The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will hold its 141st session in India's commercial capital Mumbai from October 15 to 17. It will be preceded by an executive board meeting (October 12 and 13). An opening ceremony, scheduled for October 14, will also be held to showcase India's rich cultural and sporting traditions. The last time India hosted the IOC Session was 40 years ago, the 86th edition, in New Delhi in 1983. (More Sports News)
What Is An IOC Session?
Well, in layman's terms, it's just an annual general meeting of the IOC members. Traditionally, in the years when the Olympics take place, the IOC Session precedes the Games, but often as a separate occasion. In 2024, Paris will host the 33rd Olympic Games, from July 26 to August 11. In fact, there has been an Olympic Session during all Olympic Games except the 1900, 1904 and 1908 Summer Games and the 1924, 1928 and 1932 Winter Games.
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In these sessions, the authorities take important calls on selecting cities for hosting the Olympic Games, electing members and office bearers, recognising and even sanctioning sports federations and nations from the Committee, etc. Furthermore, the IOC also takes calls on adding/removing certain sports to the Games.
How Did India Get The Bid To Host This Session?
At the 139th Session of the IOC in Beijing, India won the right to host the 141st session, unopposed. India's bid was led by some notable dignitaries such as former Olympian Abhinav Bindra, Nita Ambani, who is the first woman to be on the IOC panel in 2016, the then IOA president Narinder Batra and sports minister Anurag Thakur.
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Why Is This Session So Important For India?
The 141st Session is important for India as it will show the members and delegates that it is ready to host a global multi-sports event like the Olympics. The then sports minister Anurag Thakur did mention to the media that India is keen on hosting the Olympic Games in 2036 and the Indian Olympic Association was readying a bid as well.
India's rise in the sporting world should also not be neglected with its fine showing at the Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou where it crossed the 100-medal barrier for the first time. But the main focus point in this IOC Session will be the expected announcement of whether cricket will be part of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics sports programme or not.
