International Olympic Committee

The IOC, UN Women, UNESCO, P&G and NBC Sports are changing the conversation about women in sport

International Olympic Committee Press Release

March 15, 2018

On the margins of the 62^nd Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), UN Women, UNESCO, Procter & Gamble and NBC hosted an event focusing on “Racing Towards Gender Equality: The media’s portrayal of women athletes and its effects on women’s participation in sports” on Wednesday 14 March.

The event, moderated by acclaimed NBC Sports commentator Andrea Joyce, brought together athletes, gender equality experts, public and private sector representatives, media, and other Olympic Movement stakeholders to highlight the importance of balanced media portrayal in ensuring equal representation of women and men in sports. Featured speakers included Donna de Varona – two-time Olympic gold medallist in swimming, Emmy-winning sports broadcaster, activist and IOC Women in Sport Commission member – as well as Maia Shibutani – two-time Olympic bronze medallist, three-time World Championship medallist and two-time US national champion in ice dancing.

“We are all here to change the conversation about women in sport,” said IOC Strategic Communications Director and event host Rebecca Lowell Edwards. “We cannot truly be ‘Faster, Higher, Stronger’ when half of us are not proportionally represented on the playing field, in an official uniform, in commissions and federations, or with a coach’s whistle. We know progress will take a true team effort, and that’s why we joined together today with wonderful partners, each with a superb track record of empowering women and girls around the world.”

The event continued with perspectives from Donna de Varona and Maia Shibutani, leading Olympic athletes from two different generations. Both athletes expressed hope for the future of women in sport, highlighting the progress that has been made to remove barriers, and the need to do more. “I’ve been fortunate to have my brother as my skating partner,” commented Shibutani. “As soon as we step on the ice as a team, we know we are on an even playing field and respect each other. Having that support is amazing, and that’s what the standard should be.”

“This discussion has been happening for a very long time and now is the time to act,” added de Varona. “We need a platform that drives this agenda, and the Olympic Movement is filling that void today. We’ve done great in the field of play, but need to do the same in leadership and decision-making.”

The athletes’ discussion was followed by a panel featuring gender equality champions from public and private sector partners, including Khetsiwe Dlamini, UN Women Chief of Staff and acting Director of the Strategic Partnerships Division; Marc S. Pritchard, Chief Brand Officer, Procter & Gamble; and Saniye Gülser Corat, Director of the Division of Gender Equality, UNESCO.

“We want to see Planet 50-50 – a gender-equal world - by 2030, which is the target date for the Sustainable Development Goals,” said Dlamini. “The race to gender equality by 2030 is enabled by sport. It's a race against poverty, hunger, lack of access to health, education and leadership. It's a race toward gender equality. It's urgent that we finish the race. This means equal opportunities to play, equal pay, and equal representation of women and girls in sport. With the IOC, we make an unstoppable team.”

Representing one of the leading private sector advocates for women’s empowerment, Pritchard talked about how P&G uses its advertising power to help eliminate gender bias. “We as a company decided to make a real difference in gender equality because we believe there should be equal representation, equal jobs, equal pay, equal respect,” he explained. “That’s when we committed to use our voice in advertising as a way to promote gender equality. Our goal is Ads can be a force for good because they can promote positive conversations, influence attitudes, and change behaviour to help make our world a better place. And, when the world is more equal, it leads to more growth.”

“Only four per cent of sports media content is devoted to women’s sports, and only 12 per cent of sports news is presented by women,” continued Corat. “Sports coverage is hugely powerful in shaping norms and stereotypes about gender. The media has the ability to challenge these norms, covering more women’s competitions and training, including more women as sports broadcasters, and promoting a fair portrayal of sportspeople irrespective of gender.”

