Also known as: IOC
International Olympic Committee — global sports governance body that sets Olympic standards and policies, currently led by president Kirsty Coventry.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
New Era
International Olympic Committee received visit from NNOC president Ndeulipula Hamutumwa at headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland
“NNOC president Ndeulipula Hamutumwa highlighted the outcomes of a recent visit to the International Olympic Committee headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.”
Namibia gears up for major competitionsThe Namibian
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) reinstated genetic testing to determine female sex, starting with 2028 Olympics
“The International Olympic Committee (IOC) reinstated genetic testing to determine female sex on Thursday, starting with the 2028 Olympics, effectively banning transgender athletes and a large number of intersex athletes from women's sports.”
IOC reinstating gender tests ‘a disrespect for women' – SemenyaThe Namibian
International Olympic Committee announced on Thursday reintroduction of gender testing to protect female category
“The International Olympic Committee's announcement on Thursday that it is reintroducing gender testing to protect the female category, after it was last used at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, raises practical, legal, ethical and scientific questions.”
IOC's new gender testing throws up multiple questionsThe Namibian
International Olympic Committee called for guarantees of safety for Paralympics athletes affected by conflicts
“This time, the IOC merely called for guarantees of "the safety of athletes" travelling to the Paralympics in Italy, particularly "those likely to be affected by the most recent conflicts".”
Four years after banning Russia, Fifa and IOC passive in the face of warThe Namibian
International Olympic Committee expanded its scope of action under Thomas Bach
“Under her predecessor Thomas Bach, the IOC expanded its scope of action, asserting itself as the leading authority among sports governing bodies in addressing environmental impact, human rights, the integrity of competitions, and the fight against violence in sport.”
IOC chief Coventry calls for focus on sport, not politicsThe Namibian
International Olympic Committee recommended allowing Russian teams to compete at youth level
“Russia has been banned since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, but the International Olympic Committee has now recommended sports federations allow Russian teams to compete at youth level.”
Fifa president Infantino defends giving peace prize to TrumpThe Namibian
International Olympic Committee has used sport as a tool for social change
“Nations around the globe, as well as the International Olympic Committee, have for years used sport as a tool for social change.”
Social Development Through SportThe Namibia National Olympic Committee has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing sport development following engagements with the International Olympic Committee headquarters in Lausanne and government leadership, aiming to unlock opportunities for athlete development and institutional capacity building.
29 April 2026 · New Era →
The Namibia National Olympic Committee has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing sport development following engagements with the International Olympic Committee headquarters in Lausanne and government leadership, aiming to unlock opportunities for athlete development and institutional capacity building.
29 April 2026 · New Era →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah received a delegation from the Namibia National Olympic Committee and Namibia Commonwealth Games Association at State House, where she was presented with the Trophy for Distinguished African Leaders in Sport, awarded by the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa. The delegation said the award recognises Namibia's commitment to advancing sport and its growing role in the Olympic movement.
29 April 2026 · Informanté →
Sport minister Sanet Steenkamp and deputy minister Dino Ballotti met International Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry in Lausanne to discuss strengthening Namibia's sport infrastructure, athlete empowerment, and Olympic collaboration with the Namibia National Olympic Committee.
23 April 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibia National Olympic Committee and Commonwealth Games Association has established a Medical Commission, endorsed on 16 March 2026, to strengthen athlete health, welfare, and performance systems and align with international Olympic standards. The five-member commission, led by Vice President Gaby Ahrens, will advise on medical policies, athlete safeguarding, and governance through 31 December 2028.
7 April 2026 · New Era →
The International Olympic Committee reinstated genetic sex testing for female athletes at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, banning transgender and many intersex athletes from women's sports. South African distance runner Caster Semenya criticized the policy as "a disrespect for women," expressing disappointment that it was implemented under Zimbabwean IOC president Kirsty Coventry, noting that African and Global South women are disproportionately affected by such measures.
30 March 2026 · The Namibian →
The International Olympic Committee has announced the reintroduction of gender testing through SRY gene screening, last used in 1996, to protect female competition categories. The move raises practical, legal, ethical and scientific questions, with critics including the scientist who discovered the SRY gene arguing the approach is overly simplistic and lacks scientific consensus linking the test to sporting performance, while affected athletes report severe personal and financial consequences.
27 March 2026 · The Namibian →
An opinion piece argues that Namibian sports federations like Athletics Namibia and the NFA should focus on strategic growth, talent pipelines and sponsorships rather than micromanaging events, and should delegate operational duties to trained sports managers to improve performance and professionalism ahead of the 2026 African Games.
17 March 2026 · New Era →
Namibia will receive a N$9-million Fifa-standard football field at the OlympAfrica Centre in Omaruru as part of a continental partnership between Anoca and Fifa aimed at expanding access to quality sport infrastructure across Africa. The facility will provide young Namibians with improved opportunities to participate in organised sport and develop their talents in their communities.
11 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Four years after expelling Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, FIFA and the International Olympic Committee have taken a muted stance toward the recent US-led attack on Iran, prompting experts to accuse them of applying inconsistent standards and prioritizing powerful nations over principle.
10 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia will receive a FIFA-standard football field valued at approximately N$9 million through a continental partnership between ANOCA and FIFA, to be implemented at the NNOC OlympAfrica Centre in Omaruru. The sponsorship was announced by ANOCA president Mustapha Beraff during his visit for the ANOCA Zone VI General Assembly, as part of a broader initiative to develop football infrastructure and expand access to sport for young people across Africa.
9 March 2026 · New Era →
International Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry says the organisation should focus on sport and preserve its neutrality, telling IOC members that while politics cannot be entirely separated from their work, the Games must remain a neutral ground where athletes can compete free from political divisions.
4 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Gianni Infantino defended his controversial decision to give US President Donald Trump FIFA's inaugural peace prize at the 2026 World Cup draw in December, dismissing calls for a boycott. Infantino told Sky News that Trump "objectively" deserved the award and rejected suggestions that the World Cup hosting in North America would be boycotted over Trump administration policies.
3 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Beatrice Masilingi, a Namibian track athlete, stopped taking testosterone-reducing drugs imposed by World Athletics in October 2023, citing severe side effects including bone density loss. Her sponsorship deal with MTC and other endorsements have ended, leaving her facing financial strain as she considers her future in athletics.
14 January 2026 · New Era →