U.S. Olympic Committee Completes Successful Trip to South Africa

U.S. Olympic Committee leadership wrapped-up a successful visit to Durban, South Africa, where they signed three important new bilateral cooperation agreements. Finalized and signed on the sidelines of the 123rd International Olympic Committee Session, the new pacts with the National Olympic Committees of Australia and Germany, as well as with the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa, continues the USOC's robust international relations program launched in early 2010.

Each agreement spells out areas of formal cooperation and aims to strengthen the worldwide Olympic Movement through athlete and coach exchanges, the sharing of information and organizational best practices, and an overarching commitment to friendship and understanding.

"This week was an important opportunity for us to demonstrate our continued commitment to the Olympic Family and our interest in developing meaningful partnerships," said USOC Chairman Larry Probst. "By formalizing agreements with these three important organizations, we'll be able to learn from some of the best sport administrators in the world, strengthen long-standing friendships and move the Olympic Movement forward."

The USOC agreement with ANOCA was signed by Probst and Gen. Lassana Palenfo, the president of ANOCA. An IOC member, Palenfo is also president of the Ivory Coast NOC and the African Judo Union, and vice president of the International Judo Federation.

The agreements with the Australian and German NOCs were signed by Probst and Presidents John Coates and Thomas Bach. A member of the IOC executive board, Coates is also a council member of the International Rowing Federation, FISA. An Olympic champion in fencing, Bach is also vice president of the IOC.

"The Olympic value of friendship was on full display this week in South Africa and I'm pleased to have successfully finalized these three agreements," said USOC CEO Scott Blackmun. "I look forward to learning from our friends in Germany, Australia and Africa, and working with our individual NGBs in the United States to develop meaningful sport partnerships with our international partners."

Since February 2010, the USOC has signed cooperation agreements with the National Olympic Committees of Australia, Brazil, China, Germany, Israel, Japan, Russia, Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom, as well as the continental associations of Africa and Asia.

For more information, visit: TeamUSA.org

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