The IOC has put gender equality at the centre of its mission and made great strides in advancing gender parity in the sporting arena and beyond. Today, more female athletes participate in the Olympic Games than ever before. As an example, the first edition of the Olympic Winter Games in Chamonix in 1924 featured just 13 women, all of them figure skaters. Almost a century later, at PyeongChang 2018, a record 1,242 female athletes were in action, making up 42 per cent of all the competitors. Recently, the IOC Executive Board approved 25 key recommendations from the IOC Gender Equality Review Project, which focus on changing the conversation about women in sport holistically – from participation to representation and decision-making.

“The 25 recommendations are right on point in getting us to where we want to be,” said de Varona. “But change doesn’t come from just putting a policy out there. We need to make sure they are implemented successfully.”

IOC’s event partners are also at the forefront of efforts to eliminate gender barriers using the power of sport. Among UN Women’s many initiatives, “One Win Leads to Another” builds the leadership skills of adolescent girls through quality sports programmes, improving their ability to influence decisions that impact their lives at all levels. P&G works with athletes and organisations globally, and creates ground-breaking campaigns like #LoveOverBias to spark conversations and raise greater awareness about gender equality.

Through its involvement in the #SeeHer campaign, NBC Sports is committed to celebrating America’s female athletes and increasing their visibility across its platforms. On World Radio Day 2018, UNESCO and radio stations globally called for fairer coverage of sportswomen through their #HerMomentsMatter campaign, and are continuing the call through their Women Make the News initiative Her Headline.

To watch key highlights from the 14 March event on media and gender equality, visit https://www.facebook.com/unwomen.

To learn more about the IOC’s efforts in advancing gender equality, go to the IOC Gender Equality E-Platform. To participate in the social media conversation, use the hash tags #RacingtoGenderEquality and #IOCGenderEquality.

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IOC

The International Olympic Committee was created in 1894 and remains committed over 100 years later to building a better world through sport. With the release of its latest report of the IOC Gender Equality Project and 25 Recommendations, the IOC continues to address the challenges of creating greater access and opportunities for women and girls to participate in sport, and thus ensure dialogue, action and change through gender equality.

UN Women

UN Women is the UN organisation dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. A global champion for women and girls, UN Women also coordinates and promotes the UN system’s work in advancing gender equality, and in all deliberations and agreements linked to the 2030 Agenda, working to position gender equality as fundamental to the Sustainable Development Goals and a more inclusive world.

UNESCO

UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) is responsible for coordinating international cooperation in key areas to build peace in the minds of men and women. Gender equality is a global priority for UNESCO and inextricably linked to its efforts to promote free, independent and pluralistic media, including gender equality in media operations and content.

P&G

P&G (Procter and Gamble) serves consumers in over 180 countries around the world with one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands. With operations in 70 countries and a Worldwide Olympic Partner, P&G is working with athletes and organisations globally to help create a better world – free from gender bias and with an equal voice and equal representation for women and men – by using its voice, influence, reach and ground-breaking campaigns like #LoveOverBias to spark conversations and raise greater awareness about gender equality.

NBC Sports Group

NBC Sports Group serves sports fans 24/7 with premier live events, insightful studio shows, and compelling original programming. The sports media company consists of NBC Sports, NBC Olympics, NBCSN, Golf Channel, NBC Sports Regional Networks, NBC Sports Radio and NBC Sports Digital, which includes NBCSports.com, NBCOlympics.com, GolfChannel.com, the digital assets of the NBC Sports Regional Networks, Rotoworld, the NBC Sports Talk franchise, multiple apps, and two transactional sports businesses, GolfNow and SportsEngine.

