New Delhi: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is abolishing 12 permanent committees as part of a major governance restructuring aimed at streamlining operations and reducing costs. The move will leave the organisation with 19 committees, with expert panels and temporary working groups expected to handle specific issues when required.
The restructuring comes under IOC President Kirsty Coventry, who has increasingly relied on smaller working groups to address key policy matters during her second year in the role. The revised approach is intended to provide greater flexibility in dealing with strategic priorities and developing policies.
Among the committees being discontinued is the Commission for Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. The IOC had previously assigned a review of the protection of the female category in sports to a specialised expert panel in March, rather than the existing commission. The membership of that panel was kept confidential.
The IOC Advisory Committee on Human Rights will also be abolished. The committee was chaired by Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, the former deputy president of South Africa.
Other bodies facing closure include committees responsible for sustainability, technology, athletes’ entourage and digital engagement. These committees traditionally brought together groups of around 10 to 30 members, who met annually in Lausanne, Switzerland, where the IOC is headquartered.
Under the new structure, the organisation plans to convene expert groups on an as-needed basis instead of maintaining permanent committees for every area of responsibility. The IOC expects this approach to enable more focused discussions and targeted involvement from specialists when particular issues arise.
The restructuring marks a significant change in how the Olympic body’s advisory work will be organised. While 19 committees will remain operational, the shift towards temporary expert panels places greater emphasis on flexibility and issue-specific expertise.
The impact of the changes will depend on how effectively the IOC manages key areas such as human rights, gender equality, sustainability and athlete welfare under the revised system.
