From the 19th to the 21st of November 2020, the Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee through its Athletes Commission is hosting the first athletes’ forum.
On this occasion, the Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee in partnership with the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Rwanda will also launch a 10-day awareness campaign to fight COVID-19 pandemic.
Click here for the official press release of the event.
Senegal and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have mutually agreed to postpone the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) Dakar 2022 to 2026.
President Macky Sall’s proposal was welcomed by IOC President Thomas Bach, following in-depth discussions on the subject. This postponement meets the requirement of responsibility and the concern for efficiency imposed by current circumstances.
The postponement of Dakar 2022 allows the IOC, the National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and the International Federations (IFs) to better plan their activities, which have been strongly affected by the postponement of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, by the subsequent postponements of major international sports events, and by the operational and financial consequences of the global health crisis.
At the same time, it allows Senegal to carry on the excellent preparations for the Youth Olympic Games. The two leaders, who praised the progress made so far, have jointly renewed their confidence in Dakar 2022 President Mamadou Diagna Ndiaye, IOC Member in Senegal, and both remain fully committed to the great success of these Youth Olympic Games, the first Olympic event ever to be organised in Africa.
The IOC and Senegal understand that this news will be disappointing for many young athletes. Both parties can only appeal to their understanding. This agreement results from the large scale of the operational challenges which the IOC, the NOCs and the IFs are facing following the postponement of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. With this in mind, the IOC will continue to offer all IFs and NOC Continental Associations the full content of the educational programmes of the Youth Olympic Games. This will allow for the objectives of this very important and ophthalmic hypertension component of the YOG to be maintained through the many events organised between now and 2026, in particular during the Continental Youth Games.
“This amicable agreement illustrates the mutual trust between Senegal and the IOC. I would like to express my sincere thanks to President Macky Sall, a great friend and supporter of the Olympic Movement, for this exceptional relationship of trust and quality. For all these reasons, I am sure that, together, we will organise fantastic Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026 for Senegal, the entire African continent and all the young athletes of the world,” said IOC President Thomas Bach.
“I would like to reiterate that the IOC has my full support for the organisation of the Youth Olympic Games, postponed to 2026. I take this opportunity to reaffirm my confidence in the Executive Board and welcome the commitment of its teams, working side by side with us, to make Dakar 2026, the first Olympic event in Africa, a successful and memorable occasion”, said President Macky Sall.
The agreement was approved today by the IOC Executive Board, and will be submitted to the IOC Session for ratification this Friday, 17 July 2020.
“Article of the IOC”
The IOC has been working closely with all the IFs to determine the necessary adaptations to the Olympic qualification systems for their respective sports, and athletes and National Olympic Committees (NOCs) have been consulted as well.
A representative group of NOCs was involved in the review process, and athlete consultation was sought through each IF.
A total of 57 per cent of all the qualification places had been confirmed by the time the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 were postponed. In order to adapt the qualification systems for the remaining places to the new timing of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, the qualification system principles were updated, approved by the Qualification Task Force (acting on behalf of the IOC Executive Board) and shared with all the IFs.
The updates included a number of changes, such as an extended qualification period and new deadlines:
Based on these revised qualification system principles, the IOC Sports Department worked in close collaboration with all the IFs to determine if any revisions were necessary.
There were four rounds of approvals from the IOC Executive Board (EB) Qualification Task Force, on 25 April, 6 May, 13 May and 7 July 2020.
The main objective was to implement qualification systems as close as possible to those approved by the IOC EB in February 2018.
The following sports/disciplines have finished their qualification, and the quotas have already been allocated. Team selection remains to be determined by the NOCs, as in all the sports the quotas are allocated to the NOCs. The sports/disciplines are:
The following sports/disciplines are continuing with their qualification process as initially approved, and will simply extend the qualification period to reflect the new Games dates in 2021:
The following sports/disciplines have made minor adjustments to their qualification systems, such as extended periods to obtain minimum criteria, clarification of the process for order metformin at low prices of any unused athlete places, and clarification on the use of specific events in line with the adapted 2021 IF calendars. The sports/disciplines concerned are:
The following sports/disciplines have made major adjustments to their qualification systems:
The age requirements of the sports concerned have been amended to reflect the new Tokyo 2020 dates. As a consequence, athletes who will meet the age limits in 2021 but did not in 2020 can participate in the Games. At the same time, athletes who would have been within the age limit in 2020 but no longer in 2021 can still participate in the Games. There are two exceptions, however:
All the qualification event dates and locations remain to be determined, given the ongoing global situation. These dates will be confirmed in due course by the respective IFs.
All decisions have been communicated to the IFs, and the full details for each individual sport can be found in the respective qualification system per sport.
As part of the work of the “Here We Go” Task Force currently addressing the list of issues raised by the postponement of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, the IOC Qualification Task Force was created to address all items related to the Tokyo 2020 qualification system principles. The Task Force is composed of Robin Mitchell, IOC Executive Board member and President of the Oceania Olympic Committees (ONOC); Nenad Lalovic, IOC Executive Board member and President of United World Wrestling (UWW); and Kirsty Coventry, IOC Executive Board member and Chair of the IOC Athletes’ Commission.
