The International Olympic Committee warned its stakeholders that accounts impersonating President Thomas Bach have been contacting members of the organisation to obtain sensitive information. 

The IOC reported that at least two fake WhatsApp and Telegram accounts, as well as emails, have been contacting high-ranking persons from various walks of life, including senior politicians and Olympic Movement officials. The campaign even uses a deep-faked voice purporting to be that of the IOC President, created using Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The contacted persons are lured into sensitive conversations to gain unauthorised access to their systems. The unknown perpetrator has also tried to gain access to Bach’s sensitive data, by contacting him and impersonating a high-ranking politician. The attempt was not successful.

The campaign is wide-ranging and sophisticated, reaching out to an unknown number of high-ranking officials and the IOC asks everyone to be extremely vigilant if they are contacted. The IOC, its President and the Olympic Games were already part of a widespread disinformation and defamation campaign ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

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 The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has published the manifestos, opens new tab of the seven candidates to succeed Thomas Bach as president in March.

Below is a selection of some of the key manifesto points of the seven candidates:

Sebastian Coe, British, 68

Qualifications – President of World Athletics, organised and delivered 2012 London Olympics, former member of British Parliament, IOC member since 2020, double Olympic 1500 metres gold medallist.

Key quotes from the manifesto and presentation:

* The IOC is not a broken organisation but it can be so much better and it needs change. There is too much power in the hands of too few people. The decision-making processes are out of balance and the fences need to be taken down. The members are under-utilised. There is no shortage of talent and I want to take advantage of the huge bank of knowledge and experience that exists there.

* I know there is an appetite for change from the members.

* I’ve effectively been preparing for this role my whole life, which has always been dedicated to sport. I don’t know if my approach will ruffle the feathers of current senior officials but that’s not my concern. My only interest is in making the organisation better.

* The most potent social worker in all our communities is sport. We have to do more to engage with governments to know what this means – this is our core business.

* I’m very comfortable where we’ve got to in athletics on the protection of the female category. If you don’t have clear policies you end up with what happened in Paris (in boxing).

* It’s a job I know I can do, a job that massively excites me. I have experience of reforming the sport of athletics.

* It’s exciting and would be the privilege and honour of my life and I’m ready.

Prince Feisal Al Hussein, Jordanian, 61

Qualifications – President of the Jordan Olympic Committee, Chairman of Jordan Motorsport, Executive Board Member of Olympic Council of Asia, Member of the Executive Council of the Association of National Olympic Committees

IOC: Member since 2010, member of Executive Board since 2019.

* Where our Games are held also necessitates a review of when they are held. I believe our changing climate requires a review of the sporting calendar so more host cities can bid for the Olympic Games.

* We must also look at how we can maximise Olympic Games revenue share for IFs and NOCs.

* Esports: It is clear we must collude and not collide with this genre of sport. I believe that the Olympic Esports Games, like the Olympic Qualifier Series – with its focus on urban sports – are a step in the right direction.

* I intend to engage the world’s youth beyond the Olympic Games period to daily engagement throughout the whole quadrennial.

* AI: Properly harnessing AI can enhance the enjoyment of sport while levelling the playing field. As we continue to explore the IOC’s Olympic AI Agenda, we must ensure this technology is accessible to all.

* From my years in military command to my work with the National Policy Council, I have learned that effective leadership stems not from imposing ideas but from listening, building trust and drawing upon the collective wisdom of a team.

Juan Antonio Samaranch Jr., Spanish, 65

Qualifications – Member of the Spanish National Olympic Committee since 1989; first Vice-President of the International Modern Pentathlon Union since 1996, CEO and founding partner of GBS Finance S.A. Son of former IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch, Member since 2010 and Member of the Executive Board from 2012-2016 and since 2019. IOC Vice-President from 2016-2020 and since 2022.

* Athletes are the heartbeat of the Olympic Movement, and IOC Members are its guardians and trustees. From our conversations, it is clear that Members need a stronger voice in shaping our future. We must also revisit the age limit – Extend the retirement age to 75 – to ensure we are not arbitrarily losing the benefits of experience and knowledge.

* Commission a comprehensive operational review with an experienced external resource, Olympic experts, and select IOC Members to evaluate all IOC programs for alignment with the mission, impact, and return on investment with four primary areas of focus: Streamline Processes, Modernize Technology, Optimize Resources and Measure Performance.

