Congress logo launched in Copenhagen

Copenhagen has today launched the logo for the 13th Olympic Congress and the 121st IOC Session, to take place in the Danish Capital in October 2009. IOC President Jacques Rogge, who attended the ceremony at the world famous Tivoli Garden, expressed his high appreciation for the logo: “The slogan of the 13th Congress ‘Taking the pulse’ is nicely reflected in the logo and shows how vital the Olympic Movement is. The red heart also stands of course for the cordial Danish population and the commitment with which the Organising Committee is organising this event.”

The role of sport in society
President Rogge underlined in his short address the role sport and the Olympic Movement play in society. “Sport has played, plays and will always play, an important role worldwide.” According to Rogge, the IOC and all other members of the Olympic Movement will seize the opportunity of the 13th Congress in Copenhagen to demonstrate what has already been achieved in this field, that the Movement is committed to fully playing its role and that it is taking up every challenge in order to set the bar even higher.

The important role of Olympic Congresses
Previous Congresses have led the Movement into new eras and set the tone for the years to come:


- Varna in 1973 set the pace to integrate professional sport into the Movement


- Baden-Baden 1981 prepared the field for the Athletes’ Commission and so gave athletes a strong voice in the Movement


- Paris 1994 anticipated the environmental challenges and paved the way for the environment as the third pillar – together with sport and culture – of the Movement.

What can we expect from the Copenhagen Congress?
Under the umbrella of the overall theme “The Olympic Movement in Society”, the Copenhagen Congress will look closely at five main themes:

- Olympic Games,

- Athletes,

- the structure of the Movement,

- Olympism and Youth and

- the digital revolution

The outcome of the Congress will spur on the Olympic Movement to strengthen its social responsibility and to become an even more active player in society.

Danish Year of Sport
Denmark is adding an important layer to the Congress by Organising the Danish Year of Sport. “All the events organised in the framework of that project are the best illustration for the place of the Olympic Movement in Society” said President Rogge.