Sheikh Ahmad, the Kuwaiti who also heads the Olympic Council of Asia, particularly cited November's ANOC General Assembly in Bangkok as a landmark moment, in which he was re-elected as President for another four years.

This was the biggest such event in the organisation's 35-year history which served as a reminder of the importance of the role of the NOCs in the Olympic Movement, he claimed, before hailing the success of the inaugural ANOC Gala Awards Dinner held during the meeting.

"The evening was a spectacular celebration of NOC diversity and gave us the opportunity to recognise the outstanding achievements of NOCs and their inspiring athletes for the very first time," he said.

"Some of the very best athletes from London 2012 and Sochi 2014 were in Bangkok to receive their ANOC Awards in front of the world's top media.

"The event was broadcast live with a potential reach of 350 million households worldwide reflecting the truly global nature of the event."

Work achieved by the nine ANOC Commissions and Working Groups since they were set up at the end of 2013 was also hailed, as was the launch of the new ANOC logo and a modernised ANOC website striving to be more interactive and user friendly.

Sheikh Ahmad vowed to continue to work closely with the IOC and its President Thomas Bach, pictured receiving an ANOC Merit Award during the General Assembly ©Getty Images



Unsurprisingly, the move into the new ANOC headquarters building in Lausanne was also mentioned, before a look ahead to what is to come in 2015, focusing on a willingness to continue to work with the International Olympic Committee to implement a reforming agenda.

"We now enter into 2015 stronger and more united than ever on the back of an exceptionally successful year," he added.

"However, this year is set to be even more exciting, not just for ANOC and the NOCs but for the entire Olympic Movement.

"Washington will host the XX General Assembly at the end of the year and the second ANOC Gala Awards which will look to build on the success of the first edition.

"Discussions will also continue to advance for the first World Beach Games.

"Under IOC President Thomas Bach's leadership, ANOC will work with the world's NOCs to ensure that their voice is heard as the unanimously approved recommendations of Olympic Agenda 2020 are implemented. 

"The NOCs have supported President Bach's initiative from day one and will continue to do so over the coming months and years."

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