The German provided an overview of the 40 recommendations that comprise the reform initiative, which was unanimously approved by the full IOC membership in Monaco last month, as part of the Olympic Agenda 2020 TOPs summit.

"For many decades, the Worldwide TOP Partners have demonstrated the importance of their support for the entire Olympic Movement," Bach said.

"Our Partners were an integral part of the Olympic Agenda 2020 discussion phase throughout 2014.

"As we move to implementation, following the unanimous approval of the Olympic Agenda 2020 recommendations last month, the Partners, along with the other stakeholders of the Olympic Movement, have an important role to play, and at today's summit we discussed opportunities for further future collaboration."

IOC director general Christophe De Kepper provided further details on the next stage of the Olympic Agenda 2020 process - planning and implementation, then the delegates focused on several key themes including "the uniqueness of the Olympic Games", "athletes" and "Olympus in action".

Timo Lumme also spoke at the Olympic Agenda 2020 TOPs summit ©Getty Images


"The summit has been a great forum to discuss with our valued Partners the next phase of Olympic Agenda 2020," Timo Lumme, managing director of IOC television and marketing services, said.

"A handful of the approved recommendations relate directly to our work with the TOP Partners, but it was clear from today's discussion that their long-term support goes way beyond this and will be essential in realising the overall vision."

Meanwhile, the afternoon was devoted to the Olympic Channel project, which Yiannis Exarchos, chief executive of Olympic Broadcasting Services, called one of the "headline recommendations" coming out of Olympic Agenda 2020.

"We were able to continue our discussions with the TOP Partners, but with the knowledge that the Channel project has now been approved," he said.

"We are now out of the starting blocks with the plans for the Channel, and today was an opportunity to share our excitement and enthusiasm for the concept and belief that it will offer opportunities to engage with people, especially young people, all around the world, every day of the year."

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