QUEENSLAND PARLIAMENTARY LIBRARY -Research Publications and Resources Section- Research Note
No 2, March 1999 ISSN 1440-5490
THE OLYMPIC MOVEMENT: THE STRUCTURE AND MEMBERSHIP OF THE IOC, THE AOC AND THE QOC.
THE OLYMPIC MOVEMENT The IOC income redistribution data since 1976 is shown in the diagram below6 The Olympic Movement encompasses organisations, athletes and other persons who agree to be guided by the Olympic Charter and is led by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The Olympic Charter is the Constitution of the IOC. The Olympic Movement consists of the IOC, the 32 International Olympic Sports Federations (IFS), the 198 National Olympic Committees of the Olympic Games (OCOGs), national sports associations, clubs, and the persons belonging to them, and, athletes. It also includes various organisations and institutions that are recognised by the IOC. The Criteria for belonging to the Olympic Movement is recognition by the IOC.1
THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE (IOC)
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) was constituted on 23 June 1894. The current legal status of the IOC is as an international non-governmental non-profit organisation, of unlimited duration, recognised by decree of the Swiss Federal Council of September 1981.2 The fundamental principles, rules and by-laws adopted by the IOC are codified in its Constitution (the Olympic Charter). The Olympic Charter governs the organisation and operation of the Olympic Movement and sets out the conditions for the celebration of the Olympic Games.3 The IOC receives no public funding. Its revenue derives from the sale of rights for television broadcasting of the ORGANISATION OF THE IOC Olympic Games and from marketing programmes. There are three organs of the IOC: The IOC distributes, throughout the Olympic · the Session; Movement, about 93% of the funds it generates.4 Of · the Executive Board; approximately $900 million in revenues from the 1996 · the President.7 Summer Olympic Games at Atlanta, over $564 million went to the organising committee, while the remaining funds were distributed among the The Session 198 National Olympic Committees, the The Session is the general meeting of the members of International Federations and the IOC.5 the IOC held at least once a year.8 The Session is the supreme organ of the IOC responsible for adopting, being unable to fulfil the duties of office, the most modifying and interpreting the Olympic Charter.9 Its senior Vice-President replaces him/her until a new decisions are final. President is elected at the next IOC Session.18 Since 1894 there have been seven IOC Presidents. The Executive Board MEMBERSHIP OF THE IOC The Executive Board manages the affairs of the IOC. The powers and duties of the Executive Board The IOC chooses and selects its members from are set out in rule 23.6 of the Olympic Charter and among such persons as it considers qualified. They include enforcing the Olympic Charter, controlling the must be nationals of a country in which they live or administration of the IOC and managing the IOC have their main centre of interests and in which there 10 finances. The Executive Board submits to the IOC is an National Olympic Organisation (NOC) Session the names of the persons whom it recognised by the IOC.19 There can only be one 11 recommends for election to the IOC. member elected in each country except for countries which have held either the Summer or Winter The Executive Board consists of the President, four Olympics where two members can be elected.20 Vice-Presidents and six additional members who are elected by a majority of votes cast in a secret ballot by the Session.12 Members Oath
Vice-presidents Persons being admitted to the IOC take the following oath: The Vice-Presidents and the six members of the Executive Board are elected for four year terms.13 A Granted the honour of becoming a member of the Vice-President cannot be re-elected until the International Olympic Committee and of expiration of 4 years from the year during which representing it in my country, ..., and declaring his/her mandate expires.14 If an office of Vice- myself aware of my responsibilities in such President becomes vacant, the IOC elects a new Vice capacity, I undertake to serve the Olympic President at the next Session and the elected Vice Movement to the very best of my ability, to respect President holds office until the mandate of the Vice- and ensure the respect of all the provisions of the President he /she is replacing expires. After that time Olympic Charter and the decisions of the IOC, the person is immediately eligible for election to any which I consider as not subject to appeal on my office on the Executive Board. part, to keep myself free from any political or commercial influence and from any racial or Members of the Executive religious consideration, and to defend in all As well as the President and Vice-Presidents, there circumstances the interests of the IOC and those 21 are six additional members of the Executive board. of the Olympic Movement. A member of the Executive Board, other than a Members of the IOC may not accept from governments, President or Vice-President, may not be re-elected organisations, or other legal entities or natural persons, during the year in which his/her mandate expires, any mandate liable to bind them or interfere with their except that such member may be re-elected as freedom of action and vote.22 Members are not personally President or Vice-President within that time.15 In liable for the debts of the IOC.23 case of a vacancy for a member on the Executive Board, the IOC elects a new member of the Retirement and Resignation of a Member Executive Board at its following Session. After completing the mandate of the member being replaced, Any member of the IOC may terminate his/her the new member is immediately eligible for any office membership by delivering a written resignation to the on the Executive Board.16 President of the IOC.24 