IOC PRESIDENT THOMAS BACH OPENED THE XVII IFSC GENERAL ASSEMBLY WITH VIDEO MESSAGE

The XVII General Assembly of the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) kicked off today, with 84 representatives gathering virtually from 56 different countries and territories.

The first of three sessions opened with a video message from International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach.

“With the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 now finally on the horizon, your General Assembly is taking place at a very timely moment in this extraordinary Olympic year,” said IOC President Bach, addressing the congress. “My thanks go to the IFSC, under the great leadership of my friend Marco Scolaris, for your steadfast commitment to the success of the Games.”

“The IFSC has demonstrated flexibility, creativity, and leadership when it mattered most. You have shown this in an impressive way only a few days ago during the most successful organisation of the IFSC Climbing World Cup [in Meiringen], with over 200 athletes from three continents. It is events like this that contribute to create confidence in the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, because they are proof that sport can be organised safely even under current restrictions,”  he concluded.

The Assembly ratified the decision of the IFSC Executive Board to include the Croatian Sport Climbing Federation (HSPS) and the Federación Puertorriqueña de Escalada (FEDPR) in the IFSC – respectively representing Croatia and Puerto Rico.

The XVII IFSC General Assembly will continue tomorrow, 24 April, and conclude on 25 April, when elections for the 2021-2025 term will take place.