Global Association of International Sports Federations

Global Association of International Sports Federations
AbbreviationGAISF
Formation1967
DissolvedSeptember 14, 2023
TypeSports organization
HeadquartersLausanne, Switzerland
Membership
97 full members and
20 associate members.
Official language
English, French
President
Ivo Ferriani
Websitegaisf.sport

Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) was the umbrella organisation for all (Olympic and non-Olympic) international sports federations as well as organisers of multi-sports games and sport-related international associations.[1][2] It changed its name to SportAccord from March 2009 to April 2017 when it reverted to its former name. GAISF was an international sport organisation with 95 full members (international sports federations governing specific sports worldwide) and 20 associate members (organisations which conduct activities closely related to the international sports federations).[2]

In November 2022, the members of the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) voted to dissolve of the organisation, with many of its activities taken by a restructured SportAccord.[3][4]

The revised governance structure of Sport Accord will see the Association of IOC Recognised International Sports Federations (ARISF) and the Alliance of Independent Recognised Members of Sport (AIMS) join the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) and the Association of International Olympic Winter Sports Federations (AIOWF) as members of SportAccord.[5]

Members of the GAISF approved the final steps in the liquidation of the organisation at an extraordinary general assembly held on 14 September 2023.[6]

GAISF Council

The council was composed of a president, two vice-presidents, a treasurer and five members.

The council's final composition was:

Designation Name Country Sport Federation
President Ivo Ferriani  Italy International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation
Vice-President Stephan Fox  Germany/ Australia International Federation of Muaythai Amateur
Treasurer Riccardo Fraccari  Italy World Baseball Softball Confederation
Council Members Marisol Casado  Spain International Triathlon Union
Kate Caithness  Scotland/ United Kingdom World Curling Federation
Raffaele Chiulli  Italy International Powerboating Federation
Nenad Lalović  Serbia United World Wrestling
Ingmar De Vos  Belgium International Equestrian Federation

Function

GAISF was the umbrella organisation for both Olympic and non-Olympic international sports federations, as well as organisers of international sporting events. In this role it provided expertise in, for example, anti-doping, integrity and social responsibility. By establishing multi-sports games that group together similar sports, GAISF aimed to promote the members and the members' visibility.[7]

Membership

Member international federations could be either full or associate members of GAISF.[8]

History

GAISF is deeply rooted in the sports movement. As early as 1921, international sports federations (IFs) expressed the need for a representative of their common objectives and interests. Under the direction of Paul Rousseau, Secretary General of the Union Cycliste International (UCI), a permanent bureau of the IFs was established to facilitate dialogue with the Olympic authorities.[citation needed]

In 1967, 26 international sports federations met in Lausanne, agreed on the need to increase permanent liaisons, and adopted the name, “General Assembly of International Sports Federations”. In order to establish a more formalised organisation, the “General Association of International Sports Federations" (GAISF) was formed in 1976, and the headquarters were moved to Monaco two years later.

The new millennium brought important changes to the organisation. Reacting to the increasing pressure on IFs to professionalise and develop, GAISF, in collaboration with the Associations of Summer and Winter Olympic International Federations (ASOIF and AIOWF), launched the first SportAccord International Convention in 2003. This new format “by sport for sport” allowed IFs and sports business to get together, share knowledge and network.

In March 2009, GAISF was rebranded SportAccord and, in the same year, its offices moved from Monaco to Lausanne, the Olympic capital.

In April 2017, following the former president Marius Vizer's controversial attack against IOC president Thomas Bach during the opening SportAccord's 2015 convention in Sochi and his subsequent resignation, the organisation rebranded back to GAISF under its new president Patrick Baumann.[9]

In May 2019, Raffaele Chiulli was unanimously elected as GAISF President in Gold Coast, Australia

1920s

As early as 1921, under the direction of Paul Rousseau, Secretary General of the “Union Cycliste International”, a permanent bureau of the international sports federations (IFs) was created. With regular IFs/IOC meetings taking place, dialogue with the Olympic authorities became easier. However, organisations that were not part of the Olympic movement were excluded.

1960s

In the 1960s, the sports movement evolved rapidly. Roger Coulon, President of the “Fédération Internationale de Lutte Amateur”, was the first to express the need for a wider recognition of the role of IFs. For non-Olympic federations, a forum that would enable them to better express their points of view was necessary. The creation of a stable organisation ensuring permanent relations between IFs appeared to be the logical continuation of their meetings, which had taken place frequently but without rules or a fixed organisation. The common preparation of these meetings with the IOC could thus be better supported. It also permitted a constant liaison between the IFs and the general population. In 1966, the time seemed appropriate, and the conversion to the newly constituted Assembly was launched.

1967

On 21–23 April 1967, delegates from the following 26 international sports federations met in Lausanne in the Hotel Continental: Aeronautics, Rowing, Basketball, Bobsleigh, Boules, Canoeing, Cycling, Equestrian, Fencing, Gymnastics, Handball, Hockey, Ice Hockey, Judo, Luge, Wrestling, Motorcycling, Swimming, Modern Pentathlon, Roller Skating, Skiing, Shooting, Volleyball, Weightlifting, University Sport, and Maccabi.

The delegates agreed on the necessity to establish permanent liaisons between the IFs for the defence of their objectives and common goals, the preservation of their autonomy, and constant exchange of information. The name “General Assembly of International Sports Federations” was adopted.

In 1976, this name was replaced by “General Association of International Sports Federations” (GAISF). In 1978, the office moved from Lausanne to Monaco. GAISF represented the extension of the past meetings of the IFs, dealing not only with Olympic matters, but also with all questions of common interest for the IFs.