Members must retire at the end of the calendar year in which they reach the age of The President of the IOC 80 except if the member was elected before 1966, in which case the member is elected for life. The President is elected upon secret ballot by the If the member is holding office as President, Vice- Session for an inital period of eight years. The President or as a member of the IOC Executive President may be re-elected for successive four-year terms.17 If a vacancy occurs due to the President Board, retirement is at the end of the IOC Session MEMBERSHIP OF THE AOC during which the term of office is completed.25 The membership of the AOC comprises: A member is deemed to have resigned and forfeits his · membership if he changes his nationality or transfers · Patron-in-Chief, the Governor-General; his domicile or main centre of interests to another · a Patron, the Prime Minister; country.26 · the Executive of the AOC; · the Members of the IOC in Australia; Honorary Members · two delegates appointed by each State Bodies. The State Bodies are the Australian Capital Members who serve the IOC for at least ten years and Territory Olympic Council Incorporated; the who retire due to age, health or any other reason New South Wales Olympic Council accepted by the IOC Board, shall become an Incorporated; the Queensland Olympic Council honorary member. Honorary members may Limited; the South Australian Olympic Council continue their activities on behalf of the IOC except Incorporated; the Tasmanian Olympic Council; that they no longer have the right to vote. 27 the Victorian Olympic Council Incorporated; and the Western Australian Olympic Council Expulsion of a Member Incorporated. · two delegates appointed by each National An IOC member or honorary member may be Federation. (National Federations are those expelled by decision of the IOC Session if: Australian bodies controlling a branch of sport on · the member has betrayed his/her oath; or the Olympic programme and affiliated to an · if the Session considered that such member has International Federation. There is only one neglected or knowingly jeopardised the interest of National Federation admitted to the Council for the IOC; or each sport.); · the member has acted in a way which is unworthy · the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the of the IOC.28 Athletes Commission (The Athletes Commission is a body of 10 athletes , all of whom have been Decisions to expel an IOC member or honorary competitors in the Australian Team at either or member are taken by a majority of two-thirds of the both the previous (2) Olympic Games or the members present at the Session on the proposal of the Previous (2) Olympic Winter Games. It advises the Executive Board. The member has the possibility to Executive of the AOC on all matters relating to state his case and be heard personally before the IOC the Olympic Movement.33); 29 in relation to such matter. · one delegate appointed by each Recognised Body (A Recognised Body is an Australian Body THE AUSTRALIAN OLYMPIC COMMITTEE controlling a branch of sport not on the Olympic programme and affiliated to an International The National Olympic Committee in Australia is the Federation.34); Australian Olympic Committee (AOC). The AOC · one delegate appointed by each of the Associate is a non-profit organisation incorporated in Bodies (An Associate Body is an Australian body accordance with the provisions of the Associations interested in and associated with sport and Incorporation Act 1981 (Cwlth) under the terms of 35 recognised by the AOC. ); the Olympic Charter.30 The AOC has the exclusive · Life Members of the Committee.36 responsibility for ensuring Australia’s representation at Olympic Games.31 The objects of the AOC are set out in cl 3 of its constitution. Life Membership
The AOC is an independent body. It raises funds Life Membership of the AOC may be conferred by through corporate sponsorship, licensing, special majority37 of the members in General Meeting merchandising and other fundraising activities. The on the recommendation of the Executive, upon funds are used to assist athletes to prepare for high persons who have rendered outstanding service to the level international competition and to pay for the Olympic Movement and sport. The conditions for costs of Australia’s participation in the Olympic appointment of a Life Member are set out in cl 5.4.1 Games and Olympic Winter Games.32 of the AOC Constitution. A Life Member does not ordinarily have voting power. However, a Life Members Mandate Member who is a member of the IOC, or a member of the Executive of the AOC and/or a delegate of a Each member of the Executive holds office until the National Federation has the voting rights attached to conclusion of the Annual General Meeting first that position.38 A Life Member appointed as an convened after the Olympic Games next succeeding 45 office bearer or to a Commission by the Executive is his election. The President and the two Vice entitled to vote within the Executive or within the Presidents are elected at the annual general meeting relevant Commission respectively.39 first held after an Olympic Games and hold office until the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting first convened after the Olympic games next THE EXECUTIVE OF THE AOC succeeding their election.46 The election is by The management and control of the AOC resides with exhaustive ballots. 40 the Executive. The Executive is nominated and Person are not eligible to be a member of the elected by the membership of National Federations. Executive if at the time of the election the person has It is supported by professional staff servicing State obtained the age of seventy two (72) years. However, Olympic Councils. a person who attains the age of seventy two (72) years The Executive meets at least three times each year whilst serving a term as a member of the Executive is 47 with a quorum of seven (7) persons.41 allowed to complete such term of office.
