Extension of IOC Members’ terms proposed to June IOC Session by IOC Executive Board - Key qualification systems approved

Water polo and boxing qualification systems for LA28

Following the approval of qualification systems for 49 disciplines and events for LA28 since December 2025, the IOC EB has approved qualification systems for boxing and water polo. The remaining three qualification systems (athletics, cricket and football) will be presented to the IOC Executive Board in June 2026.

All systems have been developed in line with the Qualification System Principles (QSP) approved by the IOC EB in March 2025.

The LA28 qualification systems are designed to ensure athletes have multiple opportunities to qualify; maintain continental and universal representation; and minimise travel demands for athletes and teams. They also ensure that NOCs, athletes and entourage members have earlier visibility and longer timelines to prepare for their participation in the LA28 Olympic Games.

Curling qualification system for Dolomiti Valtellina 2028 Winter Youth Olympic Games

The IOC Executive Board approved the curling (mixed doubles) qualification system for the Dolomiti Valtellina 2028 Winter YOG, endorsing an exception from the standard 18-month qualification window.

Extension of terms of office for two IOC Members

The IOC Executive Board will propose to the 146th IOC Session in June the extension of the terms of office of two IOC Members, until the end of their current terms as IF and NOC presidents respectively:

Lord Sebastian Coe (Great Britain, membership linked to his function as President of World Athletics, born 1956, elected in 2020) will reach the age limit, 70, in 2026. A member of the first Athletes’ Commission in 1981, Coe served on multiple IOC commissions and remains a member of the Olympism365 Commission. He will therefore be proposed for an extension in the same capacity, as President of World Athletics, until he leaves this position in September 2027.

Mrs Tricia Smith (Canada, membership linked to her function as President of the Canadian Olympic Committee, born 1957, elected in 2016) will also reach the age limit, 70, in 2027. Smith was a member of the Milano Cortina 2026 Coordination Commission and is a current member of the Legal Affairs Commission. She will therefore be proposed for an extension in the same capacity, as President of the Canadian Olympic Committee, until she leaves this position in 2028.

Ivo Ferriani proposed as Honorary Member

The EB will also propose to the Session the election of Mr Ivo Ferriani as an IOC Honorary Member, as of 25 June 2026. Mr Ferriani (Italy, membership linked to his function as President of the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF), born 1960, elected in 2016) will step down from his function at the IBSF on 11 June 2026, and his term as an IOC Member will end at the same time.

Election for 2030 Youth Olympic Games put on hold

The EB also considered the YOG within a broader “Fit for the Future” discussion aimed at forming future strategies for the organisation. The EB was presented with the first results of a survey that was sent last month to all National Olympic Committees and International Federations regarding the YOG.

Based on the somewhat inconclusive results of this survey, the EB unanimously decided to put the election process for the 2030 YOG on hold, to allow time for reflection on the core objectives of holding the YOG and for the IOC to focus on a holistic Olympic Youth Strategy, in order to engage with young people across the world, and to ensure that the Olympic Movement has a strong and unified vision to inspire and engage the world’s youth in sport.

The IOC remains fully committed to the YOG in Dakar, Senegal, in 2026, and in Dolomiti Valtellina, Italy, in 2028, even as reflection and consultation on future YOG editions continue.

Click here to read article