* Members should decide on the Host City selection and should remain flexible and open to adjusting our calendar to make hosting the Games more accessible for all regions, given our changing climate and commitment to Universality.

* Review the increasing geographical spread of Games venues. While there are valid reasons to disperse them strategically, such decisions should be based on legacy issues and operational realities, not politics.

* We should protect women in sports. The IOC has a fundamental duty to safeguard women’s sport by adopting a policy to maintain unambiguous distinctions between men’s and women’s categories. The IOC must lead on this issue by setting clear guidelines for competition.

* Continue engaging with global leaders to emphasize and uphold the importance of maintaining the Olympic Movement’s political independence.

* Conduct an immediate review of our Media agreements along with our partners to ensure that we are maximizing the reach and promotional opportunities for the Olympic brand.

* Based on my banking experience, I believe that there is potential to establish a $1 billion investment fund in which the IOC contributes specialised knowledge and insights while investors provide the necessary capital. This partnership structure would enable the IOC to participate financially with minimal risk.

Kirsty Coventry, Zimbabwe, 41

IOC member since 2013, chairperson of the Athlete Commission (2018-2021). In 2023 was re-appointed as Zimbabwe’s Minister for Sports, Art and Recreation. Seven Olympic swimming medals from five Olympics.

* My mission to drive empowerment, strengthen engagement, and ensure we remain relevant, is guided by the Ubuntu philosophy: “I am because we are.” This principle highlights the combined strength of the Olympic community and our responsibility to uplift one another.

* Harnessing the power of sport. Recognising that athletes are more than competitors, we must continue to prioritise their mental health, physical recovery, and amplify their holistic well-being throughout their athletic careers beyond

* Harness the expertise of our International Federations to enhance the impact of every event.

* The Olympic Games must lead by example in environmental responsibility, championing sustainable practices in infrastructure, logistics, and operations

* Zero tolerance for corruption, doping and unethical behaviour. I believe our Olympic Movement has a pivotal role to play in today’s world, a world increasingly divided. We have the opportunity to demonstrate the true power of sport: the resilience to rise after failure, the strength to never give up, and the importance of understanding and respect.

Johan Eliasch, Swedish-British, 62

President of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), former Special Representative of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. IOC: Member since 2024.

* In a world of high expectations and forensic scrutiny of the IOC, we must ensure our organisation is dynamic and businesslike. Successful organisations which have sustained success are built on rock-solid foundations, such as a strong focus on governance, clearly defined areas of responsibility, accountability, and authority throughout the organization, strategic thinking, with clearly articulated objectives, a culture of collaboration, creativity and innovation and succession planning. The IOC must be no different.

* In a world of fast-changing technologies, we must stay ahead of the commercial curve and get more for less. In the coming years we must strike the right balance between sponsorship goals, television rights exploitation, digital strategies and new commercialization models.

* In a world divided by politics, poverty and inequality, we must unite around our values. We must uphold the precious principle of political neutrality and we must safeguard athletes from being weaponised for political purposes.

* The IOC must lead on the issue of gender and eligibility, creating the framework for international federations. The IOC should lead the way, establishing a simple and clear policy to ensure a fair and safe environment for all athletes, particularly women.

* Would the benefits of prize money for Olympic athletes outweigh the drawbacks? Our movement is about celebrating human excellence and endurance; athletes devoting years to producing their best possible performance and receiving rewards far deeper than money: national pride, personal glory and their competitors’ respect. We must ask ourselves: is introducing prize money consistent with this spirit? And is it necessary?

* How can we make the Games more attractive to younger generations – and how can we engage them more than once every couple of years? The IOC must explore ways to boost the Olympic profile between the Games. E sports may seem distinctive in many ways from Olympic sport, but their fast-growing popularity offers a glimpse of a tantalising future in which Olympic values are leveraged to reach a larger and younger audience.

David Lappartient, French, 51

President of Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), President of the French National Olympic and Sports Committee. IOC Member since 2022.

* Commissions: I will propose a small reduction in the number of commissions and the number of Members in each commission to improve their efficiency.

* Gender parity: Women make up 41% of our membership… I propose setting a goal to achieve parity among Members no later than 2036.

* I would ask Members if they would agree to a slight increase in the number of IOC Members, which would come from the Athletes Commission and ensure that each continent is represented in order to take a more universal scope.