Commonwealth Games Federation prepares to include The Gambia at Gold Coast 2018

12/03/2018, International, Multi Sports, Commonwealth Games Federation, Article # 26048838

Media Release

Commonwealth Games Federation prepares to include The Gambia at Gold Coast 2018

MEDIA RELEASE EMBARGOED UNTIL 00.01 (UK) MONDAY 12 MARCH 2018

Sports leaders from across the Commonwealth will be encouraged to welcome and approve the reintroduction of The Gambia to the Commonwealth Games Federation at its General Assembly on Australia’s Gold Coast on 31 March. The move - which follows the Commonwealth Secretariat’s announcement on 8 February that the African nation had been reinstated - would see six athletes approved for participation at the upcoming Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Commonwealth Games Federation President Louise Martin CBE said: “Following The Gambia’s welcome return to the Commonwealth, announced last month, we have raced against the clock to put forward a resolution at our upcoming General Assembly – in line with our Constitution – to approve the nation’s application to re-join the Commonwealth Games Federation. The prospect of The Gambia’s return to the Commonwealth Games is an exciting one and continues the momentum that is currently with the Commonwealth. I urge all our members to carefully consider the proposed resolution and pave the way for Team Gambia to compete on the Gold Coast in just 22 days’ time. To bring The Gambia back into the Commonwealth Games family would be a great achievement at a hugely exciting and significant time for our resurgent Commonwealth.”

The Gambian Government withdrew from the Commonwealth in October 2013, therefore missing the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. However, the nation’s new Prime Minister, Adama Barrow, elected in December 2016, swiftly re-applied to join the voluntary association of nations and territories committed to democracy, development and human rights.

A Gambian team last participated at the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games, fielding athletes in Athletics, Boxing and Wrestling. Their first and only Games medal was a bronze in High Jump won by Sheikh Tidiane Faye on their very first Games outing in Edinburgh 1970. Gold Coast 2018 would be The Gambia’s 11th Games appearance and, upon approval at the General Assembly, the Gambia National Olympic Committee will act as the Commonwealth Games Association (CGA).

Gambia National Olympic Committee President, Dodou. J. Joof said: “Since the formal announcement from the Government and Commonwealth Secretariat in February, we have been working closely with the Commonwealth Games Federation to explore and approve the participation of Team Gambia at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. We appreciate that it is a last-minute dash, but the opportunity for our athletes to compete at the Games on the world stage on the Gold Coast is just too important to miss. We thank everyone for their support and look forward to a positive decision on 31 March. In the meantime, all our efforts are focused on selecting and preparing six athletes in readiness for competition in Australia”.

Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Chairman Peter Beattie said: “GOLDOC is pleased to welcome The Gambia back into the Commonwealth and even more pleased to have a team represented on the Gold Coast in April. The diversity of the Commonwealth is what makes the Games so special, so it is great to have another wonderful African nation competing. In a matter of weeks, we will be welcoming teams into the Athletes Village and I personally look forward to welcoming Gambia's athletes”.

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CGF announces Gold Coast 2018 will be the most gender equal major multi-sports event in history

09/03/2018, International, Multi Sports, Commonwealth Games Federation, Article # 26017372

Media Release

CGF announces Gold Coast 2018 will be the most gender equal major multi-sports event in history

Gender parity in the number of medal events between women and men for first time ever: 133 Women’s events; 133 Men’s events; 9 Mixed/Open events

Basketball, Hockey and Swimming to feature over 50% female Technical Officials: a first in international sport

Launch of first Women’s Coaching Internship Programme will build women’s coaching capacity across Commonwealth

For immediate release, 8 March 2018

With just four weeks to go until the start of Gold Coast 2018, and to mark International Women’s Day, the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) today announced that the XXI edition of the Commonwealth Games will be the most gender equal in major multi-sport event history.

Equal Medals for Women and Men
For the first time ever, there will be an equal number of women’s and men’s medal events at a Commonwealth Games. As a core part of the CGF’s far-reaching gender equality strategy, the Federation approved seven additional women’s event categories to the Gold Coast 2018 sports programme to ensure that men and women compete for an equal number of medals (133 women’s events; 133 men’s events; 9 mixed/open events). The strategy, launched at the 2016 CGF General Assembly in Edmonton, Canada, strives to ensure that women and girls are equally represented, recognised and served across all areas of the Commonwealth Sports Movement. It also sets the benchmark for gender equality standards seen anywhere in international sport.

