Future Olympic Hosts Learn from Paris 2024

Future Olympic hosts for both Summer and Winter Games are being taken along the inner workings of the Paris 2024 committee as part of the IOC’s Information, Knowledge and Games Learning program.

More than 400 officials from the Organizing Committees for Milano Cortina 2026, Dakar 2026 Youth Games, LA28 and Brisbane 2032, plus representatives of the newly elected French Alps 2030 and Salt Lake City-Utah 2034 Committees, are part of the program.

“The Observers Program is really an opportunity for future Organizing Committees to see and understand what goes on during the Games,” said Chris Payne, IKL Associate Director at the IOC. “Having an understanding of the scale and complexity of the Games is hugely beneficial in their own individual learning journeys, and this is consistently one of the most valuable learning programs we run.”

More than 80 activities have been planned across six tracks including observation of Games-time operations, expert-led presentations, roundtable discussions and various “Day in the Life” experiences with specific stakeholder groups. The IOC developed the program during preparations for the 2000 Games in Sydney, which led to the creation in 2003 of the Olympic Games Knowledge Management program.

“The Olympic Games Paris 2024 are the only opportunity for us to see the Summer Games in action, at scale and with spectators, prior to 2028,” said LA28 Chief Executive Officer Reynold Hoover. “The IOC’s Observers Program, in collaboration with Paris 2024, has been invaluable to provide our staff and partners with behind-the-scenes access and a massive amount of information on every facet of the Games, which will surely inform our own plans for 2028.”

Finalists Unveiled for Climate Action Awards

The IOC announced the names of the finalists for the annual Climate Action Awards, celebrating those within the Olympic Movement who are taking concrete measures to address climate change.

Supported by Deloitte, the awards encourage, recognize and reward projects from National Olympic Committees, International Federations and athletes aimed at reducing the environmental impact of sport.

“The Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024 are not only a demonstration of athletic excellence; they also exemplify a strong commitment to sustainability,” said Jennifer Steinmann, Deloitte global sustainability leader. “We look forward to working with the National Olympic Committees, International Federations and athletes to support their efforts in furthering sustainable behavior change at scale.”

Among the nominees in the athlete category is U.S. mountain biker Christopher Blevins for the “Where do we land?” multimedia project that intertwines animation and spoken word poetry to delve into the urgent reality of climate change, launching in summer 2024.

The full list of finalists is here. Winners will be announced during UN Climate Week in September.

“Climate change is taking its toll on everyone and sport is no exception,” said Marie Sallois, the IOC director of sustainability. “The IOC Climate Action Awards aim to celebrate those that are driving climate action within the wider Olympic Movement. The high number and quality of applications we have received this year illustrate the progress made in addressing climate change across the Olympic Movement.”

3×3 Reach Broadens

There was plenty of debate within the United States about the performance of the men’s and women’s 3×3 basketball teams, with the men’s team not medaling and the women’s team starting 0-3 in group play before rallying to win a bronze medal after getting gold in Tokyo.

With Netherlands beating France to win the men’s gold medal and Germany beating Spain in the women’s gold medal game, it was actually what FIBA would have wanted in broadening the game.

“We have the example of Netherlands getting a medal now,” said FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis. “We had an example of Latvia, which is now considered as a big power in 3×3 basketball. 3×3 has this democratic aspect to it, because of the smaller number of players we need to assemble as a team … 3×3 shows us that success is possible for everyone.”

Latvia’s men went through the group stage unbeaten but did not medal. The women’s bracket included Azerbaijan as well. Zagklis did mention after the competition ended that increasing the game’s spread to Africa will be a point of emphasis as well as increasing depth and prestige with the women’s world tour.

“Paris is not only a magnificent city, it’s a city that is passionate about basketball,” Zagklis said. “We’re very excited that in four years another big cosmopolitan and basketball-loving city like Los Angeles is waiting for us.”