The 14 member Executive comprises: Member Vacancy · the President; · two Vice-Presidents; The office of a member of the Executive becomes · the Members of the IOC in Australia; vacant if the member: · The Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the · resigns his office in writing addressed to the Athletes Commission; Secretary-General; · The Secretary General who is appointed by the · becomes of unsound mind or a person whose estate Executive. The Secretary -General does not have is liable to be dealt with in any way under the laws voting rights unless the Secretary is entitled to vote relating to mental health; or by virtue of fulfilling any other position within the · is removed from office by vote of a special executive.42 majority at a General Meeting of which due notice · Seven Members elected from those nominated by has been given.48 the National Federations. In the event of an office bearer position becoming · the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the vacant, the Executive can elect, from amongst its Athletes’ Commission and the members of the members, a replacement who holds office until the IOC in Australia.43 conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of the Each National Federation is entitled to nominate one AOC.49 In the event of any other vacancy occurring person for election as an Executive Member. The on the Executive, the National Federations are called positions for Executive Member are decided by on by the Executive for nominations for a ballot in accordance with cl 15.4 of the AOC replacement. From those nominations, the Executive Constitution. Voting members include each delegate selects a member to hold office for the balance of the of the National Federations members of the term of the replaced committee member. Executive. Each voting member writes the name of the candidate most preferred by the voting member on Discipline, Suspension and Expulsion of Members the ballot paper. A Candidate with an absolute 50 majority of formal votes is elected to office. If there is Where a body breaches the constitution of the AOC 51 no candidate with an absolute majority the candidate or any by laws made by the Executive the body can, with the least number of votes is eliminated and at the discretion of the Executive, be liable to further ballots are taken until one candidate receives expulsion from membership of the AOC by a special 52 an absolute majority of formal votes. Procedures for majority at a General Meeting. A body dissatisfied dealing with situations where candidates receive an with a decision made to expel it from the membership equal number of votes are set out in the AOC of the AOC may appeal to the Court of Arbitration Constitution.44 for Sport within 14 days of receiving notification of the decision.53 THE STATE BODIES Controlling Body provided that only one body for each branch of sport is admitted to membership; The State Bodies are subject to the control and · Recognised Bodies. Any Queensland affiliate of a direction of the AOC.54 The responsibilities of each National Federation recognised by the AOC, State Body are set out in cl 26.2 of the AOC which controls a branch of sport not on the Constitution. Olympic programme, can be admitted to membership as a non-voting Recognised Body for The responsibilities include assisting the AOC in a specified period. Only one Recognised Body for raising funds for Australian athletes preparation and each branch of sport shall be admitted to participation in the Olympic Games.55 The fund membership. raising activities of the State Bodies are undertaken · Associate Bodies. A non-voting Associate Body only on behalf of the AOC and the State Bodies are interested in and associated with sport and required to report to the AOC about arrangements recognised by the AOC can be admitted to and conduct of such fund raising activities.56 membership for any specified period where the The Olympic Council Commission advises the QOC considers it desirable for such body to be Executive of the AOC on matters within the represented on the Council. responsibility of the State Bodies pursuant to the · Life Members; 57 Constitution of the AOC. Prior to the first Annual · Office bearers of the QOC for the duration of General Meeting of the AOC convened after each their office; Olympic games, each State Body appoints a · IOC members and AOC Executive members representative to serve on its behalf on the Olympic whilst they remain ordinarily resident in Council. Queensland; The State Body in Queensland is the Queensland · Olympians Club. The Olympians Club is a Olympic Council LTD. Queensland association recognised by the AOC. Queensland residents who have participated in any Olympic Games are eligible for membership. 58 THE QUEENSLAND OLYMPIC
