I would like to ask your special attention for the first document, the contract between the IOC and the IWGA. As we all hope, not only from a point of view of image but also from an economic point of view in future, this contract is the sign for a closer relationship between the IOC and the Federations that are not Olympic, but that however have been recognized by the IOC and that are part of the IWGA.
The IOC has finally realized that the pressure on all non-Olympic Federations that want to become Olympic is enormous. The amount of energy spent by the Federation in the attempt to become Olympic has been enormous as well from the human and economic point of view. Now, in the context of reducing the Olympic dimension it has become indispensable for the IOC to increase the "value" of the Federations which are non-Olympic, but which are part of the IWGA and therefore to increase the importance of the multisport event of the World Games.
I personally believe that in the near future, when the new President of the IOC signs the contracts for the Olympic Games in 2008, he may also sign contracts which may bring substantial support to the Federations of the IWGA. This is why, dear Presidents, it is of extreme importance that (if we do not become Olympic for 2004) we make the best possible manifestation (in quality) for the next World Games in 2001.
As always, I am at your disposal for any other information.
Best regards,
Graziano Tognala
Secretary General IWSF
The lnternational Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International World Games Association (IWGA) share the same value of promoting physical and sporting activities for the well-being of society.
The IOC recognises the importance of the World Games as a multi-sport event and agrees to support the IWGA and provide assistance based on the following principles:
— The IOC will provide its expertise when needed and will maintain its cooperation with the IWGA through its Department of Sports, Olympic Games Coordination and Relations with International Federations, and will help to promote IWGA’s activities within the Olympic Movement.
— The IOC agrees to grant its patronage to Organising Committees of the World Games and to provide technical assistance through the transfer of knowledge programme.
— The IWGA recognises the importance for athletes and officials in all sports to participate as a national multi-sport delegation at the World Games, and will therefore implement this new concept in future World Games.
— The IOC will encourage the National Olympic Committees (NOCs) to support and assist their national multi-sport delegations taking part in the World Games.
— The IWGA is willing to review and further develop the sports programme of the World Games with the help and input of the IOC.
— The IWGA accepts that disciplines/events of sports that are not on the Olympic Games programme could be included on the programme of the World Games.
— The IWGA shall ensure that only sports whose International Sports Federations are recognised by the IOC (ASOIF, AIOWF, ARISF), are full members of GAISF, or existing members of the IWGA, will be included in the World Games programme.
— The IWGA shall continue to develop a dose working relationship with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
— The IOC also agrees to grant funding to the Organising Committee of the World Games for doping control, according to the Olympic Movement Anti-Doping Code.
Done in Monte Carlo, Monaco, on this 27th day of October 2000.
| Ron Froehlich | Juan Antonio Samaranch | |
| President International World Games Association |
President International Olympic Committee |
Lausanne
Ref. No /97/
Dear Sir / Madam,
As you aware, the World Games is a quadrennial multi-sport event, governed by the International World Games Association (IWGA). The program is comprised of sports not in the program of the Games of the Olympiad, with number of athletes totaling between 2,500 and 3,000 in 25-30 sports. The 1997 World Games were held in Lahti (FIN) and the 2001 World Games are to he held in Akita (JPN). The I\VGA also has close links to the Association of TOC Recognised International Sports Federations (ARISF).
At the 1997 World Games, the IOC announced its commitment to supporting the World Games and the IWGA, and since that time we have further developed our support and collaboration. This support is beneficial in assisting the development of this important multi-sports event through the provision of advice and experience to the IWGA, resulting in the development of the sports on the programme of the World Games.
In recent months, discussions have been held with the IWGA regarding the formalisation of a closer relationship between the International Olympic Committee and the JWGA. A memorandum of understanding was signed to this effect between the organisations on the occasion of the IWGA Annual General Assembly, Monte Carlo (MON), 24-26 October 2000.
Further to this agreement, we would like to request a further review of the possibility of increasing the level of support of your National Olympic Committee for your national delegation to the 2001 World Games.
In previous World Games, athletes and teams have been organised by the sport in which they are participating, with little organisational integration between national representatives in the various sports. However, the important aspect of athletes competing as a national delegation has been addressed by the IOC and the IWGA, and at the 2001 Akita World Games, delegations will parade by country under their national flag, and have national uniforms.
This important development also increases the need for a central administrative structure and other-similar support for participating national delegations.
The World Games is an important occasion of participation in a world multi-sport event, provides an opportunity for the mixing of athletes from a variety of sports as part of a collective national team, and for many participating sports represents a pinnacle of their competition at the elite level.
In order to maximise the experience of your athletes at the World Games, and to utilise your expertise in the preparation and administration of a national delegation at a large multi-sport event, your efforts to support the delegation of your nation at the 2001 World Games would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your understanding in this matter.
Juan Antonio SAMARANCH
Dear Federation Presidents,
In reference to the message which I sent you yesterday (below), and in order to facilitate contacts between the individual National Federations and those of other sports federations particpating in the World Games in Akita, you will find below a list of the Official sports for the 2001 World Games.
Again, I urge you to contact these other sport federations in order to petition under a united front your National Olympic Committee to support (economically and with the supply of National Uniforms and National Flags) the formation of national delegations for the 2001 World Games, as put forth in the guidelines established by Samaranch in his letter dated January 26.
The other official sports present at the 2001 World Games in Akita are: