The ancient stadium in Olympia could accommodate more than 40,000 spectators, while in the surrounding area there were auxiliary buildings which developed gradually up until the 4th century B.C. and were used as training sites for the athletes or to house the judges of the Games.More>>

On 23 June, 1894, Coubertin founded the International Olympic Committee in a ceremony held at the University of Sorbonne in Paris. Demetrius Vikelas from Greece became the first president of the IOC. Two years later, in 1896, the first Olympic Games of the modern era were held in Athens.More>>

What is the Olympic Program?The "Olympic Program" is the Program of sports, disciplines and events decided by the IOC for the Games of the Olympiad and the Olympic Winter Games. The Games of the Olympiad must contain at least fifteen Olympic sports. No such minimum exists for the Olympic Winter Games, which are reserved for sports practiced on snow or ice.More>>

Mission of the International Olympic CommitteeThe International Olympic Committee is the supreme authority of the Olympic Movement. Its role is to promote top-level sport as well as sport for all in accordance with the Olympic Charter.More>>

The IOC members, natural persons, are representatives of the IOC in their respective countries, and not their country's delegate within the IOC. As stated in the Olympic Charter: "Members of the IOC represent and promote the interests of the IOC and of the Olympic Movement in their countries and in the organisations of the Olympic Movement in which they serve" (Olympic Charter 2004, page 28).More>>

Association of National Olympic CommitteesThe NOCs come together at least once every two years in the form of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) to exchange information and experiences in order to consolidate their role within the Olympic Movement. In this way the ANOC helps the NOCs to prepare for their meetings with the IOC Executive Board and Olympic Congresses.More>>

Organizations of The IFsThe International Federations (IFs) are international non-governmental organisations recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as administering one or more sports at world level. The national federations administering those sports are affiliated to them. While conserving their independence and autonomy in the administration of their sports, International Sports Federations seeking IOC recognition must ensure that their statutes, practice and activities conform with the Olympic Charter.More>>