The IOC Session is the general meeting of the members of the IOC. It is the supreme organ of the IOC. The Session adopts, modifies and interprets the Olympic Charter and its decisions are final. While the Session may delegate powers to the Executive Board (EB), all important decisions are taken by the Session, which votes on proposals put forward by the EB. If the EB can be considered the "government" of the IOC, the Session is the "parliament".
The Session is held at least once a year, often over a two- or three-day period. In the years when Olympic Games take place, the Session traditionally precedes them. An extraordinary Session can be convened upon the initiative of the IOC President, or on the written request of at least one third of the IOC members.
The Session is held at least once a year, often over a two- or three-day period. In the years when Olympic Games take place, the Session traditionally precedes them. An extraordinary Session can be convened upon the initiative of the IOC President, or on the written request of at least one third of the IOC members.
Mission
The main prerogatives of the IOC Session are the following:
- It elects the host city of the Olympic Games, seven years before they are held.
- It elects the IOC President, Vice-Presidents, the other members of the Executive Board and – on the latter’s proposal – IOC members.
- It decides upon modifications to the Olympic Charter.
- It decides on the inclusion or exclusion of a sport on the programme of the Olympic Games.
- It decides on the recognition (or exclusion) of International Federations, National Olympic Committees or any other sports organisation which submits a request.
- It decides on the cities which will host forthcoming Sessions (the President decides on the location of Extraordinary Sessions).
- It approves the reports and accounts of the IOC.
Procedures
The following main procedures are applicable for the decisions taken by the IOC Session:
- The President, or, in his absence, the longest-serving Vice-President present chairs the Session.
- The quorum required for a Session is half the total membership of the IOC, plus one.
- Each member has a vote, and voting by proxy is not allowed. Abstentions and spoiled or blank votes are not counted.
- In general, an IOC member must abstain from participating in a vote when it concerns a city (Olympic Games, Session, Congress), a person (IOC member) or any other matter from his or her country / NOC.
- The decisions are taken by the majority of votes cast. However, a majority of two-thirds of the members present at the Session is required for any modification to the Fundamental Principles and Rules of the Olympic Charter.
- The election of a host city must take place in a country not having a candidate for the Olympic Games in question.
- A city is declared elected when it obtains the majority of the votes cast. If there is no majority, the city with the fewest votes is eliminated, and IOC members proceed to another round of voting. The procedure is repeated until an absolute majority is obtained.
- The President, the Vice-Presidents and the Executive Board members are elected by the Session, in a secret ballot, by the majority of the votes cast. If there is no majority, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and the IOC members proceed to another round of voting. Abstentions are not taken into account, nor are spoiled or blank votes. The procedure is repeated until an absolute majority is obtained.
Upcoming session
The 127th IOC Session will be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This session will determine the host city of the 2020 Winter Youth Olympic Games and the 2022 Olympic Winter Games.
Click the button below to see the the 2022 Candidature Acceptance procedure.
Click the button below to see the the 2022 Candidature Acceptance procedure.