International Institute for Management Development to analyse governance of IOC

IMD will help conduct a review process into the governance of the IOC ©Getty Images

Sports Federations have a “strategic choice” to release financial records in a bid to improve transparency, International Institute for Management Development (IMD) professor Didier Cossin claimed here as his company began an analysis into the governance of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The IMD, a business school based here, will conduct a review process into the IOC and will report their proposed recommendations to the body in March next year.

It comes amid troubled times for sport following corruption and doping scandals which have engulfed FIFA and the International Association of Athletics Federations, prompting calls for governing bodies to be more transparent in order to root out any potential issues.

Cossin, who presented to the IOC Executive Board meeting here, also believes “high quality governance is linked to the DNA of the sports organisation” but refused to be drawn on suggestions all Federations should be made to publish their accounts each year.

“It is always a strategic choice on what Federations want to publish,” Cossin told insidethegames.

“What is beneficial from a governance standpoint has to be the bigger view to ensuring the quality of decision-making in the organisation.”

Image title — The governance of the IOC will be analysed by the IMD with recommendations due to be proposed in March ©Getty Images

The IMD will look into the strengths and weaknesses of the governance in place at the IOC and will interview every member of the Executive Board as well as outside stakeholders.

Complying with basic principles of good governance and increasing transparency were two of the recommendations put forward as part of Agenda 2020, the strategic roadmap for the future of the Olympic Movement, unanimously passed at an Extraordinary Session in Monte Carlo last year.

It is hoped the independent process, which has the approval of the IOC, will enable the governing body to demonstrate high governance standards in the future.

“In terms of structures and systems there is a business for good governance at the IOC,” Cossin added.

“The major thing is the will to look into governance as part of Agenda 2020.

“There is a clear commitment from the IOC towards transparency and financial transparency.

“The IOC has asked us to be public with our findings which we think sends a good message.”