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IOC Recognised International Sports Federations
To be recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), an International Sports Federation (IF) must comply with a stringent set of criteria.
These criteria comprise universality, popularity, governance, athlete welfare and development. Before an IF can be considered by the IOC, the sport it governs must be practised and organised in more than 50 countries worldwide. Furthermore, the federation must
- have an anti-doping policy which is compliant with the World Anti-Doping Agency;
- stage regular world and continental championships;
- be committed to youth development;
- have robust and independent governance structures.
Olympic Charter Rules 26 and 27 govern the recognition of an IF by the IOC. Rules 29 and 30 address the recognition of the IFs' member national federations by the National Olympic Committees.
Olympic Charter
Rule 26 - Recognition of IFs
In order to develop and promote the Olympic Movement, the IOC may recognise as IFs international non-governmental organisations administering one or several sports at world level and encompassing organisations administering such sports at national level.
The statutes, practice and activities of the IFs within the Olympic Movement must be in conformity with the Olympic Charter, including the adoption and implementation of the World Anti-Doping Code. Subject to the foregoing, each IF maintains its independence and autonomy in the administration of its sport.
Rule 27 – Mission and Role of the IFs within the Olympic Movement
1. The mission and role of the IFs within the Olympic Movement are:
1.1 to establish and enforce, in accordance with the Olympic spirit, the rules concerning;
1.2 to ensure the development of their sports throughout the world;
1.3 to contribute to the achievement of the goals set out in the Olympic Charter, in particular by way of the spread of Olympism and Olympic education;
1.4 to express their opinions on the candidatures for organising the Olympic Games, in particular as far as the technical aspects of venues for their respective sports are concerned;
1.5 to establish their criteria of eligibility for the competitions of the Olympic Games in conformity with the Olympic Charter, and to submit these to the IOC for approval;
1.6 to assume the responsibility for the technical control and direction of their sports at the Olympic Games and at the Games held under the patronage of the IOC;
1.7 to provide technical assistance in the practical implementation of the Olympic Solidarity programmes.
2. In addition, the IFs have the right to:
2.1 formulate proposals addressed to the IOC concerning the Olympic Charter and the Olympic Movement;
2.2 collaborate in the preparation of Olympic Congresses;
2.3 participate, on request from the IOC, in the activities of the IOC commissions.
Rule 29 – Composition of the NOCs
2. The NOCs may include as members:
2.1 national federations affiliated to IFs recognised by the IOC, the sports of which a are not included in the programme of the Olympic Games;
2.2 multi-sports groups and other sports-oriented organisations or their representatives, as well as nationals of the country liable to reinforce the effectiveness of the NOC or who have rendered distinguished services to the cause of sport and Olympism.
30 – The National Federations
To be recognised by an NOC and accepted as a member of such NOC, a national federation must exercise a specific, real and on-going sports activity, be affiliated to an IF recognised by the IOC and be governed by and comply in all aspects with both the Olympic Charter and the rules of its IF.