22 August 2026

More than 60 members of the International Pierre de Coubertin Committee (IPCC) participated in the Electoral General Assembly, held online on 22 August 2026.

Following the voting procedure, Stephan Wassong received 60 votes in favour and two abstentions.

The same result was produced in the vote on the composition of the IPCC Board. 

Members from all five continents joined the meeting despite the considerable time differences, reflecting the truly international character of the IPCC and the commitment of its worldwide membership.

The General Assembly provided an opportunity to review the achievements of the 2022–2025 quadrennial and to define the strategic priorities and objectives for the new period, 2026–2029.

A central part of the meeting was devoted to the elections. Professor Stephan Wassong was re-elected President of the International Pierre de Coubertin Committee, together with the majority of the members of the IPCC Board.

The General Assembly also approved the admission of eleven new individual members to the IPCC and recognised a new national committee: the National Pierre de Coubertin Committee of India (Gujarat).

The list of the members of the IPCC Board for the 2026–2029 period, together with a group photograph from the online meeting, is presented below.

Strategic Priorities for 2026–2029

An important part of the General Assembly was dedicated to the presentation and discussion of the IPCC Quadrennial Plan 2026–2029, structured around four principal areas:

1. Education
   Strengthen the IPCC’s unique educational mission by engaging young people and the Olympic Movement through innovative and contemporary programmes and initiatives.
2. Recognition
   Enhance the IPCC’s visibility, credibility and institutional standing within the Olympic Movement and society.
3. Academic Leadership
   Advance the IPCC’s relevance in research, publications and scholarly dialogue on Pierre de Coubertin and contemporary Olympism.
4. Communication and Collaboration
   Position the IPCC as a dynamic catalyst for the contemporary and multidisciplinary application of Pierre de Coubertin’s legacy through effective communication and strategic partnerships.

Key Initiatives for the New Quadrennial

Within these four strategic areas, the IPCC will focus particularly on the following initiatives during the 2026–2029 period:

1. The Olympic Athlete Project
   Develop the proposed publication The Olympic Athlete: Pierre de Coubertin’s Vision, Modern Responsibilities and Future Relevance, exploring the educational, social and ethical role of the Olympic athlete from both historical and contemporary perspectives.
2. Olympic Values and Artificial Intelligence
   Build upon the work initiated through the joint congress Olympic Values and Artificial Intelligence, held on 12 February 2026, and further explore the opportunities and challenges presented by artificial intelligence for Olympic education and the promotion of Olympic values.
3. International Pierre de Coubertin Youth Forum
   Re-establish the cycle of International Pierre de Coubertin Youth Forums, to be held every two years beginning in 2027, bringing together young people from the worldwide network of Pierre de Coubertin Schools.
4. Support for National Pierre de Coubertin Committees
   Strengthen cooperation with the National Pierre de Coubertin Committees and support their efforts to increase their visibility, activities and impact at national and regional levels.
5. Educational Resources for Pierre de Coubertin Schools
   Develop contemporary teaching materials and educational resources for teachers within the international network of Pierre de Coubertin Schools.
6. Communication and Media Presence
   Strengthen the IPCC’s media representation and communication activities in order to increase awareness of its mission, programmes and international network.
7. External Funding and Partnerships
   Develop new funding opportunities and strategic partnerships to support the sustainable growth of the IPCC and the implementation of its educational, academic and international projects.

With the beginning of the new quadrennial, the International Pierre de Coubertin Committee looks forward to continuing its international work and to strengthening the contemporary relevance of Pierre de Coubertin’s educational and humanistic legacy within the Olympic Movement and society.

Please find the list of IPCC Board members for the period 2026-2029 as well as the photo from the meeting online:

President:
Stephan WASSONG (GER)

Honour President:
Jean DURRY (FRA) 

Vice Presidents:
Nelson TODT (BRA)
Malik Atour EVELE (CMR)
Koichi WADA (JPN)
Hilla DAVIDOV (ISR)

Members:
Kostas GEORGIADIS (GRE)
Gary RHODES (USA)
Katarzyna DEBERNY (POL)
María Teresa SAMARANCH SALISACHS (ESP)

Corresponding members:
Maixent LOUBASSOU-NGANGA (CGO), for Sub-Saharan Africa
George HIRTHLER (USA), for North America
Daniel de la CUEVA (ARG), for Latin America
Alexandre MESTRE (POR), for Portuguese speaking countries except Brazil

Member ex officio:
Bernard PONCEBLANC (FRA)

Secretary General:
Elvira RAMINI (SUI)

Treasurer:
Sven CARRARA (SUI)