When was the International Olympic Committee (IOC) founded?
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The International Olympic Committee (IOC) was founded in Paris in 1894, on the initiative of French pedagogue Pierre de Coubertin, with the aim of resurrecting the Olympic Games of antiquity in a modern, international and peaceful form. This date marks a major turning point in the history of world sport, with the birth of an institution that was to become the heart of the organization of the Olympic movement.
At the end of the 19th century, Europe was in the throes of an industrial and intellectual boom, but also marked by national tensions. Physical education and sport were beginning to develop in several countries, notably England, Germany and France. It was against this backdrop that Pierre de Coubertin, fascinated by Greek antiquity, history and educational ideals, envisaged the creation of the modern Olympic Games, conceived as a means of uniting nations through sport.
At the International Congress for the Re-establishment of the Olympic Games, held at the Sorbonne in Paris from June 16 to 23, 1894, Coubertin brought together representatives from numerous countries and different sporting disciplines. On June 23, 1894, the Congress officially adopted the resolution to re-establish the Olympic Games and decided to create the International Olympic Committee.
From the outset, the International Olympic Committee’s mission has been to organize the modern Olympic Games every four years and to promote the values of Olympism throughout the world. It was originally composed of 15 founding members representing 12 nations.
The IOC is responsible for :
- Ensuring compliance with the Olympic Charter;
- Designate the host cities of the Olympic Games;
- Supervise international sports federations;
- Promote ethics, peace and education through sport.
Its headquarters have been in Lausanne, Switzerland, since 1915, underlining its neutral and international character.
Thanks to the work of the IOC, the first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens, Greece, in 1896, in homage to their ancient origins. The Games brought together 241 male athletes from 14 countries in nine sports disciplines. This success marked the beginning of a new era in the history of international sport, although it would take several decades for the Games to reach their current scale.
Since its creation in 1894, the International Olympic Committee has undergone many changes. It has adapted to geopolitical realities, included women in competitions (from 1900), modernized its structures and intensified its fight against doping and for the respect of sporting ethics.
Today, the IOC organizes not only the Summer and Winter Olympic Games, but also the Youth Olympic Games. It is made up of over 100 members from all regions of the world, and works in cooperation with the National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and international federations.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) was founded in Paris in 1894 by Pierre de Coubertin, with the aim of revitalizing the modern Olympic Games. Since then, the IOC has played a central role in the organization, governance and promotion of sport worldwide. An institution founded on the ideals of peace, solidarity and excellence, it still embodies the spirit of Olympism and its ambition to bring people together through sport.
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When was the International Olympic Committee (IOC) founded?
Answer
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) was founded in Paris in 1894 by Pierre de Coubertin to revive the modern Olympic Games.