“Article of the IOC”
Four African countries* were in the running and, after thorough analysis, the Evaluation Commission and the Executive Board determined that Dakar, Senegal, presented the best value proposition and the greatest opportunities at this moment in time.
Dakar 2022 presented a visionary, ambitious and technically sound YOG project that addresses the long-term aims of the country.
Senegal has a large youth population and views the YOG as a catalyst for engaging young people and developing the country’s sport and youth policy.
Significant investments are already being made toward youth and sport as part of the country’s overarching framework “Plan Sénégal émergent”, which sets out the President’s vision to 2035.
IOC President Thomas Bach said: “Africa is united behind Senegal to host the Youth Olympic Games 2022. With a young population and a passion for sport, it is time for Africa, it is time for Senegal.”
The competitions and activities will be held across three cities, showing the many facets of Senegal: the historic capital of Dakar; the new city of Diamniadio; and the natural beauty of Saly on the coast.
The President of Senegal, Macky Sall, who made the journey to Buenos Aires for the historic IOC decision said: “Senegal and its young people are proud of the honour you have bestowed upon us, in entrusting the organisation of the Youth Olympic Games 2022 to our country.
“In fact, it is the whole of Africa, the birthplace of humankind through its history and the youngest continent through its demographics, which will welcome the young athletes of the world in 2022.”
Considering the unifying power of the Games, the IOC is pleased to count on the four parties, who have all endorsed the decision of the IOC and pledged full support to the selected host.
The decision took place during the 3rd edition of the Youth Olympic Games, currently taking place in Buenos Aires from 6 to 18 October.
Source: IOC
The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) announced today (5 October 2018) that Rwanda will host the 2019 CGF General Assembly and Strategic Forum. The General Assembly will be held in the capital city Kigali from 4-8 September 2019, marking the ten-year anniversary of Rwanda joining the list of Commonwealth Nations in 2009, and a year before Rwanda hosts the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in 2020.
For further information, click here: Media Release.
June 20, around nine schools on Wednesday graced the Olympic Week celebrations 2018 that started at Kamena Stadium in Huye district. The Olympic week celebrations organized by the Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee is meant to mark the 70th International Olympic Day in Huye district.
Every year the day is celebrated by Olympians across the world on 23 June, to rejoice the founding of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the modern Olympic Movement by Pierre de Coubertin in 1894.
RNOSC First Vice President, Madam Felicite Rwemalika who was present said that to mark the day, the Olympic week celebrations kicked off Wednesday with mini football competitions like this one taking place at Kamena Huye stadium.
“The Olympic week celebration is aimed at ensuring that the positive values of the Olympic Movement, excellence, respect and friendship, are promoted among the children, “She revealed.
More than 7,000 youth from 16 schools will take part in different sports activities under the theme “Move, learn and discover” to encourage people to get active in their everyday life.
The best primary school and secondary schools teams will be rewarded on Saturday, where a number of sports activities are scheduled to take place sleep disorders demonstrations in Karate, Volleyball, Football, Rugby, and Handisports as well as inter-school athletics relays.
In his commemoration message, Thomas Bach the IOC President has reminded the National Olympic Committees that Olympic day is an excellent way to encourage all people to lead healthy and active lives and to promote the role of sport in society.
Here’s the press release (Kinyarwanda Version).
The Advancing Women in Leadership Forum for Africa and Asia will be held in Kigali from 9th to 11th August, 2017.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has chosen Rwanda to host the Advancing Women in Leadership Forum for Africa and Asia 2017. The IOC was created more than a century ago with the goal of making a contribution to building a peaceful and better world by educating youth through sport practiced without discrimination of any kind, and harnessing the power of sport at the service of humanity”.
Traditionally, women were not allowed to participate in the Games, which were exclusively for men. Times have changed, and the IOC has played an important role in establishing a positive trend to enhance women’s participation in sport. Over the last 20 years, the IOC has been advocating for the participation of women at all levels, encouraging National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and International Federations (IFs) to enhance the presence of women in sport.
For a number of years, the OIC has sponsored a series conferences thus creating forums for women in leadership in various countries with the goal of expanding the women-in-sport network. These conferences provide unique opportunities for sports federations to share best practices and effective strategies for increasing the number of women in leadership roles.
Why Rwanda to host The Advancing Women in Leadership Forum for Africa and Asia 2017:
Rwanda has been a world leader in having the highest number of women in parliament. In addition, there has been increased political will to promote the participation of women sports and through this support the NOC has registered a number of successes since 2012 namely; 30% of women representation in the executive committee, increased numbers of women coaches, female international referees, CAF women instructors, increased participation in Olympic games.
Above all, in 2016, The IOC Women and Sports Trophy for Africa was won by a Rwandan woman who is the current First Vice President of Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee, Madam RWEMALIKA Félicité.
More specifically in Rwanda, women sport has been used by women as a tool for unity and reconciliation following the aftermath of the genocide and it became a forum for conversations on important social issues such as HIV/AIDS, domestic violence, poverty eradication via creation of income generation activities etc.
