On arrival in Paris, the President visited the headquarters of the ‘Service des Compagnies Motocyclistes’, ‘La Caserne des motards’, which will be a part of the security forces during the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

President Bach opened the second day of EB meeting with a moving tribute to IOC Honour Member Henry Kissinger. Upon learning of his passing at the age of 100, the President said: “Henry Kissinger was an extraordinary man – and avid sports fan – who was a friend of the Olympic Movement for 25 years. Everybody knows about Henry Kissinger’s very sharp and analytical mind. He always impressed you with his genius, while at the same time making you feel completely at ease. He was a very empathetic person with a good sense of humour.” President added: “He gave me invaluable advice in all the many geopolitical issues the world and sport had to face in recent years. I will greatly miss a brilliant man and a warm-hearted friend.” As a mark of respect, the IOC EB held a minute’s silence, and the Olympic flag will be flown at half-mast for three days at Olympic House in Lausanne. See also ‘Honour Member’s section.’

During its meeting, the EB discussed upcoming editions of the Olympic Games and Olympic institutional issues and took a number of decisions.

Following a recommendation by the IOC’s Future Host Commission for the Olympic Winter Games, chaired by IOC Member Karl Stoss, the IOC EB invited the French National Olympic Committee (CNOSF) and the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) to enter into Targeted Dialogues with regard to hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in 2030 in the French Alps, and the 2034 edition in Salt Lake City, Utah. The IOC will now start more detailed discussions with the Preferred Hosts, led by their NOCs, with the aim of awarding both editions at the 142^nd IOC Session in July in Paris. In addition, the IOC EB decided to grant the non-edition-specific project, Switzerland 203x, a special status by inviting it to enter into “Privileged Dialogue” for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in 2038. Read the full news release here.

Fifty days before the Opening Ceremony of the Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Gangwon 2024, the IOC EB was briefed on the preparations for the next Winter YOG. Speaking via video conference, Coordination Commission Chair and IOC Member Hong Zhang warmly welcomed the appointment of the new President of the Gangwon 2024 Winter YOG Organising Committee (YOGOC) Choi Jong-gu (see also under “Gangwon 2024”). YOGOC Secretary General Kim Chul-min reported on the operational readiness and key milestones achieved in the lead-up to Gangwon 2024. Full detailed info here.

The IOC EB has also approved the list of 32 athletes – 18 female and 14 male – who will seek election to the IOC Athletes’ Commission next year at the Olympic Games Paris 2024. Four positions are up for election. The candidates, who have been nominated by their respective NOCs together with their Athletes’ Commissions, come from 15 sports and 32 NOCs. Full details here.

The EB also heard an update about the next summer YOG edition, Dakar 2026. Present at the EB meeting, the Chair of the IOC Coordination Commission for Dakar 2026, Kirsty Coventry, said about the advancement of the project: “It is a testament to the collaborative efforts between the YOGOC and IOC teams allowing for the necessary revisions and adaptations to the Dakar 2026 project in the current context.” General Coordinator of the Organising Committee Ibrahima Wade and IOC Member in Senegal Mamadou Diagna Ndiaye presented the updates on the YOG Dakar 2026, focusing on recent key developments. Detailed info here.

The EB also approved nine applications for a change of nationality. All nine are for the Olympic Games Paris 2024. Details here.