* Doping: We must continue to innovate in the fight against doping and marshal the necessary resources because the funds allocated to research by the WADA are not enough.

* As part of our desire to be present in every region of the world…I hope that we can organise the Olympic Games in Africa in the future.

* I believe it would also be worthwhile to better define the conditions for adding new sports to the programme of the Olympic Games (universality, quotas, Olympic revenue, etc.) and integrating new disciplines of sports already on the Olympic programme.

* Esports: We need to throw our weight behind the Olympic Esports Games and get International Federations involved whenever possible. National Olympic Committees will also play a key role in overseeing the teams defending their national colours.

* We must avoid building infrastructures in sensitive natural areas and make sure to mitigate the impact of sporting events on biodiversity.

* I also deem it important to rein IOC spending to save as many resources as possible for the implementation of our missions and substantial disbursements to Members of the Olympic Movement.

* I will table a proposal at the IOC Session to convene an Olympic Congress in accordance with Rule 4 to enrich our Agenda through a debate with all the stakeholders of sport. It would be the 14th Olympic Congress. The most recent one was held in Copenhagen in 2009.

Morinari Watanabe, Japanese, 65

IOC member since 2018, President of the International Gymnastics Federation.

* Stage the Olympic Games in five cities from the five continents, in the same period of time. – IOC and IFs can choose a city that will provide an environment with less burden on athletes. Bringing the five continents together – The Games will be broadcast and streamed 24 hours a day, which will unite the world. 10 sports per host city, 50 sports in total. – With fewer (1/3) numbers of IFs involved per each of host city… will allow the use of more existing and temporary facilities to be considered. – Discussions will also be undertaken for the Winter Olympic Games to reduce the number of sports per host city with a view to organising the Games in several host cities and countries/regions.

* As the Olympic Games expand to five continents, broadcast and streamed 24 hours a day, the reach of Worldwide Partners will increase and the broadcast and streaming time of Rightsholders will extend. I would like to discuss with the current Worldwide Partners and Rightsholders how they can further capitalize on the growing value. The IOC and the Partners/Rightsholders will build a ‘win-win’ marketing system to increase revenues.

* As IOC members are experts in different fields, a system will be created to allow IOC members to actively contribute to the world by using their respective skills and careers. For example, politicians can promote “Sport and Politics” and entertainment industry professionals can promote “Sport and Entertainment”

* Change in the term of office of the IOC President to a maximum of 12 years (from eight).

* As President of the International Gymnastics Federation, I have visited more than 160 countries. I meet with athletes, coaches and officials from different countries and ask for their opinions. I believe it’s my job to listen to everyone and make their dreams come true.

-Reuters

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has been indicted by an investigative panel set up on Nigeria’s negative exposure at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

The Mumini Alao investigative panel set up by the former sports minister, John Owan Enoh came to the conclusion that the AFN officials were responsible for the omission of Favour Ofili’s name among the competitors of the 100m race for which she was qualified.

The committee recommended that the AFN should compensate the disappointed athlete, the sum of $5,000 or its equivalence in Nigerian currency (N8million). 

This is to take care of the disappointment and depression that the athlete suffered on account of her omission from the women’s 100 meters event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

That was the high point of the 54-page report of the panel which was to have been released last week but was put on hold owing to the change in administration of Nigerian sports governing body.

The new man on the saddle, Shehu Dikko reportedly gave apporoval for the release of the committee’s report.

 According to the report, conclusive evidence revealed that the Secretary General of the AFN, Mrs Rita Mosindi, was  negligent in her duty of communicating to the then Ministry of Sports Development and the Nigeria Olympic Comm ittee (NOC) information about Favour Ofili’s event status in a reliable and timely manner.

It is recommended that  Mosindi should be penalized. She is not alone. The committee also indicted the AFN technical director, Samuel Onikeku.

“Conclusive evidence also revealed that the Technical Director of AFN, Mr. Samuel Onikeku demonstrated poor judgement by neither reporting nor acting on information about the non-registration of his own athlete, Favour Ofili, for the women’s 100 meters event when he first got a “hint” of the “rumour.”

“Ofili’s situation might have been rescued if the Technical Director had reported or acted immediately on the information that he received. Mr. Onikeku should be sanctioned by the Board of AFN of which he is a member.