An Olympic Congress is a dynamic gathering of the leaders of global sport to discuss and debate issues of critical importance in setting the future direction of the worldwide Olympic Movement. The Olympic Congress is far rarer than the Olympic Games. While the Games occur every four years, the Olympic Congress meets about once a decade. In fact, the Olympic Games in Beijing will be the 25th celebration of the Games of the modern era; the Olympic Congress in Copenhagen in 2009 will be only the 13th Congress across the same time frame. And unlike any previous congress, this one is open to everyone’s ideas—including yours—on where the Olympic Movement is headed.
In an effort to open a dialogue with the citizens of the world, the International Olympic Committee has created the Virtual Olympic Congress (www.2009congress.olympic.org), a digital platform that provides the Olympic Family and the general public with an opportunity to share ideas and provide input. The overall topic of the Congress is “The Olympic Movement in society”; themes cover athletes, the Olympic Games, the structure of the Olympic Movement, Olympism and youth and the digital revolution. Each theme has subthemes that pose more specific questions. Visitors to the site can submit detailed essays on any or all of the themes, and each will be reviewed by the IOC. Contributions must be in French or English and must not be longer than 1,000 words. Submissions will be accepted until December 31, 2008.
This is a rare and unique opportunity to be heard by the leaders of a Movement that is active instilling the values of friendship, excellence and respect in young people in more than 200 countries throughout the year. So please weigh in on the direction of the Olympic Movement and share your opinions and insights on how this great global trust can best benefit our world.