Kiri

The President His Excellency Tiit Terik Minister of Culture Republic of Estonia Lausanne, 31 March 2022 By email only Your Excellency, dear Minister Terik, I hope you are well. Today I am writing to you to share the latest position paper of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF). ASOIF’s mission is to unite, support and promote the Summer Olympic International Federations (IFs), to preserve their self-determination, and to represent their common interests and goals. We also aim to act as an added-value provider to the Olympic Movement at large, and to clearly define and uphold the role of the IFs in an increasing complex sports world. Discussions at European level on how to best safeguard values-based sport have been ongoing for a while and ASOIF has been working on the enclosed document “The solidarity model of organised sport in Europe and beyond - A stable platform for collaboration” to show our readiness to engage in a dialogue on the future of sport. Public authorities in Europe and sport organisations seem to agree on the importance of protecting the solidarity model of organised sport, which is also inherent to the European Model of Sport. However, while operating on the top of this pyramidal model, IFs regularly face challenges to their activities, including proceedings and lawsuits in various territories. The critical global role of IFs in governing their respective sports is often overlooked. This makes it difficult for IFs to realise their full potential which, in return, undermines sport development across the globe. Our paper tries to address these challenges, aiming to provide clarity on pressing items and suggesting efficient and solid solutions, with a stronger collaboration between public authorities, sport organisations and the business sector at the core. Maison du Sport International Avenue de Rhodanie 54 – 1007 Lausanne, Switzerland Tel. +41 21 601 48 88 Email : [email protected]  Page 2 As we are all witnessing the tragedy in Ukraine, the Olympic and Sports Movement is taking actions to support and demonstrate solidarity with the Ukrainian people. I believe this paper highlights that the solidarity model can contribute to the positive role of sport in society especially during these difficult times. I hope you find our contribution helpful and am looking forward to future discussions. Any feedback from your side will be very much appreciated. With kind regards, Francesco Ricci Bitti ASOIF President Encl.: Download link of the publication “The solidarity model of organised sport in Europe and beyond - A stable platform for collaboration” Maison du Sport International Avenue de Rhodanie 54 – 1007 Lausanne, Switzerland Tel. +41 21 601 48 88 Email : [email protected]