The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced that the 141st Session in Mumbai has approved changes to the Olympic Charter, the document that contains the fundamental principles of Olympism as well as the rules and bylaws adopted by the IOC. Additional wording has been included in the “Fundamental Principles of Olympism.”
The new wording in Fundamental Principle of Olympism 1 is: ”Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and mind. Blending sport with culture and education, Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy of effort, the educational value of good example, social responsibility and respect for internationally recognised human rights and universal fundamental ethical principles within the remit of the Olympic Movement.”
The new wording in Fundamental Principle of Olympism 4 is: ”The practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have access to the practice of sport, without discrimination of any kind in respect of internationally recognised human rights within the remit of the Olympic Movement. The Olympic spirit requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play.”
In addition, the IOC has aligned the Olympic Charter with the “Guidelines on Athlete Expression,” which were introduced by the IOC Executive Board on April 21, 2021. The additional wording to Rule 40 makes it clear that “all competitors, team officials or other team personnel in the Olympic Games shall enjoy freedom of expression in keeping with the Olympic values and the Fundamental Principles of Olympism, and in accordance with the Guidelines determined by the IOC Executive Board.”
