ASOIF are seeking to enhance the role of International Federations during the Olympic Games ©ASOIF

A formal structure for enhancing the role of sporting governing bodies in the planning and delivery of the Olympic Games has been advanced at a council meeting of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF).

Under a new "IF Games Engagement model", it is hoped that technical responsibilities will be transferred from Organsing Committees to the IFs. 

This will, under these plans, better utilise IF expertise and thereby ensure the seamless organisation and a reduction of costs for the Olympic Games.

The idea is billed as a part of the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) Agenda 2020 reform process, but it is likely to have been exacerbated by problems experienced in the build-up to August's Games in Rio de Janeiro.

ASOIF President Francesco Ricci Bitti, the then President of the International Tennis Federation, led the IFs in fiercely criticising Rio 2016 preparations in 2014 during the SportAccord Convention in Belek. 

He had been particularly critical of the role of the Brazilian Government in preparations.

More than 50 representatives from the 28 Summer Olympic International Federations met with the IOC in October at the Olympic Museum in order to share "experience and feedback".

ASOIF President Francesco Ricci Bitti was one of the more vocal public critics of aspects of preparations for Rio 2016 ©Getty Images
ASOIF President Francesco Ricci Bitti was one of the more vocal public critics of aspects of preparations for Rio 2016 ©Getty Images

Improving communications channels and working out how best to implement a greater and clearly defined involvement of the International Federations in the delivery of the Games was one theme thought to have been discussed.

These proposals were considered in more detail at the Council meeting and will then are being discussed again here during the ongoing Rio 2016 debrief.

Other issues on the agenda at the Council meeting included outcomes from a report on anti-doping processes and expenditure across IFs as well as current work to improve good governance criteria across ASOIF members.

“2016 has been an extremely busy year for ASOIF and its member federations," said ASOIF President Francesco Ricci Bitti following the meeting.

"The IFs contributed significantly to the successful delivery of the Rio 2016 Games.

"ASOIF developed a governance assessment process for sport organisations; and we conducted an anti-doping survey involving all 28 Summer Olympic IFs. 

"The IFs are key players in the Olympic Movement and ASOIF aims to help find practical solutions in eventful times.”