Louise Martin, President of the CGF said: “International Women’s Day is the right time to reflect on how far we have come with gender equality and how far we still have to go to ensure real balance and fairness in both sport and society. The Commonwealth Sports Movement is proud to be setting the pace for equal gender representation and opportunity in sport, by ensuring that an equal number of medals will be up for grabs at Gold Coast 2018 for women and med. With significant steps forward like this, we believe our unwavering commitment to gender equality is a core value that differentiates the Commonwealth Games from any other international sports movement. Indeed, it is our committed work in areas such as gender equality that make the Commonwealth and Commonwealth Sports Movement more relevant than ever before.”

Gender Parity of Technical Officials
For the first time at a major international multi-sport event, the International Federations for Basketball, Hockey and Swimming have confirmed that at least 50% of their technical officials presiding over the sporting action will be women. The announcement supports the collective mission of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF), the Gold Coast 2018 Organising Corporation (GOLDOC) and its international sporting stakeholders to ensure the that the Games set an international benchmark as the most gender-equal multi-sports event ever seen.

David Grevemberg, Chief Executive Officer of the CGF said: “As a Movement, we are proud to be leading the way in international sport for gender equality. I think we all agree we need to do more to redress the imbalances for women and girls in sport, leadership and society. I am delighted that our committed partners at FIBA, FIH and FINA have joined the CGF to lead the way in sport and ensure a level playing field for women technical officials at Gold Coast 2018. It is also pleasing to see so many other sports make such positive strides to allow more women than ever to preside over sports officiating and judging at the Games”.

The largest jump in female technical officials comes in Rugby Sevens, which will see the number of women officiating at Gold Coast’s Robina Stadium increase to 33% compared to 5% at Glasgow 2014*. A number of other sports have also achieved major progress with significantly more women represented across their pool of technical officials. Wrestling has increased its number of female technical officials from 13% to 32%, whilst increases for other sports include: Lawn Bowls from 28% to 42%; Rhythmic Gymnastics from 86% to 100%; Badminton from 32% to 41%; Triathlon from 33% to 42%; Weightlifting from 34% to 43%; Para Powerlifting from 32% to 39%; Table Tennis from 26% to 32%; and Boxing from 13% to 18%.

As another key component of the Gender Equality Strategy, the number of men officiating at Diving, Netball and Artistic Gymnastics will also increase from 28% to 41%, 21% to 28% and 47% to 53% respectively. The strategy also recognises that longer-term partnerships will be required to develop and ensure the availability of more women technical officials across many sports within the Commonwealth, particularly from smaller nations and territories.

Women’s Coaching Internship Programme
The CGF has also implemented its Women Coaching Internship Programme for Gold Coast 2018. A central part of the CGF’s Gender Equality Strategy, the Women’s Coaching Internship Programme will help build women’s coaching capacity across the Commonwealth, and in turn stand to benefit athletes from all Commonwealth countries and territories.

Under the innovative programme, Commonwealth Games Associations (CGAs), in partnership with one of their National Sports Organisations (NSOs), will have the opportunity to fully integrate an aspiring female coach in their Gold Coast 2018 coaching team. As such, the CGF has reserved 20 quota positions and travel grants for the programme at the Games.

In addition to the recruitment of technical officials, equality of medal opportunities and promotion of coaching opportunities, the CGF Gender Equality Strategy supports and influences the participation and representation of women and girls across broadcast and media, marketing initiatives, volunteering and governance at the 2018 Games and beyond.

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Sir Roger Bannister – a true giant of Commonwealth Sport

08/03/2018, International, Multi Sports, Commonwealth Games Federation, Article # 26007324

The Commonwealth Column

Sir Roger Bannister – a true giant of Commonwealth Sport

By Louise Martin CBE, CGF President

Everyone across the Commonwealth Sports Movement was deeply saddened to learn of the passing on Saturday of Sir Roger Bannister at the age of 88 at his home in Oxfordshire, England. Roger’s name will forever be synonymous with the Commonwealth and Commonwealth Sport thanks to his part in “the Miracle Mile” - an historic race at the V British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Vancouver, Canada in 1954, which saw Roger and the Australian, John Landy – who at that time remember were the only two sub-four-minute runners in the world - fight to the finish line.

