NOC International Relations Commission Holds Meeting

Iran NOC; Tehran: The session also highlighted the strategic role of Iranian representatives in international sports bodies and recent decisions by the IOC. The meeting was chaired by Keyomars Hashemi, and attended by NOC Secretary General Dr. Mahdi Alinejad, newly elected IOC member and IOC Athletes’ Commission member Soraya Aghaei, along with other commission members. Hashemi presented an analytical report based on studies conducted by several countries on the “political power of sport” and the evaluation of international seats, outlining Iran’s current position and the factors that shape countries’ influence in global sport.

He further said the assessment should not be limited to the number of international positions held, but should also consider the weight and impact of each role in global sports decision-making. He also reviewed key indicators including the role of athletes in governance structures, the geographical and gender distribution of seats among the top 10 countries, the age profile of international sports administrators, and emerging trends in sports governance, describing them as important benchmarks for planning Iran’s sports diplomacy strategy.

NOC Secretary General Alinejad also called for the commission to serve as the NOC’s sports diplomacy think tank and proposed the formation of an advisory council made up of Iranians holding positions in the IOC, the Olympic Council of Asia, international federations and other sports bodies. In the same meeting, Aghaei briefed members on the IOC’s two most recent meetings and key Executive Board decisions, including the implementation of the “Fit for the Future” strategy and a new method for shaping the Olympic Games program from Brisbane 2032 onward based on disciplines and criteria such as global appeal, development potential, sustainability and cost. The commission concluded by stressing the need for a comprehensive roadmap to expand Iran’s sports diplomacy and strengthen the country’s presence and influence in international sports institutions.