The International Olympic Committee

I. Introduction

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) stands as one of the most influential international sporting organizations in the world. Founded in 1894 with the mission to revive the ancient Olympic Games and promote sport as a force for peace, education, and cultural exchange, the IOC has grown from a small assembly of sporting enthusiasts into a global powerhouse shaping elite sport, international cooperation, and global diplomacy. Its decisions ripple far beyond the fields of play, affecting politics, economics, society, and even ethical debates over inclusion, sustainability, and human rights.

In the modern era, the Olympic Movement encompasses not just the Summer and Winter Olympic Games but also the Youth Olympic Games, Paralympic integration, extensive development programs, international collaboration with 206 National Olympic Committees (NOCs), and a complex web of partners, sponsors, and stakeholders. The IOC guides this Movement through strategic governance, financial management, regulatory frameworks, cultural diplomacy, and adaptation to emergent global issues.

II. The Origins and Founding Principles of the IOC

The genesis of the modern Olympic Movement represents a deliberate attempt to revive the ancient ideals of the Olympic Games — excellence, friendship, respect, and peace — in a contemporary age. On June 23, 1894, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, a French educator and advocate for physical education, convened a congress at the Sorbonne in Paris. Attended by 12 delegates from different countries, this gathering marked the founding of the International Olympic Committee. Coubertin envisioned an international federation that could organize regular, large‑scale sport competitions free from political divisions and nationalistic tensions.

In 1896, the IOC organized the first modern Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, rekindling what had been largely a symbolic memory of antiquity. These early Games, though modest in scope compared to today’s spectacles, set the standard for international sport: athletes from multiple nations competing on the basis of ability and effort, with a focus on universal inclusion and mutual respect.

From its inception, the IOC adopted principles that continue to define the Movement:

Peace and International Understanding: Coubertin believed sport could unite people across borders, reduce tensions, and foster dialogue.
Amateurism: For much of its early history, the Olympic Movement valued amateur sport, emphasizing intrinsic motivation over professional financial incentives (a principle gradually modified in the late 20th century).
Neutrality: The IOC positioned itself as independent from governments and political agendas, seeking to protect sport from external pressures.
Universal Participation: Encouragement of worldwide involvement by athletes and NOCs helped expand the Olympic Movement to every continent.

In 1915, to better coordinate activities and deeply embed itself in the international sports ecosystem, the IOC established its headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, a location it has maintained as the heart of its administrative operations.

III. Institutional Structure and Functions

Over more than a century, the IOC’s organizational structure has become complex, yet purposefully designed to balance representation, operational efficiency, accountability, and strategic leadership.

1. The IOC Session

The IOC Session is the IOC’s supreme governing body, composed of all IOC Members, and meets at least once annually. It deliberates on matters including elections of officers, acceptance of host city bids, amendments to the Olympic Charter, and major policy decisions. This assembly functions as a sort of “Olympic Parliament,” where national and continental perspectives converge to guide the Movement.

2. The Executive Board

Between Sessions, the IOC Executive Board manages routine governance. It is composed of the President, several Vice‑Presidents, and other elected Members. The Board oversees core portfolios including sport regulation, finance, marketing, and coordination with major events.

In February 2026, at the 145th IOC Session held in Milan before the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, the IOC re‑elected Vice‑President Juan Antonio Samaranch for a second four‑year term, and elected three new Executive Board members, including Ingmar De Vos representing summer sport federations.

3. The President

The Presidency is a highly symbolic and strategic role. Presidents act as the public face of the IOC, articulate policy, represent the organization globally, and provide guidance to IOC Members. For over a decade, Thomas Bach served as IOC President, assuming the role in 2013 and being re‑elected in 2021. In 2025, the IOC underwent a major transition as Kirsty Coventry — a former Olympic champion swimmer from Zimbabwe — was elected as the IOC’s 10th President and its first woman to hold the office.

Coventry’s election marked a generational shift and brought renewed focus on inclusion, youth engagement, gender equality, and strategic modernization. Her leadership in 2025–2026 frames much of the IOC’s current agenda.

