Inside the IOC: where the Olympic dream was born.

Behind every opening ceremony that thrills the world, behind every medal that marks history, behind every Olympic dream, there is an entity that has been quietly working for more than a century to keep the flame of global sports alive: the IOC, the International Olympic Committee.

Born from a visionary idea, grown into a planetary institution, the IOC is much more than an organization: it is the common home of world sport.

The origins of the modern Olympic dream

It all begins in the 1894, when a revolutionary-thinking French educator, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, founds the International Olympic Committee with an extraordinary goal: Bringing the Olympic Games of ancient Greece back to life., but adapting them to modern times.

The founding meeting was held at the Sorbonne in Paris on June 23, and from there the first modern Olympic Games were born, hosted in Athens in 1896.

Since that day, the IOC is the governing body of the Olympic Movement, coordinating the Summer and Winter Olympics, national Olympic committees (such as CONI for Italy), and international sports federations.

What is the IOC and what does it do?

The International Olympic Committee is a'international non-governmental, non-profit organization, which deals with:

• Assign the organization of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
• Promoting the values of theOlympism: respect, friendship, excellence.
• Coordinate the activities of 206 National Olympic Committees around the world.
• Working with 35 International Sports Federations.
• Develop educational, cultural and inclusion programs through sports.
• To fight against doping, corruption, racism and any form of discrimination in sports.

In addition, the CIO manages the TV and commercial rights related to the Games, the proceeds of which are largely reinvested in the world sports movement.

Where is the IOC based?

The home of Olympic sports is located in Lausanne, Switzerland, in a modern and scenic building called the Olympic House, opened in 2019. This venue represents a symbol of the IOC's commitment to the sustainability, innovation and transparency.

Also located here is theOlympic Museum, one of the most visited places in the country, which tells the story and values of the Olympics through historical objects, Olympic flashlights, uniforms, videos and testimonies of athletes.

Who leads the IOC?

Since 2013, the president of the IOC has been the German Thomas Bach, former fencer and Olympic champion in Montreal 1976. Bach pursued a thorough reform of the Olympic system, launching Agenda 2020 and then Agenda 2020+5, to make the Olympics More sustainable, digital and close to the younger generation.

Under his leadership, the IOC awarded the Games to Paris 2024, Milan-Cortina 2026, Los Angeles 2028 e Brisbane 2032, planning well in advance for the future of the Olympic movement.

Curiosities that tell the soul of the IOC

• The IOC is composed of. about 100 members, including former athletes, executives, and representatives of academia and culture.
• It has been One of the first sports bodies to introduce gender balance In Olympic committees and delegations.
• The IOC has established the Youth Olympic Games, the Youth Olympic Games, for athletes between the ages of 15 and 18.
• It runs a real humanitarian program, helping refugee athletes with scholarships, psychological support and participation in international competitions.

The role of the IOC today and tomorrow

In the contemporary world, the IOC is much more than an organizational body. It is a global ambassador for peace, dialogue and sustainable development. Its activities range from building sports facilities in emerging countries and promoting women's sports to digitizing events and combating climate change.

With the emergence of new Olympic disciplines such as the breaking, lo skateboard or theclimbing, the IOC demonstrates that it is an organization capable of Renew itself, staying true to its original principles.

The IOC Is much more than a sports institution. È the keeper of the Olympic dream, a guarantee that, every four years, the world can pause to celebrate not only sporting excellence, but also unity, peace and hope.

And as the Olympic flashlight passes from continent to continent, keeping it alive are not only the athletes, but also the daily work of those who believe that sports can really Changing the world, one generation at a time.