As the International Olympic Committee (IOC) prepares for its 144th Session in Greece, where a new president will be elected, the organization has taken a moment to reflect on a decade of transformation under Thomas Bach's leadership.

Since the adoption of Olympic Agenda 2020 in 2014 and its expansion into Olympic Agenda 2020+5 seven years later during the COVID-19 pandemic, the IOC has revolutionized the Games, reinforced athlete empowerment, embraced digital innovation, and laid the foundation for a more sustainable and financially resilient Olympic Movement.

Guest are seen in front of the Olympic House, the new headquarters of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), in Lausanne, Switzerland, June 23, 2019. (Xinhua/POOL/Fabrice Coffrini)

A NEW MODEL FOR THE OLYMPIC GAMES

One of the most profound changes has been the way the Olympic Games are awarded and organized. The old competitive bidding process - which often left losing cities with heavy financial burdens - has been replaced by a more collaborative, dialogue-based approach, cutting bidding costs by 80 percent. The result has been a renewed enthusiasm for hosting the Games, with Olympic sites confirmed through 2034 and interest in 2036 and beyond growing.

Paris 2024 was a showcase of this new vision, blending sustainability, urban integration, and mass participation. The Games ran on 100 percent renewable energy, with a 54.6 percent reduction in carbon footprint compared to previous editions. Events were brought into the heart of the city, with iconic landmarks providing dramatic backdrops for competition.

Meanwhile, new initiatives such as the public marathon and expanded Olympic education programs helped create an Olympic experience that extended far beyond the stadiums.

ATHLETES AT THE HEART OF THE MOVEMENT

The IOC has strengthened its commitment to athlete empowerment, ensuring they are not just participants but key stakeholders in the Olympic Movement. The Olympic Scholarships for Athletes - Paris 2024 program provided direct support to 1,560 athletes from 195 member committees, leading to 75 Olympic medals. Additionally, the Olympic Solidarity fund has seen a 67 percent increase in budget, reaching 167 million U.S. dollars for 2025-2028, benefiting over 250,000 athletes.

Ensuring a clean and fair competition environment has also been a priority. The establishment of the International Testing Agency (ITA) has helped make anti-doping efforts more independent and effective, with 90 percent of athletes tested before Paris 2024 - a notable increase from previous Games.

THE DIGITAL REVOLUTION AND THE RISE OF ESPORTS

Paris 2024 was the most digitally engaged Olympics in history, underscoring the growing importance of social media, AI, and new digital experiences in shaping the Games. The IOC reported a staggering 412 billion digital engagements, a 290 percent increase from Tokyo 2020. The Olympic Web and App attracted 325 million unique monthly users, solidifying Olympics.com as one of the largest digital platforms in sports.

In addition to expanding digital access, the IOC is taking its first major step into esports. In July 2024, it announced the creation of the Olympic Esports Games, with the inaugural edition set to take place in Saudi Arabia in 2027 under a 12-year partnership. This move signals a shift toward engaging younger audiences and recognizing the evolving landscape of competitive sports.

FINANCIAL RESILIENCE AND A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

Amid global economic fluctuations, the IOC has maintained strong financial stability, securing 7.4 billion U.S. dollars in revenue for the 2025-2028 cycle, with 6.5 billion dollars already lined up for 2029-2032. With 90 percent of its revenue reinvested into global sports development, the IOC's daily contribution to athletes and sports organizations has risen to 4.7 million dollars - up from 3.25 million dollars in 2014.

Governance reforms have also been a focus, with the IOC voluntarily adopting International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) to enhance transparency and leading efforts to combat corruption and match-fixing in sports.

As the IOC moves forward, its decade of reform has reshaped the Olympic landscape, making the Games more sustainable, more digital, and more accessible than ever before. The 144th Session, which to take place in Greece from March 19 to 21, will not only mark the election of a new IOC president but also set the course for the next phase of Olympic transformation.