FAI and the Olympic Movement
The FAI and the IOC (International Olympic Committee) share much more history than just their location in Lausanne, Switzerland.
The FAI is proud to have committed to the Olympic Charter and to be a part of the Olympic Movement as an ‘IF’ (International Sports Federation) recognised by the IOC.
The advantages of the IOC’s support
The FAI’s membership of the IOC organisation has a beneficial impact on air sports.
- The IOC provides positive support in upholding the shared values of the FAI and the Olympic Movement, for instance in promoting diversity, protecting and building the reputation of air sports and encouraging participation in air sports and solidarity within the athlete community.
- The IOC offers financial support for educational, medical and scientific programmes; the FAI receives an annual subsidy from the IOC for antidoping programmes and selected special projects.
- The FAI’s members are able to be affiliated to the IOC’s National Olympic Committees (NOCs) which allows them access to government subsidies and vital support in organising championships at national level.
A long-standing commitment to the IOC
The link between the FAI and the IOC dates back to 1905, when the IOC recommended that an international air sports federation be founded to represent the new genre of aviation-related sports developing at a rapid pace as humans took to the skies.
Since the FAI’s inception in 1905, it has continued to forge a relationship with the IOC. Both organisations uphold the same values of safety, innovation and solidarity whilst providing support to athletes pushing the boundaries to go ‘faster, higher, stronger’.
The FAI became an ‘IOC recognised IF’ (International Sports Federation) in 1986, marking a proud moment in the organisation’s history, following its 80th anniversary.
Each IF governs its sport/s at a global level and offers support and representation to its member federations in each country. Criteria for IF status include comprising over 40 National Federations (the FAI has over 100 country members), organising World Championship competitions, ratifying records and achievements and supporting anti-doping programmes as well as committing to the Olympic Charter (OC).
The OC is a written statement which describes the Fundamental Principles of Olympism and includes the rules and by-laws adopted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). It governs the organisation, action and operation of the Olympic Movement as well as setting forth the conditions for the celebration of the Olympic Games.
The FAI is also one of 39 members of ARISF – the Association of IOC Recognized International Sports Federations – and also a member of GAISF – the Global Association of International Sports Federations.
Into the future
The FAI and the IOC continue to maintain a strong relationship and the FAI contributes to the Olympic Movement’s quest for innovation and by continuing to move sport towards the future.
As an IF, the FAI is called upon to represent air sports at conferences covering the subject of the future of sport, debating topics such as e-sports, for instance drone racing, and how to increase diversity in sport.
Back in 2014, the FAI was proud to have made a contribution to the Olympic Agenda 2020, the strategic roadmap for the future of the Olympic Movement.
The FAI is also collaborating with the Olympic Channel to show air sport competitions on this global platform which is available via apps and the Olympic channel website.
