(ATR) In a new year’s message to Olympic stakeholders, IOC president Thomas Bach lays out his vision for the upcoming year, saying the recent terrorist attacks in Russia underline the importance of the Olympics.
While nothing new in particular was revealed by Bach, it has him making a strong appeal for the Sochi Olympics
"The year ahead is shaping up to be a significant one for the Olympic Movement," he wrote, highlighting the Sochi Olympics and Nanjing Youth Olympics as milestones.
He said nothing should interfere with the athletes’ performance in Sochi.
"Terrorism must never triumph," Bach said.
"We must ensure that nothing interferes with them realizing their full potential on the world’s biggest sporting stage. The Sochi Olympic Games should be a demonstration of unity in diversity and of remarkable athletic achievements – not a platform for politics or division.
He added, "In Sochi, the athletes will once again discover the magic of the Olympic Games and the Olympic Villages. They will experience firsthand the ability of the Olympic Games to build bridges and break down walls. In turn, the athletes will share this magic with the rest of the world by bringing the Olympic values to life both on and off the field of play."
Nanjing, Bach said, "will provide us with an early opportunity to move in a new direction."
He reiterated previous statements about more changes to the Olympic Movement over the next few years being necessary and the need for discussion regarding these issues.
"This dialogue has already generated a number of important ideas that will form the basis of the Olympic Agenda 2020, a road map for the Olympic Movement under the leadership of the IOC that we aim to have finalised by the end of 2014."
"The next step will be for all IOC members to debate the ideas emerging from a four-day brainstorming meeting of the IOC Executive Board. This debate will take place at the IOC Session ahead of the 2014 Sochi Olympic Winter Games. The process is expected to culminate in Monaco on 6 and 7 December 2014 when the Olympic Agenda 2020 will be presented for final approval to an IOC Extraordinary Session.
"This dialogue remains open to the diverse voices and opinions of all Olympic Movement stakeholders. I thank you all in advance for your active participation in these discussions for the sake of a bright future for our Olympic Movement."
Written by Ed Hula III
20 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics is AroundTheRings.com, for subscribers only.
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