Rightfully, Bannister’s defeat of his Australian rival on the last bend of “the Miracle Mile” – in a time of three minutes, 58.8 seconds - has gone down in athletics history. Indeed, his achievement only a couple of months earlier in becoming the first athlete to run a sub-four-minute mile – in three minutes, 59.4 seconds at Iffley Road sports ground in Oxford on May 6, 1954 – became one of the great feats of the twentieth century. Roger’s achievement was all the more remarkable as it followed minimal training and was recorded whilst he was practising as a junior doctor.

As a person, Roger was not only good fun but he was great to talk to. Full of stories, life and laughter, I enjoyed the wisdom and wit he displayed on the handful of occasions that I met him. He was a true gentleman; he carried no airs and graces and was liked by all whom he came into contact with. I particularly remember one occasion, many years ago, having a coffee with Chris Chataway – who had paced with Roger to the first sub-four-minute mile in 1954 – and it quickly became apparent from chatting to Chris, who of course knew Roger so well, just how funny and amusing a person Roger was.

As I often say, the Commonwealth is a movement brimming with captivating stories of human feat and endeavour - in fact the Commonwealth excels, and one could argue is somewhat unique, in telling these kinds of stories – and, in my view, there is no greater Commonwealth sporting story than that of Sir Roger Bannister. It is no exaggeration to say that Roger was a true ‘giant’ of Commonwealth sport and an icon of international athletics.

I know I speak for many colleagues and partners from across the Commonwealth when I say how saddened I was by the news of his passing. Given his feat on the west coast of Canada in 1954, the Commonwealth is a family with which he will forever be synonymous and inextricably linked. Roger, quite literally, set the pace for all sportsmen and women worldwide, and he will be greatly missed by his peers, friends and the entire athletics community. He was undoubtedly an inspiration to us all, young and old.

When the Commonwealth Sports Movement gathers on the Gold Coast, Australia to celebrate the XXI Commonwealth Games in just under 30 days’ time, Roger will be well and truly missed, but, as the man who broke the four-minute-mile, he will be proudly remembered for years to come.

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IOC Statement

01/03/2018, International, Multi Sports, International Olympic Committee, Article # 25935367

International Olympic Committee Press Release

February 28, 2018

IOC Statement

The final notification of all remaining test results from the Olympic Athlete from Russia (OAR) delegation has been received from the Doping-Free Sport Unit (DFSU).

The IOC can confirm that all the remaining results are negative.

Therefore, as stated in the Executive Board decision of 25th February the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee is automatically lifted with immediate effect.

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PyeongChang Olympians elect two new members to IOC Athletes’ Commission

23/02/2018, International, Multi Sports, International Olympic Committee, Article # 25875928

International Olympic Committee Press Release

February 22, 2018

PyeongChang Olympians elect two new members to IOC Athletes’ Commission

Emma Terho from Finland (ice hockey) and Kikkan Randall from USA (cross-country skiing) have been elected to the International Olympic Committee (IOC)’s Athletes’ Commission by their fellow Olympians at the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018.

With a record participation rate of 83.86 per cent, athletes at the Olympic Winter Games made their way to the voting booths in the Athlete365 Space in both the PyeongChang and Gangneung Olympic Villages to cast their votes. Terho was elected with 1,045 votes, followed by Randall with 831 votes.

For the full list of results, click here.

The announcement was made today at the Olympic Village by IOC Executive Board Member and Chair of the Election Committee Nicole Hoevertsz, Swedish IOC Athletes’ Commission member Stefan Holm and IOC Sports Director Kit McConnell.

