Following its new composition elected in June, the Council of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) gathered in person for the first time on 27 October in Lausanne, Switzerland, ahead of the International Federation Forum 2025. Key points on the agenda included the ASOIF Strategy 2025-2032, International Federations’ (IFs’) governance and Olympic Games preparations.

ASOIF Strategy 2025-2032 

The ASOIF Council reviewed and approved the “ASOIF Strategy 2025-2032”, which aims to provide a clear direction for strengthening the collective influence and effectiveness of the Summer Olympic IFs within the Olympic and wider sports movement. It has been informed by a thorough membership survey and consultations earlier this year. Priorities were then discussed with the ASOIF members during an interactive meeting in June. 

Within the new strategic path, the ASOIF vision and mission statements have been updated to better reflect current priorities. They are structured around three strategic pillars: Advocacy, Influence and Representation; Olympic Games Excellence; and Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing. The strategic roadmap is planned through to 2032, aligning with the Olympic cycle and anticipating evolving governance and operational context. The strategy will be launched officially in early 2026.  

ASOIF President Ingmar De Vos said: “I am very pleased the Council has embraced the new strategy, which has our members’ priorities and needs at its heart. It also continues to prioritise IF governance, which is the most important to protect the IFs’ values, credibility and autonomy. We will share the details with our members soon and then commence the implementation phase in early 2026.” 

Strengthening good governance

IF governance remains a top priority and Council members were informed that the Sixth Review of IF Governance, aimed at ensuring and continuously enhancing a culture of good governance within ASOIF’s member federations, kicked off officially on 22 October. Member federations have now until January 2026 to complete a self-evaluation questionnaire which will once again be reviewed and moderated by the independent sports governance consultancy I Trust Sport. The results will be published in summer 2026.

Council members were also briefed about the success of the ASOIF Governance Workshop 2025 held ahead of the launch of the Sixth Review of IF Governance on 1 October. The workshop attracted more than 70 participants representing 35 IFs (including three Winter Olympic IFs) and discussed pressing topics such as managing IF elections, sports governance at national level, and the oversight of Technical Officials.

As part of the process to enhance ASOIF’s internal governance, the ASOIF Expenses Policy and Internal Financial Rules have been revised recently, taking into account latest governance best practices. During the meeting, the Council approved these new documents.

Olympic Games preparations

Council members were updated on the latest preparations for the LA28 and Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games, as well as the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.

Regarding Brisbane 2032, several ASOIF members have conveyed concerns regarding the consultation and communications process regarding venue validation. While recognising the complex nature of planning the Olympic Games, it is essential that IFs are involved early and meaningfully in venue validation as they must approve their venue(s) based upon objective criteria aimed at ensuring a level playing field for the athletes. ASOIF encourages the Brisbane 2032 organisers to proactively communicate to and engage with the IFs.

Athletes’ access to countries hosting international competitions

ASOIF fully supports the recent statement of the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee which reminds all Olympic Movement stakeholders of the importance of free and unfettered access to the respective country for all participants to attend international competitions without restrictions.

ASOIF representative for World Anti-Doping Agency Foundation Board

The Council appointed Fabio Azevedo (President, International Volleyball Federation) as the new ASOIF representative on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Foundation Board for the term 1 January 2026 – 31 December 2028. Fabio Azevedo succeeds Jean-Christophe Rolland (President, World Rowing) in this role, whose third and final three-year term on the WADA Foundation Board comes to an end on 31 December 2025.

SportAccord Convention 2026 and 50th ASOIF General Assembly 

The Council approved that the 50th ASOIF General Assembly will be held on 26 May 2026 within the framework of the SportAccord Convention 2026, which will take place between 24 and 28 May 2026 in Baku, Azerbaijan. 

The next ASOIF Council meeting is scheduled for spring 2026.