IOC Congress #12

Venue Paris (FRA)
Held 29 August – 3 September 1994

Description

On the 100th anniversary of the Sorbonne Congress, the Centennial Olympic Congress took place in Paris from 29 August to 3 September 1994. It celebrated the 100th anniversary of the founding the Modern Olympic Movement, and was held at the CNIT (Centre Nationale pour Industrie et Technologie) in Paris, although a ceremony was held at the Sorbonne in remembrance of the original Olympic Congress.

President of the Centennial Olympic Congress was IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch, and the Organizing Committee was led by Nelson Paillou, president of the French Olympic Committee. There were four themes of the Centennial Olympic Congress: 1) The Olympic Movement’s Contribution to Modern Society; 2) The Contemporary Athlete; 3) Sport in its Social Context; and 4) Sport and the Mass Media. Again, a single day of the Congress was devoted to each topic. Each of the themes had several sub-themes which were discussed.

The Centennial Olympic Congess had become huge, some would say similar to the gigantism now associated with the Olympic Games. There were 1,687 official participants, with the standard representatives of the IOC, IFs, and NOCs, now supplemented by representatives of the athletes, officials, coaches, media, and a large category of 530 “experts,” many of whom were asked to speak at the Congress.

The Centennial Olympic Congress produced a large volume of literature, including a voluminous Final Report. The conclusions of the Congress were described in a final statement which encompassed 61 points. A summary of the most important of these points, quoting from the final document, is given below.

Theme I – The Olympic Movement’s Contribution to Modern Society

A. Olympism and its ethic; the structures of the Olympic Movement

B. Sport and the Environment

C. The Future of the Olympic Games and The Program

D. The Olympic Movement and International Understanding

Theme II – The Contemporary Athlete

A. The Athlete’s Development, Place and Role in Society

B. High-Level Competitive Sport and its Organization

C. Sports Science and Modern Training

D. Potential Dangers Affecting the Athlete

Theme III – Sport in its Social Context

A. Sport and Politics

B. Sport and the Economy

C. Sport for All

D. Sport in the Developing Countries

Theme IV – Sport and the Mass Media