Cascais, Portugal - October 31, 2024: Prince Fahd bin Jalawi bin Abdulaziz bin Musaed, vice president of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee (SOPC), participated in the 27th General Assembly of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC), held in Cascais, Portugal. Convening Olympic leaders from around the world, the meeting was chaired by ANOC President Robin Mitchell and International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Dr. Thomas Bach, who guided discussions on the future of global Olympic initiatives and activities.
The assembly agenda included comprehensive reviews of ongoing Olympic preparations and activities, with key reports delivered by the organizing committees for upcoming events. The Paris 2024 Summer Olympics report highlighted the host city's progress and readiness to deliver a memorable Olympic experience, while Italy’s 2026 Winter Olympics organizers shared insights into preparations to welcome the world to the winter sporting showcase. Additionally, representatives of the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, discussed their unique approaches for youth engagement, while reports from Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032 offered exciting previews of future Olympic and Paralympic plans.
Beyond event-specific updates, attendees addressed critical recommendations to optimize the roles and activities of National Olympic Committees (NOCs) within IOC guidelines, focusing on enhancing participation in IOC-led events. The discussions reinforced a commitment to advancing the Olympic movement globally, with a focus on inclusivity, sustainability, and continued international cooperation among the NOCs.
On the sidelines of the General Assembly, Prince Fahd bin Jalawi held productive discussions with key figures in international sport. In a meeting with Marco Scolaris, president of the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC), the two leaders explored avenues for collaboration to promote sport climbing’s growth and popularity in Saudi Arabia. The discussion underscored SOPC’s dedication to diversifying the Kingdom's sports offerings and encouraging broader participation in emerging sports.
Additionally, Prince Fahd met with Antonio Arimany, the newly elected president of World Triathlon, focusing on opportunities to elevate triathlon's profile in Saudi Arabia. Recognizing the sport's appeal and potential for growth, the SOPC aims to work closely with World Triathlon to encourage greater participation and competition in the Kingdom.
The Saudi delegation also engaged in talks with Anneke van Zanen-Nieberg, president of the Netherlands National Olympic Committee, during which they discussed the potential for exchanging technical expertise. This exchange aims to foster Olympic and Paralympic sports development in both countries, with a focus on optimizing training methods, coaching resources, and athlete development programs.
Through his participation in the ANOC General Assembly, Prince Fahd bin Jalawi reaffirmed SOPC’s dedication to global cooperation within the Olympic community, advocating for initiatives that advance athletic performance and elevate the international standards of sports across all disciplines.