ANOC PRESIDENT END OF YEAR MESSAGE

As 2025 draws to a close, we reflect on another important year for the NOC family and the wider Olympic Movement.

This has been a particularly significant year with the election of IOC President Kirsty Coventry in March and the handover ceremony in June. We would like to thank IOC Honorary President Dr Thomas Bach for his immense contribution to the Olympic Movement and for his cooperation with ANOC during his term.

ANOC warmly welcomes President Coventry’s leadership and the collaborative consultation process she has undertaken as part of the IOC’s Fit for the Future plans. We are encouraged by the important role she has placed on NOCs, ensuring that their feedback is heard and valued as the IOC develops its future strategy.

ANOC will continue to advocate for the interests of NOCs and ensure they are effectively represented as this critical work progresses. We look forward to seeing the outcomes of this consultation process and encourage all NOCs to continue contributing through the official channels. A strong voice from the NOC family will only strengthen the Olympic Movement as we adapt to meet the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Beyond the governance of our Movement, 2025 has been a busy year of competition with numerous multi-sport events at the continental level bringing NOCs together in peaceful competition. We have seen the Winter and Summer European Youth Olympic Festivals (EYOF) and the Games of the Small States of Europe, the Pacific Mini Games, the Asian Winter Games and Asian Youth Games, the first African School Games and African Youth Games, and the Pan American Junior Games. ANOC congratulates all NOCs and their athletes for their outstanding performances in these competitions, as well as the Continental Associations and Organising Committees for delivering excellent events.

ANOC is proud to have been able to support NOCs at many of these events through our Digital Accelerator Programme. At the Pacific Mini Games, Games of the Small States of Europe and the Islamic Solidarity Games, ANOC provided on-the-ground digital support with ANOC.tv studios developing content for NOCs and athletes to share and enhance their social media presence. For the Summer EYOF in Skopje, we provided virtual support through ANOC.tv and the ANOC Digital Content Hub, in addition to broadcasting the Junior Pan American Games. It has been fantastic to see the positive engagement from NOCs with these initiatives.

This year marked the launch of the ANOC Digital Content Hub – a unique platform designed to connect NOCs and International Federations in a unified digital ecosystem that enhances Olympic communication and collaboration. This innovative tool represents another step forward in ANOC’s commitment to equipping NOCs with the resources they need to thrive in an increasingly digital world.

Looking ahead to 2026, there is much to anticipate. The year will begin with the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in February, with close to 100 NOCs participating. We have every confidence it will be a spectacular celebration of winter sport and the Olympic values we all share. Later in the year, NOCs will head to Dakar, Senegal, for the Youth Olympic Games. This is the first time that an IOC event has been held in Africa and an opportunity for the stars of tomorrow to perform on the world stage.

These Games represent exactly what sport should be – opportunities for the world to come together in peaceful competition. In a world facing numerous challenges and conflicts, ANOC stands in solidarity with all NOCs and athletes affected. We remain committed to the fundamental principles that protect sport’s ability to unite people across all divisions.

Beyond the Games, preparations are well underway for the XXVIII ANOC General Assembly in Hong Kong, China, where the world’s NOCs will come together again. We look forward to once again hosting the ANOC Awards, celebrating the outstanding athletes and NOCs from Milano Cortina 2026, and the Theme Sessions which provide a valuable forum for NOCs to share ideas and best practice in a constructive environment.

The General Assembly will also see the election of the ANOC Leadership for 2027-2030, marking an important moment for our organisation. This will be an opportunity for the NOC family to shape the future direction of ANOC and ensure it continues to serve the priorities and needs of all NOCs.

In the meantime, ANOC will continue to support NOCs and actively seek ways to enhance the services and programmes we provide. We remain committed to representing your interests and proactively ensuring that the voice of the NOCs is heard at every level, while fostering collaboration across the NOC family and building a stronger Olympic Movement together.

We wish all NOCs a peaceful and restful end to 2025 and look forward to an exciting year ahead.