ASOIF’s 21 founding members - all of which governed a sport on the official programme at the Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Games - established the umbrella body 40 years ago today with the aim of representing the interests of the Summer Olympic International Federations (IF).

A new publication entitled "40 Years of ASOIF 1983-2023" has been released to mark the anniversary of the organisation.

The 63-page document highlights ASOIF’s history and achievements as well as current and future challenges and the evolution of its member federations.

In 1982, Juan Antonio Samaranch, then President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), accepted the proposal to set up two associations for the Summer and Winter Olympic IFs respectively.

It was hoped that the move to form ASOIF and the Association of the International Olympic Winter Sports Federations (AIOWF) would help to strengthen the IF’s role in the Olympic Movement and establish a coherent voice in relations with the IOC and Olympic organisers.

Italian Primo Nebiolo was ASOIF’s first President and remained in office until his death in 1999.

Switzerland’s Denis Oswald held the top job between 2000 and 2012 before Ricci Bitti was elected as leader of the organisation which now has 28 full members and four associate members.

"Celebrating ASOIF’s 40th anniversary demonstrates that we have built a strong association with purpose and direction," said Ricci Bitti.

"In our increasingly complex sport world, it is more important than ever to unite, support and promote the Summer Olympic IFs – which is the raison d’être of ASOIF.

"We must be alert, proactive and anticipate the future.

"If we work together, whilst respecting each federation’s autonomy, we can be more efficient and act smarter.

"I am convinced that strong IFs can add real value to the Olympic Movement and help to provide a healthy future for sport. 

"Serving this cause remains the motivation of everything we do."

All member federations are set to come together in Lausanne to celebrate the ASOIF’s 40th anniversary on the eve of the staging of its 47th General Assembly.

The meeting, scheduled to be held in a hybrid format at the Royal Savoy Hotel in the Swiss city, is set to see the election of three Council members.

Ingmar De Vos, the head of the International Equestrian Federation, and Morinari Watanabe, the President of the International Gymnastics Federation, are poised to be re-elected.

With World Triathlon leader Marisol Casado finishing her third and final term of office on the ASOIF Council, International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) President Petra Sörling is set to replace the Spanish official.

Sweden’s Sörling, who made history in November 2021 by becoming the first woman to be elected as President of the ITTF, has been nominated by her governing body to stand at the Council elections.

Other items on the agenda include decisions on the Paris 2024 Olympic Games IF revenue share scheme, ASOIF statute amendments and membership admissions.

Members of ASOIF are also due to receive an update from the organisation’s Governance Task Force as well as in-person reports from the IOC, the Paris 2024 Organising Committee, the World Anti-Doping Agency and the International Testing Agency.