It is expected that the following personalities will attend:
To host this event, It will be an opportunity to promote the grassroots movement for women in sports development through out the country, the image and visibility of Rwanda to the rest of the World.
Rubavu residents turned up in big numbers on Thursday to welcome the Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton Relay that is in the country on a four-day tour.
The Queen’s Baton arrived in Rwanda on Wednesday from Ghana and headed to Rubavu District in Western Province. The Baton was carried by national swimmer Bebeto Isahaka Irankunda.
On this Friday morning, the Baton will visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre in Gisozi; while in the afternoon, it will be relayed through the streets of Kigali from the Convention Centre to Amahoro National Stadium before heading to Uganda on Saturday.
Travelling for 388 days throughout all the Commonwealth nations and territories, the relay will be the longest in Commonwealth Games’ history. The 2018 Commonwealth Games will take place in Gold Coast City in Australia from April 4-15.
Rubavu district vice mayor Janvier Murenzi said: “We are very grateful for this event and we would like to thank the organisers because it does encourage our athletes to compete in the Commonwealth Games.”
“But most importantly, we’re glad to use this occasion to implement one of our long-term projects as a country, which is environmental conservation through tree planting,” Murenzi added, in regards to this year’s Queen’s Baton Relay special theme: ‘Environmental Sustainability.’
The ceremony comprised two activities, namely; tree planting on the banks of River Sebeya and a 5-kilometre Run for Fun around Rubavu town.
Felix Uwimana won the five-kilometre men’s category clocking 12 minutes, 37 seconds and 190 micro seconds, while Eric Turikunkiko finished second with Jean Damascene Hakizimana taking the bronze medal.
In the women’s category, Jeanette Uwambajimana won the gold medal posting 14 minutes, 47 seconds and 67 microseconds. She was followed by Joseline Nyiraneza and Alicia Aganze, who won silver and bronze medal positions, respectively.
<The New Times>.
The Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton Relay arrives in Kigali on 22nd March 2017 at 05:30 pm from Ghana and will spend four days in Rwanda. The Queen’s Baton Relay departed Buckingham Palace on 13 March and will visit every Commonwealth Country as it journeys to Australia. The 2018 Commonwealth Games will take place on the Gold Coast in Australia from 4-15 April 2018.
During the commencement ceremony at Buckingham Palace, Her Majesty the Queen placed her message into the specially designed Baton and entrusted it to the first Baton bearer, legendary Australian track cyclist and Gold Coast 2018 Ambassador Anna Meares OAM.
The Queen’s Baton visit in Rwanda is scheduled as follows:
On 23rd March: The Australian High Commission, together with the Gold Coast Organising Committee and the Rwanda Commonwealth Games Association (Rwanda CGA), will take the Queen’s Baton to Rubavu to join The Ministry of Natural Resources (MINIRENA) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in celebration of “International Water Day” where they will plant the trees and award the winners of Running Cross around Rubavu Streets.
On 24 March: The Queen’s Baton will pay tribute to Genocide victims at Kigali Genocide Memorial Site and be relayed through the streets of Kigali from the Kigali Convention Centre to Amahoro National Stadium.
On 25 March: Before heading to Uganda, The delegation, the Ministry of Sports and Culture, the Rwanda Commonwealth Games Association with National Federations representatives will join the Rwandans in community work (Umuganda) in Mwurire, Rwamagana district.
The Gold Coast 2018 Relay is the longest and most accessible in history, travelling through the entire Commonwealth for 388 days and 230,000 kilometres in order to share the excitement of the Games with as many people as possible.
The Queen’s Baton Relay is a tradition of the Commonwealth Games that celebrates themes of diversity, community pride, and the sporting values of fairness, inclusivity and perseverance.
This year a special theme of environmental sustainability is highlighted. The GC2018 Baton has been made using macadamia wood and reclaimed plastic sourced from Gold Coast waterways. The design has been inspired by Australia’s indigenous heritage and with sustainability in mind.
Australian High Commissioner to Rwanda, Mr John Feakes, said “I am pleased by the opportunity that the Commonwealth Games affords Australia, Rwanda, and all Commonwealth nations to come together and recognise these important values that we share”.
Volunteering at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games will be an incredible once-in-a-lifetime experience for all those who are involved. It will be our chance to showcase to the world how diverse, friendly and skilled our community is.
Dedicated, friendly volunteers are the cornerstone of all great events and GC2018 will be no different. We’re looking for volunteers with a wide variety of skills and experience to Shape the Games for athletes, officials and fans.
Our goal is to create a volunteer-centric program that encompasses up to 15,000 capable, committed and connected volunteers.
There will be a number of different roles across all of our venues and service areas, so if you have the passion then we have the opportunity for you.
The countdown is on! There’s only 4 days left to apply to become a GC2018 volunteer, applications will close at 8pm (AEST) on Monday 20 March, 2017.
Applications can be made by visiting https://www.gc2018.com/volunteer.