The respective chiefs of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Association of Athletics Federations will join an illustrious list of former recipients, beginning in 1983 with the former IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch. 

The Award was created in that year to recognise persons who have "in an exceptional way furthered or contributed to the work of the Association", with the laureates acknowledged in a special Ceremony traditionally held during an ANOC General Assembly, this year due to take place in Bangkok from November 5 to 11. 

But this year's event will wield special significance because it will coincide with the first ever ANOC Gala Award Ceremony, an initiative of ANOC President Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah that seeks to commend the achievements of National Olympic Committees, athletes and coaches.

IOC President Thomas Bach addressed the ANOC Executive Council in Lausanne ©ANOC



It was confirmed today that the inaugural Ceremony will feature team and individual awards for men and women from both the London 2012 and the Sochi 2014 Olympic Games.

An NOC, athlete and coach of the year will be acknowledged, while a "breakthrough NOC of the year" will also be recognised, with a jury consisting of representatives from all five continental associations, the media and both Summer and Winter International Federations. 

Following its debut this year, it will be held on a biennial basis to coincide with each edition of the Olympic Games.

Sheikh Ahmad said afterwards that it had been "a highly productive and successful meeting".

"The ANOC Gala Awards Dinner is a concept that we have been discussing for a while and as chair of the ANOC Events Working Group, it is a project I am particularly passionate about," he added.

"The NOC's and their athletes are at the very core of the Olympic Movement but their hard work and dedication is not always recognised.

"The ANOC Gala Awards Dinner will be a celebration of all NOCs and a chance to give them the recognition they deserve."

The Gala Awards Ceremony will recognise performances from London 2012 and Sochi 2014 ©Getty Images






Elsewhere at the meeting, the first one since March, an update was provided by Bach on ANOC's key role to play in the ongoing Olympic Agenda 2020 reform process.

This contribution was praised by Sheikh Ahmad, who described how ANOC remains "united behind Olympic Agenda 2020 and fully supports President Bach's commitment to making the process as collaborative as possible". 

Positive progress was reported from the various ANOC Commissions and Working Groups following their historic convening for the first time in 31 years earlier this year, with more concrete contributions to come at the General Assembly in four months time.

But there was less to report with regard to the inaugural World Beach Games, a collaboration between ANOC and SportAccord due to be held for the first time next year.

Although it had been thought that the host and exact timing would be announced in July, Sheikh Ahmad revealed today they would wait to seek the consent of the General Assembly in November before confirming the host city.

But, he added, there has been communication with a lot of cities and there remains much interest from many International Federations to be a part of the programme.

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