Terho represented Finland at five Olympic Winter Games, winning bronze at Nagano 1998 and Vancouver 2010. Randall, meanwhile, is currently competing in her fifth Winter Games in PyeongChang. Earlier this week, she won the USA's first-ever Olympic gold medal in cross-country skiing, after topping the podium in the team sprint event alongside Jessica Diggins.

Following approval by the IOC Session, to take place on the last day of the Games, Terho and Randall will become Commission and IOC Members for an eight-year term, representing their fellow Olympians on the IOC Athletes’ Commission, which serves as a link between the athletes and the IOC.

They will replace current IOC Athletes’ Commission Chair Angela Ruggiero and Adam Pengilly, whose terms are finishing following their election at the Olympic Winter Games Vancouver 2010.

All 2,930 athletes competing in PyeongChang were eligible to vote and had six candidates to choose from representing three continents and five different sports. They were asked to cast votes for two different athletes from two different sports.

Prior to the start of the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018, Kirsty Coventry was appointed as the incoming Chair of the Athletes’ Commission following a vote of confidence from her fellow members.

Coventry has been a member of the IOC Athletes’ Commission since 2012, and has played a significant role in developing the Commission’s new strategy, which was presented by the current Chair, Angela Ruggiero, at the International Athletes’ Forum last November.

Also confirmed recently was the appointment of Danka Bartekova as the Vice Chair of the Commission. Bartekova has been instrumental in the delivery of Athlete365, a new overarching brand that brings together all the IOC athlete-focused communication strands.

Visit: www.olympic.org/athlete365 to learn more

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The Commonwealth’s ability to captivate us

12/02/2018, International, Multi Sports, Commonwealth Games Federation, Article # 25769592

The Commonwealth Column

The Commonwealth’s ability to captivate us

By David Grevemberg CBE, CGF Chief Executive Officer

As the temperature dips to minus 8 degrees and the Pyeongchang Olympic Winter Games gets into full swing, you could be forgiven for feeling a world away from Australia’s Gold Coast, which is currently basking in a balmy 28 degrees and warm sunshine. Tomorrow, however, marks just 50-days-to-go until the Games.

What is it that unites these two major international sporting events? The answer is simple. Whilst the lead up to any Games can sometimes feel dominated by logistics, politics, and a lot of background noise, it is the athletes and teams, and the inspiring stories of how and why they choose to wear their national flag on the global sporting stage which truly captures the public imagination. It is the athletes and teams who create defining moments that fill us with adrenaline, pride and ambition. In this age of multi-million-dollar commercial sport, it is the human stories – the likes of which dominate the Commonwealth Games on a regular basis – that grab our attention and pull on our heartstrings.

At the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games, there are 15 Commonwealth nations and territories competing, fielding over 350 athletes: from Australia, Canada, Bermuda, Ghana, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Malaysia, Malta, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Singapore, Tonga and United Kingdom (who compete under the British flag, rather than the component nations and territories of England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man as they do at the Commonwealth Games).

It is no surprise that many of the human stories of commitment, determination and passion are Commonwealth stories, for it is the diverse and dynamic Commonwealth of Nations that has these stories in abundance and tells them so well. The inspiring women of the Nigerian bobsleigh team (Seun Adigun, Akuoma Omeoga and Ngozi Onwumere) making sporting history; the first-ever Ghanian skeleton athlete, Akwasi Frimpong, racing down an icy mountain at 90 miles per hour, telling CNN, “I can motivate kids in Ghana to chase their dreams”; and the former youth-worker and Rio 2016 star Pita Taufatofua who turned from Taekwando to the hardest sport he can find on the snow-less Pacific island of Tonga, cross-country skiing.

