The IF Forum 2024 commenced today at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland. From 21 – 23 October, the forum is set to welcome a record number of over 425 delegates from the sporting world. Leaders from International Federations (IFs), governing bodies, and other key stakeholders have gathered to engage with this year’s theme, “Ensuring your IF is match fit and future-ready”.
The event was officially inaugurated by IOC Vice-President Nicole Hoevertsz, setting the stage for a series of impactful discussions. “This IF Forum is a timely moment for the entire IF community to chart the course of the future of sport,” said Hoevertsz.
This introduction was followed by a welcome from Christelle Luisier Brodard, President of the State of Vaud.
President of SportAccord, Prof. Dr. Uğur Erdener, welcomed delegates with a message: “This year’s theme challenges us to adapt and innovate amidst a rapidly evolving global landscape. Over the next three days, we will delve into some of the most pressing topics impacting the sport sector today, empowering our organisations to thrive.”
The opening day on Monday featured a series of insightful keynotes. Witold Bańka, President of WADA, spoke about advancing a global anti-doping system beyond 2024. Shane Warden, Principal Consultant Sports at Amazon Web Services discussed the indispensable role of digital expertise in modern corporate leadership. Concluding the series, Andrew Ryan, Executive Director at ASOIF, shared his perspective on the transformative changes IFs have undergone over the last three decades and what they need to think about for the next three decades to come. The first day concluded with a reception which also celebrated the 40th anniversary of ARISF.
The IF Forum 2024 is set to explore the pressures IFs face, including increasingly fragile revenues and an expanding list of demands on resources. Over the course of three days, more than 40 thought leaders will lead discussions in over 10 topic-specific sessions focusing on critical areas such as anti-doping, athlete mental health, the application of new technologies and the Olympic Esports Games.
Wednesday morning will be dedicated to exploring how AI and new technologies are transforming the operations of IFs. In the afternoon, the focus will shift to sustainability, with sessions conducted in conjunction with the International Olympic Committee. Details of the full programme and sessions are available here.
SportAccord President Erdener emphasised the importance of the forum in driving change: “Let this forum act as a catalyst for innovative ideas and meaningful collaborations, equipping our leaders to steer their organisations towards a future that is match fit and future-ready.”
The IF Forum 2024 is supported by select partners, including Marsh, Explore Edmonton, Sport Event Denmark, ISTAA, Dawson Andrews, and Quality. The city of Lausanne and the Canton of Vaud are hosts of the forum. The IF Forum also benefits from the support of the International Olympic Committee.
For the full schedule, a list of speakers, and more information regarding the IF Forum 2024, visit sportaccord.sport.
