is 80.
The members meet every year at the IOC Session in order to take decisions concerning the institution and the Olympic Games, such as the election of the host cities of the Games, changes to the Olympic Charter, election of the IOC President, Vice-Presidents, and members of the Executive Board, as well as the cooptation of new members.
The IOC members are elected for a period of eight years, and their mandate can be renewed.
The age limit fixed is 70 years old, except for members co-opted between 1966 and 1999, for whom the age limit is 80.
The members meet every year at the IOC Session in order to take decisions concerning the institution and the Olympic Games, such as the election of the host cities of the Games, changes to the Olympic Charter, election of the IOC President, Vice-Presidents, and members of the Executive Board, as well as the cooptation of new members.
IPC Governing Board
For IPC, the Governing Board is representative of the IPC Membership and responsible for the implementation of policies and directions set by the General Assembly. It meets at least three times a year and meeting are chaired by the President.
The Governing Board is primarily responsible for the implementation of policies and directions set by the General Assembly. Additionally, the Governing Board provides recommendations on membership (conditions for membership and fees) to the General Assembly, including motions received from members. It is also responsible for approving budgets and audited accounts, IPC rules and regulations, membership of IPC Committees and the Paralympic Games.
The Governing Board is elected every four years and members can serve a maximum of three terms.
The Governing Board is primarily responsible for the implementation of policies and directions set by the General Assembly. Additionally, the Governing Board provides recommendations on membership (conditions for membership and fees) to the General Assembly, including motions received from members. It is also responsible for approving budgets and audited accounts, IPC rules and regulations, membership of IPC Committees and the Paralympic Games.
The Governing Board is elected every four years and members can serve a maximum of three terms.
IOC Presidents
The IOC President is elected by the members of the organisation by a secret ballot. Only one IOC member can be elected to the presidency. Their mandate is of eight years, renewable once for four years. The IOC President is the IOC’s permanent representative and presides over all its activities.
IOC Vice-Presidents
The IOC Vice-Presidents are elected by the Session. The duration of their mandate is limited to four years. The three Vice-Presidents are:
- Nawal El Moutawakel (MAR);
- Craig Reedie (GBR);
- John Coates (AUS).
IOC Honorary Presidents, IOC Honorary Members and IOC Honour Members
An IOC member may be elected as Honorary President if they have rendered exceptional services as President of the IOC. Currently, Count Jacques Rogge is Honorary President.
Equally, any member who retires after serving the IOC for at least 10 years and having rendered exceptional services to it may be elected as an honorary member of the IOC. There are currently 32 honorary members of the IOC.
Finally, the Session can elect honour members from personalities outside the IOC who have rendered particularly special services to it. There is currently one honour member.
The honorary members and the honour member do not have the right to vote at the IOC Session.
Equally, any member who retires after serving the IOC for at least 10 years and having rendered exceptional services to it may be elected as an honorary member of the IOC. There are currently 32 honorary members of the IOC.
Finally, the Session can elect honour members from personalities outside the IOC who have rendered particularly special services to it. There is currently one honour member.
The honorary members and the honour member do not have the right to vote at the IOC Session.
IPC Honorary Board
On the other hand, the IPC Honorary Board brings together leaders of society who support the Paralympic Movement's vision and strive to maintain the issue of sport for persons with an impairment high on the agenda of the global community. Honorary Board Members assist the IPC in creating opportunities for raising awareness and funding, through the Member’s network of contacts and sphere of influence.
IOC Members Current Composition
The members are elected as independent individuals, active athletes or presidents or persons with an executive or leadership function within an International Federation (IF) or National Olympic Committee (NOC).
Rule 16 of the Olympic Charter defines the composition of the IOC, including member eligibility and numbers. For the representatives of IFs and NOCs, there can be no more than 15 members for each of these families.
The IOC members elected as active athletes are also members of the Athletes’ Commission. There cannot be more than 15 of these members. The majority of the members of this Commission are elected by the athletes taking part in the Olympic Games.
Rule 16 of the Olympic Charter defines the composition of the IOC, including member eligibility and numbers. For the representatives of IFs and NOCs, there can be no more than 15 members for each of these families.
The IOC members elected as active athletes are also members of the Athletes’ Commission. There cannot be more than 15 of these members. The majority of the members of this Commission are elected by the athletes taking part in the Olympic Games.
A sporting past
Forty-one current IOC members have competed at the Olympic Games, and 28 of them have won medals.
IOC President Thomas Bach competed in one edition of the Games in fencing and won a gold medal (foil team in Montreal in 1976).
IOC President Thomas Bach competed in one edition of the Games in fencing and won a gold medal (foil team in Montreal in 1976).
Election criteria for IOC Members - Co-optation
The IOC Nominations Commission, comprising of at least one representative of the IOC Ethics Commission and one representative of the IOC Athletes’ Commission, examines each candidature file and forwards them in the form of a report to the IOC Executive Board, the only competent organ to propose a candidate to the Session.
The Session is the only competent organ to elect an IOC member. The election is held by secret ballot, and the decisions are taken according to the majority of the votes cast. This type of appointment of members by members is known as cooptation.
The Session is the only competent organ to elect an IOC member. The election is held by secret ballot, and the decisions are taken according to the majority of the votes cast. This type of appointment of members by members is known as cooptation.
Voting Methods
So that a vote can take place, the quorum is set at half the total number of IOC members, plus one. Each IOC member can cast one vote in a vote during the Session. Except in the event of a modification to the fundamental principles of Olympism or the Olympic Charter, the decisions are taken by the majority of votes cast.
The Members of the IOC
Members
* Executive board member
** Olympic medallist
Honorary Presidents
Name | Country | Year of election | Games participation |
---|---|---|---|
Count Jacques ROGGE | BEL | 1991 | 1968/72/76 |
Honorary Members
Honour Members
Name | Country | Year of election | Games participation |
---|---|---|---|
Mr Henry KISSINGER | USA | 2000 |
The IPC Governing Board
President | Sir Philip Craven (GBR) |
Vice President | Andrew Parsons (BRA) |
Member | Mohamed Alhameli (UAE) |
Member | Ann Cody (USA) |
Member | Rita van Driel (NED) |
Member | Patrick Jarvis (CAN) |
Member | Duane Kale (NZL) |
Member | Jairus Mogalo (KEN) |
Member | Kyung-won Na (KOR) |
Member | John Petersson (DEN) |
Member | Miguel Sagarra (ESP) |
Member | Yasushi Yamawaki (JPN) |
Athletes' Representative* | Todd Nicholson (CAN) |
Chief Executive Officer** | Xavier Gonzalez (ESP) |
Co-opted Member*** | Bernard Bourigeaud (FRA) |
The IPC Honorary Board
Name | Title |
---|---|
HRH Princess Margriet of the Netherlands | Member of the Royal Family of the Netherlands |
HRH Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg | Wife of the Sovereign of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg |
HRH Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden | Member of the Royal Family of Sweden |
HSH Prince Albert of Monaco | Sovereign of Monaco |
James Wolfensohn | Former President of the World Bank |
Maria Guleghina | Opera singer (Soprano) |
HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein | Member of Royal Family of Jordan |
Therese Rein | Founder of Ingeus |
Hassan Ali Bin Ali | Paralymic Ambassador from Qatar |
HRH Princess Astrid of Belgium | Member of the Royal Family in Belgium |