IOC reforms

Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has unveiled plans for reforms to improve the future of the Olympic Games.

Bids spread across more than one city could be considered in the future, while there are plans to introduce more sports into the Olympic program, engage younger audiences through digital platforms and the establishment of an Olympic broadcast channel. In total, the report contained 40 recommendations.

Members of the IOC will vote on the "2020 Olympic Agenda" at the Extraordinary General Meeting on December 8 and 9 in Monte Carlo. "We have to look into the future and try to address the challenges which may arise in the future and the challenges we have already now," said Bach.

"We want to show with this procedure that the IOC is opening up, that we are opening a window and we want to have fresh wind coming in," he said of the wide-reaching recommendations, published in the Swiss city of Lausanne.

One of the key recommendations is for the introduction of new sports that could be used for specific tournaments to maximize the Games' reach and exposure. Baseball and Softball, for example, are being pushed for inclusion at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

"Now the door is open (for sports). The IOC by itself can also take a decision that we are adding this or that event," Bach added.

"It only has to happen before the city is elected so that candidates know what they have to deal with. Any changes after can happen in agreement with the host city."

asz/to/rd (sid, dpa, Reuters)