COUNCIL LTD Office Bearers and the Executive
The objects of the Queensland Olympic Council The QOC Executive is responsible for managing the LTD (QOC) are set out in cl 2 of the its business of the QOC. The QOC Executive can Memorandum of Association and include: appoint subcommittees to exercise delegated dutieds.59 · to promote and adhere to the Fundamental Principles of Olympism as enunciated by the IOC; The members of the QOC Executive are the: · to advance the claims of athletes in all branches of · office bearers; sport and to assist in their preparation and · three members elected from the Delegates at the development with a view to their taking part in the Annual General Meeting; Olympic Games and regional, continental or world · IOC members and AOC Executive members multi-sports competitions patronised by the IOC; while they are ordinary residents of Queensland; · to appoint delegates to the AOC; and · the representatives of the Olympians Club. · to raise control and disperse finances to implement The office bearers are the Patron-in-Chief, the the objects of the QOC. President, the (Senior) Vice President and the Vice President-Finance. The office bearers and members MEMBERSHIP OF THE QOC of the QOC Executive are elected at an Annual General Meeting of the QOC. The President, Membership of the QOC consists of: (Senior) Vice President and Vice-President-Finance · Patron-in-Chief (the Governor of Queensland); must be members of a Controlling Body or be Life · Patron (the Premier of Queensland); Members. The President is the permanent Delegate · Controlling Bodies. Any Queensland affiliate of to the AOC. The office bearers hold office for the a National Federation which controls a branch of period of an Olympiad (4 years).60 sport included in the programme of the Olympic Games and which is affiliated to an International Federation may be admitted to membership as a Voting and Attendance
23 Olympic Charter, r 20.1.8. Persons entitled to attend meetings of the QOC are: 24 Olympic Charter, r 20.3.1 · Patron-in-Chief; 25 Olympic Charter, r 20.3.2. · Patron; 26 Olympic Charter, r 20.3.3A. · President; 27 Olympic Charter, r 20.1.7. 28 · (Senior) Vice President; Olympic Charter, r 20.3.4. 29 Olympic Charter, r 20.3.5. · Vice President-Finance; 30 Constitution of the Australian Olympic Committee · Secretary-General; Incorporated, 16 May 1998, cl 1. · Two Delegates appointed by each Controlling 31 The Australian Olympic Committee Inc, Fact Sheets, Body; The Australian Olympic Committee, February 1998, p 2. · One non-voting Delegate appointed by each 32 Fact Sheets, The Australian Olympic Committee, p 2. 33 Recognised Body; AOC Constitution, cl 6.3. 34 AOC Constitution, cl 2. · One non-voting Delegate appointed by each 35 AOC Constitution, cl 2. Associate Body; 36 AOC Constitution, cl 5.1. · Life members of the QOC; 37 Special Majority means a majority of not less than · IOC members and AOC Executive members three-fourths of the number of voting persons see while they are resident in Queensland; Constitution of the Australian Olympic Committee · A representative of the Olympians Club. Incorporated, cl 5 38 AOC Constitution, cl 5.4.6. The Patron-in Chief and the Patron have no voting 39 AOC Constitution, cl 5.4.6. 40 power.61 All office bearers with the exception of the AOC Constitution, cl 16.1. 41 Patron-in Chief and the Patron shall be Life Members AOC Constitution, cls 15.5, 15.6. 42 AOC Constitution, cl 15.1. or a member of a Controlling Body. 43 AOC Constitution, cl 11.1. 44 AOC Constitution, cls, 15. 4.4-15.4.6. 45 1 Constitution of the Australian Olympic Committee AOC Constitution, cl 15.2. 46 Incorporated, cl 2A.5. AOC Constitution, cl 17.1. 47 2 Olympic Charter, r 19. AOC Constitution, cl 15.7. 48 3 AOC Constitution, cl 2A.9. AOC Constitution, cl 15.10, cl 19. 49 4 About the IOC, IOC Press Conference, 24 January AOC Constitution, cl 18.2. 50 1999, internet item, ‘Body’ is a body admitted to membership of the
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