4. Subcommittees and Working Groups

To respond to sector‑specific issues, the IOC has established various commissions and working groups. In 2025, President Coventry initiated the “Fit for the Future” process, forming working groups focused on the Youth Olympic Games, the Olympic programme, protecting the female category, and commercial partnerships.

5. National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and International Federations (IFs)

The IOC does not operate alone — the Olympic Movement includes 206 National Olympic Committees and over 100 International Federations that govern individual sports. The IOC works with these bodies to coordinate athlete participation, set competition standards, and develop sport globally.

IV. The Olympic Games: Flagship of the Movement

At the center of the IOC’s mission are the Olympic Games — the Summer and Winter editions — staged every four years, with two‑year intervals between them. The Games serve as the pinnacle of elite competition and the most visible symbol of the Movement’s ideals.

1. Summer and Winter Olympics

Historic moments like the first modern Games in Athens (1896), the debut Winter Olympics (Chamonix 1924), and the broad global reach of contemporary Games demonstrate the IOC’s sustained relevance. Throughout its history, the IOC has grappled with the ever‑increasing scale, commercial complexity, and political sensitivity of staging these massive events.

2. Youth Olympic Games

In addition to the main Games, the IOC founded the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in 2010 as a platform for athletes aged 14–18. These Games combine sport with cultural and educational programmes, reflecting an expanded mission to engage and develop youth globally.

Looking ahead, the 2026 Summer Youth Olympic Games will take place in Dakar, Senegal, marking the first IOC event to be hosted on the African continent — a milestone reflecting growth and democratization within the Movement.

V. The Financial Machinery of the IOC

The Olympic Games require enormous organizational capacity and substantial financial resources. The IOC funds its work through a combination of broadcasting rights, sponsorship programs, and licensing arrangements.

1. Broadcasting and the Olympic Media Rights

A significant portion of IOC revenue comes from the sale of broadcasting rights for the Olympic Games. These deals span multiple markets and deliver billions of dollars across Olympic cycles.

2. The TOP Programme and Sponsorship Challenges

The TOP (The Olympic Partner) programme comprises global sponsors providing financial support that underpins many Olympic activities. While this programme has historically been strong, recent developments highlight challenges. In 2025–2026, the IOC extended partnerships — notably with Allianz through 2032 — offering financial stability in a period of sponsorship churn.

However, TOP revenue has faced headwinds, with reported declines to around US$560 million, the lowest since 2020. These fluctuations reflect broader shifts in global marketing, media consumption patterns, and corporate priorities.

3. Financial Statements and Stewardship

In early 2026, the IOC released its 2025 financial statements, reporting nearly $650 million in revenue and total assets approaching $6.97 billion, underscoring both financial scale and continuing fiscal stewardship in a complex environment.

4. Resource Allocation and Development Aid

The IOC allocates funding across various initiatives, including athlete development, Olympic Solidarity programmes, youth engagement, sport integrity initiatives, and sustainability investments.

VI. Major Policy Debates and Contemporary Controversies

1. Gender Inclusion and Transgender Athlete Participation

A major contemporary challenge for the IOC has been framing policies on gender eligibility and transgender athlete participation. The organization has grappled with scientific, ethical, and competitive fairness considerations.

At the start of 2026, the IOC’s existing framework (from 2021) allowed transgender athletes to compete if cleared by individual sports federations. However, debates intensified, particularly at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, where a transgender athlete became the first openly trans competitor in the women’s skiing events.

In late 2025 and early 2026, IOC President Kirsty Coventry indicated that a decision on unified gender eligibility criteria was forthcoming, reflecting ongoing deliberations at the highest levels of governance.

2. Environmental Sustainability and Climate Action

Climate change poses existential challenges for winter sports, as warming temperatures directly threaten snow reliability and athlete safety. The IOC has responded by launching and promoting initiatives like the IOC Climate Action Awards, recognizing sustainability efforts among athletes, NOCs, and International Federations. Awards for 2025 celebrated individuals and organizations making measurable environmental contributions.

