(ATR) IOC members call for professional leagues to send their best athletes to compete in the Olympics and for continental Games to serve as Olympic qualifiers.
Australia’s IOC Executive Board member John Coates opened the debate on the "uniqueness of the Games" theme at the IOC Session by stressing that the Olympic Games must maintain and enhance their position.
First to comment was Prince Albert of Monaco. He underlined one of the key challenges for the IOC, international federations and NOCs – to consider an "overcrowded" event calendar and to "think about the athletes" in discussions about the status of multi-sport events.
In the wake of the IOC’s struggle to get the NHL to send its best players to the Sochi Olympics, Alex Gilady of Israel said the IOC had to carefully assess "how we can deal with professional players".
New Zealand IOC member Barry Maister said the IOC’s involvement with professional leagues and the availability of elite athletes for the Olympics was a "huge issue we need to confront".
"Do we take a low profile or lead? The IOC should take a lead. The professional leagues, unions and players are here to stay. We should work with them not impose things on them
"The bottom line is we are on a slippery slope if we start paying people to come to the Olympic Games."
He added: "Sports not willing to send athletes need to have their fundamental involvement [in the Olympics] addressed."
Swiss IOC member Patrick Baumann, who is secretary general of the basketball federation FIBA, said that any change to the sports calendar should be made in close consultation with IFs.
There needs to remain "privileged dialogue" between the IOC and IFs, but the positioning of the Olympics as the pinnacle of sport had to be reinforced and the participation for best athletes it "should be a goal".
Commenting on the role of professional leagues, he added: "It is our obligation to offer them this opportunity. We may need some boundaries. But the IOC should accompany IFs in this work."
A handful of IOC members suggested continental Games should be used as Olympic qualifiers.
Baumann raised concerns about having this process in place for all sports, saying there was "huge pressure" on NOCs and IFs to make this work.
Canada’s Richard Pound said he did no object to the proposal but said the IOC "should make sure the quality is high".
Namibian IOC member Frank Fredericks echoed Pound’s concern, saying Olympic qualifiers "puts stress on athletes" so the IOC should "strengthen" the quality of the continental Games.
Britain’s Adam Pengilly called for a "pension fund" to be created for athletes transitioning from their sports career to "real life". Funding from a TOP sponsor was one idea that might be considered, he said.
Written by Mark Bissonin Sochi
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