On the 100th anniversary of the Sorbonne Congress, the Centennial Olympic Congress took place in Paris from 29 August to 3 September 1994. It celebrated the 100th anniversary of the founding the Modern Olympic Movement, and was held at the CNIT (Centre Nationale pour Industrie et Technologie) in Paris, although a ceremony was held at the Sorbonne in remembrance of the original Olympic Congress.
President of the Centennial Olympic Congress was IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch, and the Organizing Committee was led by Nelson Paillou, president of the French Olympic Committee. There were four themes of the Centennial Olympic Congress: 1) The Olympic Movement’s Contribution to Modern Society; 2) The Contemporary Athlete; 3) Sport in its Social Context; and 4) Sport and the Mass Media. Again, a single day of the Congress was devoted to each topic. Each of the themes had several sub-themes which were discussed.
The Centennial Olympic Congess had become huge, some would say similar to the gigantism now associated with the Olympic Games. There were 1,687 official participants, with the standard representatives of the IOC, IFs, and NOCs, now supplemented by representatives of the athletes, officials, coaches, media, and a large category of 530 “experts,” many of whom were asked to speak at the Congress.
The Centennial Olympic Congress produced a large volume of literature, including a voluminous Final Report. The conclusions of the Congress were described in a final statement which encompassed 61 points. A summary of the most important of these points, quoting from the final document, is given below.
Theme I – The Olympic Movement’s Contribution to Modern Society
A. Olympism and its ethic; the structures of the Olympic Movement
- The fight against all forms of discrimination in sport should be continued and, where necessary, intensified.
- The unity of the Olympic Movement is a primary objective of the IOC, the IFs, the NOCs and everyone connected with it. It must be constantly reinforced.
B. Sport and the Environment
- The necessity of respecting the environment must figure among the Fundamental Principles of the Olympic Charter, and in this regard, it is suggested that the IOC create an Environmental Commission. This was done shortly after the Congress.
- All aspects of the environmental impact of organizing the Olympic Games must be a constant concern of the Olympic Movement. Respect for the environment must be an important criterion in the choice of host cities of the Olympic Games.
C. The Future of the Olympic Games and The Program
- The principal criteria for inclusion in the Olympic Program should be the universality and popularity of the sports. In order to evolve, the Olympic Program should also take into consideration the development of sports in contemporary society, as well as the respect of certain traditions.
- The Congress notes that continental Games may for certain International Federations serve as a framework for qualification events for the Olympic Games.
D. The Olympic Movement and International Understanding
- After a century of existence, the Olympic Movement reaffirms its commitment to international understanding and peace.
- The role of the Olympic Movement in the establishment of a peaceful world respectful of human dignity must be pursued in co-operation with governments and international organizations in mutual respect for the competence and identity of each institution.
Theme II – The Contemporary Athlete
A. The Athlete’s Development, Place and Role in Society
- Given what they represent, athletes must make every effort to set a good example to young people. Athletes must take this responsibility together with their entourages.
- Greater attention should be devoted to disabled athletes, who should benefit from more opportunities to participate in high-level sport.
B. High-Level Competitive Sport and its Organization
- Women’s accession to positions as sports leaders must be encouraged and accelerated.
- Sports organizations must give an expanded role to athletes within their governing bodies. Furthermore, those IFs and NOCs which have not yet done so should create athletes’ commissions.
- The creation, under the aegis of the NOCs, of national associations of Olympic athletes comprising all athletes who have taken part in the Olympic Games should be encouraged. These associations should be grouped together in an international association under the auspices of the IOC.
C. Sports Science and Modern Training
- The impact of the quality of sports equipment on performance must be controlled so as not to place certain athletes at a disadvantage. Furthermore, all concerned must constantly evaluate and consider the effects of the technical development of sports facilities and equipment on the safety of athletes and spectators.
D. Potential Dangers Affecting the Athlete
- The Congress notes the progress made in the fight against doping launched and conducted by the IOC, IFs and NOCs, a struggle which must be intensified, with efforts made to determine the real responsibilities in all cases. Education campaigns should be implemented on a large scale, unannounced tests must be increased, methods of control and sanctions be unified and national and international regulations be harmonized.
- Systematic recourse to the arbitration procedure of the Court of Arbitration for Sport must be strongly encouraged.
Theme III – Sport in its Social Context
A. Sport and Politics
- Public authorities must respect the universality and autonomy of the Olympic Movement.
- Sport and athletes must not be used for political purposes.
B. Sport and the Economy
- The Olympic Movement must continue to ensure its financial autonomy, notably through diversification of its sources of revenue.
- Revenues derived from sport must be channeled back into sport.
C. Sport for All
- Sport for all, as its description implies, must make the practice of sport more accessible to all categories of society without distinction of age or gender. Sport for all is the responsibility of all.
- The attention of the public authorities should be drawn to the necessity to find ways and means to ensure the extension of sport for all as a factor of health and social development.
D. Sport in the Developing Countries
- The Olympic Movement must do its utmost to help reduce the inequalities in sport between economically advanced and developing countries. Olympic Solidarity should co-ordinate its activities with the IFs, NOCs and other organizations having programs of sports assistance. It must profit from the remarkable boom in sports assistance that has arisen in recent years in order to seek new formulae that would allow it to expand its field of action.
Theme IV – Sport and the Mass Media
- In order to ensure better dissemination of the values of Olympism and the humanist message of sport, information and training opportunities enabling journalists to improve their knowledge should be made available.
- The Olympic Movement must facilitate the task of the media by guaranteeing the right to information, and free access to the competition sites, for properly accredited persons.
- Journalists must abide by the ethics of their profession.