However, these efforts have not come without criticism. Activists and athletes have urged the IOC to reconsider sponsorships from fossil fuel companies, arguing that such partnerships undermine climate action commitments.

3. Geopolitical Tensions and Neutrality Challenges

The IOC’s commitment to neutrality has been tested by geopolitical tensions. For example, its positions on athlete eligibility from Russia and Belarus have drawn scrutiny. In late 2025, the IOC recommended reintegration of young athletes from both countries into international competition after years of restrictions following geopolitical conflict — highlighting the delicate balance between promoting inclusion and addressing political realities.

4. Human Rights and Host City Selection

Increasingly, human rights conditions in host cities are part of Olympic bidding discussions. Debates about free expression, inclusivity, labor standards, and civil liberties shape public perception and organizational policy — even if not always publicized through official channels.

5. Cost, Sustainability, and Legacy of Olympic Games

Critics have long pointed to the high financial and environmental costs of the Games. Studies suggest cost overruns and long‑term liabilities are persistent challenges. The IOC has responded by encouraging sustainable host city plans and reuse of existing facilities, particularly with the LA28 model and future events.

VII. The 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics: A Live Case Study

A key moment in the IOC’s 2025–2026 trajectory is the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games — a major event illustrating both the promise and complexity of modern Olympic staging.

1. Preparations and Launch

In early February 2026, the IOC officially opened the 145th IOC Session in Milan as a formal precursor to the Games, marking the first Session under President Kirsty Coventry and setting the stage for operational decisions, awards (like the Climate Action Awards), and ceremonial milestones.

Athletes from around the world began to settle into the Milan Olympic Village, a newly constructed living complex designed with both functional athlete needs and long‑term legacy use in mind (planned conversion to subsidized housing after the Games).

2. Sport Integrity and Doping Controls

The International Testing Agency reported that over 92% of the approx. 2,800 athletes participating in the Games were tested at least once before competition, with rigorous controls aimed at deterring doping and aligning with the IOC’s integrity framework.

3. Ceremony and Cultural Reach

The Opening Ceremony of Milan Cortina 2026 was notable for utilizing the historic San Siro Stadium — on its centennial — along with location‑based performances across multiple Italian cities, symbolizing both tradition and innovation in Olympic presentation.

4. Inclusion and Policy Frontiers

The presence of an openly transgender athlete highlighted ongoing debates about gender eligibility and the need for consistent global rules, pushing these conversations into broader public view.

VIII. The Future of the IOC and the Olympic Movement

1. Youth Engagement and Dakar 2026

The upcoming 2026 Summer Youth Olympic Games in Dakar represent a historic expansion of Olympic engagement in Africa. This milestone symbolizes not just logistic growth but a deeper inclusivity in sport and global representation.

2. The Evolving Digital Landscape

Debates over integrating Esports and digital sport formats into the Olympic ecosystem reflect the IOC’s need to balance tradition with modern trends. While plans for an Olympic Esports Games have shifted — with a reported postponement to 2027 — the conversation around digital sports remains an important facet of future Olympic relevance.

3. Sustainability, Finance, and Strategic Partnerships

The IOC faces persistent challenges in maintaining robust revenue streams while aligning sponsorships with ethical and environmental expectations. The extended Allianz partnership signals continuity, but broader financial strategies will require innovation in an era of shifting media consumption and corporate priorities.

4. Global Impact Beyond Sport

The IOC’s work increasingly intersects with social issues — climate change, gender rights, youth empowerment, cultural diplomacy, and economic development — requiring smart governance that balances sporting ethos with global responsibility.

IX. Conclusion

The International Olympic Committee remains a powerful and consequential global institution with a mission rooted in peace through sport, inclusivity, excellence, and international cooperation. From its humble beginnings in 1894 to its present role guiding global sport – shaped by leadership transitions like that of Kirsty Coventry, strategic debates on gender and sustainability, major events like Milano Cortina 2026, and evolving financial landscapes – the IOC continues to adapt and redefine what it means to steward one of the world’s most iconic movements.