Gold Coast 2018, starting in just over 50 days’ time, will be no different. Some of the coldest corners of the Commonwealth – such as the Canadian capital, Ottawa, where the thermometer has been lingering in the minus twenties for days - will stake their claim for greatness as the sun beats down on the Games’ inaugural beach volleyball court; the youngest-ever competitor for Team Wales, and possibly even the Games themselves, Anna Hursey, will take time off school, having qualified to represent her country, aged just 11, in table tennis; the Jamaicans will field their first ever team in the ever-increasingly popular Rugby Sevens; Ugandan women athletes will make sporting history, representing their country for the first time ever at a Commonwealth Games in Netball.

The Commonwealth excels, and one could argue is somewhat unique, in telling these kinds of stories and moments. As the national anthems are played, the flags are carried and raised, it is impossible not to be swept up in the emotion of Commonwealth athletes representing their country, from the smallest Commonwealth member, Nauru, which has a population of just 10,000, to the largest country, India, with over 1.2 billion people.

To these and all Commonwealth Athletes, sport is far more than just competition. Sport connects them – and all of us – with dreams, goals and aspirations for ourselves, our families and our communities. The teams of athletes are a microcosm of the Commonwealth itself. The team colours and flags Commonwealth Athletes wear with pride in competition mark them out as the world’s most diverse fraternity of nations, territories and people. They are the vanguard of a great movement whose purpose has been carried and shared across decades, across generations and across borders.

Through their drive to achieve greatness for themselves, their teams and their loved ones, Commonwealth Athletes stir ambitions and dreams in all of us. On behalf of the entire Commonwealth Sports Movement, the CGF wishes all Commonwealth athletes our very best at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games this week and next; we will support and watch the Commonwealth athletes with pride in what is a truly Commonwealth year. For it is how Commonwealth Athletes make us feel that inspires us to act. They drive the ambition and power of all Commonwealth citizens through sport.

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Winning medal design to light up Buenos Aires 2018

01/02/2018, International, Multi Sports, International Olympic Committee, Article # 25657954

International Olympic Committee Press Release

January 31, 2018

Winning medal design to light up Buenos Aires 2018

The winning entry of the International Olympic Committee (IOC)'s Medal Design Competition for the Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires 2018 has been chosen. It was submitted by 18-year-old Muhamad Farid Husen from Indonesia, and is entitled "Fireworks of Victory".

Chosen from close to 300 entries from over 50 nations, from Algeria to Venezuela, the winning design was picked by a panel of judges made up of Young Change-Makers, Young Reporters and IOC Members.

Medal Design Competition winner Muhamad Farid Husen commented on his win: "It is really an honour for me to be a little part of Youth Olympic Games. I can't describe how my feeling is…being the designer of the medals which is used by all the winners of the Youth Olympics is an honour for me. My dream came true."

He said of his design: "This medal was inspired by fireworks. Fireworks representing the excitement and the glory of the Youth Olympic Games where all nations come together as one to participate and celebrate. Fireworks fly to the sky, giving the reflection of how the young athletes are reaching their dreams."

IOC Member and Olympian, judge Aya Medany commented: "Muhamad's design really touched my heart as an athlete. The most important thing is to celebrate after winning, and it's nothing better than to celebrate with fireworks. It's also amazing to have the winner the same age as the participants in the YOG."

Competition judge and Young Change-Maker, Emily A. Yeh said: "The winning design gives an energetic feel with unlimited possibilities, which is also what we hope to see from the YOG athletes and the young generation."

Fellow judge and Young Change-Maker, Nina Balaban said: "This has been an amazing project. [It is] empowering the young artists to spread their wings and learn more about the Olympic values."

Winner Muhamad, the youngest-ever entrant to win the competition since the first edition in 2010, will attend the Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires 2018, including the Opening Ceremony, and witness first-hand athletes being awarded medals featuring his design. In addition, he will receive his own set of medals and a Samsung tablet.

The judges also selected two runner-up designs. In second place was "Making Waves" by Patrick Nair, 20, from the USA; and in third place "Victory Road" by 28-year-old Damien Perrin from Switzerland.

For more information on the Youth Olympic Games and opportunities to get involved go to www.buenosaires2018.com.

International Olympic Committee Press Release

View this press release online