The IF Forum 2024, hosted by SportAccord, once again brought together global leaders from both Olympic and non-Olympic International Federations in the Olympic Capital: Lausanne, Switzerland, from October 21 to 23.
This annual, invitation-only gathering, known as the forum “for the IFs, by the IFs” provides an exclusive platform for International Federations to connect or reconnect, share updates, network, and strategize on shared challenges and opportunities in the global sports landscape. Key representatives from the IOC, its four umbrella organizations ASOIF, WOF, ARISF, and AIMS, along with other key stakeholders in the sporting community, including a delegation from Special Olympics International, came together to foster impactful dialogues and strengthen the spirit of collaboration within the global sports community.
This year’s IF Forum was opened by IOC Vice President Nicole Hoevertsz on behalf of IOC President Thomas Bach, and saw a new record attendance of over 425 delegates. This year, the Forum focused on the theme, “Ensuring Your IF is Match Fit and Future-Ready” featuring insights from more than 40 speakers on current topics, including tackling physical inactivity, advancing anti-doping measures, prioritizing mental health, and exploring AI and technology’s potential in sports.
With United Through Sports (UTS) actively working within the International Sports Community, we were pleased to be invited once again to participate in the Forum alongside high-level officials from the global sports community. The forum provides an ideal opportunity for UTS to build new connections, strengthen partnerships with various IFs, reconnect with friends and colleagues from across the international sports community, and encourage the sports community towards our pillars in their initiatives and events.
UTS President Stephan Fox said:
“The IF Forum 2024 was once again an essential gathering for the international federations and the UTS Family to engage with our partners, strengthening our commitment to promoting equality, inclusion, and non-discrimination. Together, we harness the power of sport to build a better, more inclusive society.“
With the Forum bringing together high-level officials from the International Federations, AIMS seizes the opportunity to conduct its General Assembly during this time in Lausanne, at the beautiful Olympic House.
This year, UTS had the opportunity to share updates on our latest initiatives, including our upcoming flagship festival scheduled for October 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Representing the Malaysia Local Organizing Committee (LOC), Azura Zainol Abidin was invited to Lausanne, where she provided AIMS members with an exciting preview of what they can expect from Malaysia as the host, showcasing key venues around Kuala Lumpur for the upcoming UTS Festival.
UTS Project Manager Michael Greiner shared:
“It was a pleasure to be invited once again to the IF Forum, where we could finally reconnect in person with friends and colleagues from the international sporting community whom we typically meet online. The IF Forum always offers a unique chance to engage directly with leaders in sport, to exchange ideas, and for us to share some of UTS’s initiatives with the global community. A huge thank you to everyone I crossed paths with this year, I look forward to our next meeting! ”
As the IF Forum concluded, UTS looks forward to working closely with its partners, sharing best practices, and building momentum towards the UTS Festival in Kuala Lumpur and future initiatives.
