The International Olympic Committee on Wednesday approved changes to the Olympic Charter put forward by its executive board, aimed at strengthening the principle of political neutrality in sport.
The revisions place greater emphasis on keeping sport free from political influence, underscoring the IOC’s responsibility to uphold neutrality “at all times” and shield it from governmental, cultural, societal and economic pressures.
The committee also approved adjustments to how Olympic sports are selected, meaning individual disciplines, rather than entire sports, will be assessed for inclusion in the Summer and Winter Games starting with the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
The IOC said decisions on which events will feature are expected in the coming months or, at the latest, by early next year.
It said the reforms are intended to protect athletes and competitions from external interference and ensure the Olympic Games are not used as a platform for political messaging.