2000s

In 2003, in collaboration with ASOIF and AIOWF, GAISF launched the first SportAccord Convention to answer a need of the IFs, which were looking for a “one-stop shop” where they could hold their annual meetings, be encouraged to network and share their knowledge.

In March 2009, GAISF was rebranded SportAccord at the meeting of the 7th SportAccord International Convention in Denver. In April 2009, it moved its main office from Monaco to Maison du Sport International in Lausanne, Switzerland.[10]

On 25 May 2012, the last of eight days of the annual General Assembly of SportAccord in Quebec City, the Federation of International Lacrosse and the International Mind Sports Association were accepted, bringing the number of SportAccord members to 107.[11]

On 31 May 2013, the last of eight days of the annual General Assembly of SportAccord in Saint Petersburg, the International Cheer Union and the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile were voted into SportAccord.[12]

On 20 April 2015, at SportAccord's 2015 convention in Sochi, SportAccord president Marius Vizer made a speech that was sharply critical of the IOC and its president, Thomas Bach. Following the speech, the IAAF (now known as World Athletics), the ISSF, and World Archery withdrew from SportAccord in protest,[13] and there were a number of further withdrawals in May 2015, including the International Rowing Federation.[14]

At the 2017 convention in Aarhus, Federation Internationale du Sport Universitaire (FISU) and Federation of International Bandy (FIB) became full members[15] and SportAccord was renamed GAISF.

By the end of 2018, The World ArmWrestling Federation (WAF) was the new addition to the GAISF Full Member List along with 4 Associate Members – World Olympics Association, International Sports Press Association, World Union of Olympic Cities and World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry

Member federations at time of dissolution

# Sport Logo Organisation Acronym Founded Membership
ASOIF[16][17][18] AIOWF ARISF[19] AIMS
1 Aikido International Aikido Federation IAF 1976
2 Air sports Fédération Aéronautique Internationale FAI 1905
3 American football International Federation of American Football IFAF 1998
4 Aquatics World Aquatics FINA 1908
5 Archery[20] World Archery Federation WA 1931
6 Armwrestling World Armwrestling Federation WAF 1977
7 Athletics[20] World Athletics IAAF 1912
8 Automobile racing Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile FIA 1904
9 Badminton Badminton World Federation BWF 1934
10 Bandy Federation of International Bandy FIB 1955
11 Baseball and softball World Baseball Softball Confederation WBSC 2013 Associate member
12 Basketball Federation Internationale de Basketball FIBA 1932
13 Basque pelota Federación Internacional de Pelota Vasca FIPV 1929
14 Biathlon International Biathlon Union IBU 1993
15 Billiard sports World Confederation of Billiards Sports WCBS 1992
16 Bobsleigh International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation IBSF 1923
17 Bodybuilding International Federation of Bodybuilding & Fitness IFBB 1946
18 Boules Confédération Mondiale des Sports de Boules CMSB 1985
19 Bowling International Bowling Federation IBF 1952
20 Boxing International Boxing Association IBA 1946
21 Bridge World Bridge Federation WBF 1958
22 Canoeing International Canoe Federation ICF 1946
23 Casting International Casting Sport Federation ICSF 1955
24 Cheer International Cheer Union ICU 2004
25 Chess Pictogram of person playing Chess International Chess Federation FIDE 1924
26 Climbing & Mountaineering Union Internationale des Associations d'Alpinisme UIAA 1932
27 Cricket International Cricket Council ICC 1909
28 Curling World Curling Federation WCF 1966
29 Cycle Sport Union Cycliste Internationale UCI 1900
30 DanceSport World DanceSport Federation WDSF 1957 Associate Member
31 Darts World Darts Federation WDF 1974
32 Dragon Boat International Dragon Boat Federation IDBF 1991
33 Draughts Fédération Mondiale du Jeu de Dames FMJD 1947
34 Equestrian sports Fédération Équestre Internationale FEI 1921
35 Fencing Fédération Internationale d'Escrime FIE 1913
36 Fistball International Fistball Association IFA 1960
37 Floorball International Floorball Federation IFF 1986
38 Flying disc World Flying Disc Federation WFDF 1985
39 Football Fédération Internationale de Football Association FIFA 1904
40 Go International Go Federation IGF 1982
41 Golf International Golf Federation IGF 1958
42 Gymnastics Federation Internationale de Gymnastique FIG 1881
43 Handball International Handball Federation IHF 1946
44 Field hockey International Hockey Federation FIH 1924
45 Ice hockey International Ice Hockey Federation IIHF 1908
46 Ice stock sport International Federation Icestocksport IFI 1975
47 Judo International Judo Federation IJF 1951
48 Ju-Jitsu Ju-Jitsu International Federation JJIF 1977
49 Karate World Karate Federation WKF 1970
50 Kendo International Kendo Federation FIK 1970
51 Kickboxing World Association of Kickboxing Organisations WAKO 1976
52 Korfball International Korfball Federation IKF 1963
53 Lacrosse World Lacrosse WL 2008
54 Lifesaving International Life Saving Federation ILS 1993
55 Luge Fédération Internationale de Luge de Course FIL 1957
56 Minigolf World Minigolf Sport Federation WMF 1963
57 Modern pentathlon Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne UIPM 1912
58 Motorcycle racing Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme FIM 1904
59 Muaythai International Federation of Muaythai Amateur IFMA 1993
60 Netball International Federation of Netball Associations IFNA 1960
61 Orienteering International Orienteering Federation IOF 1961
62 Polo Federation of International Polo FIP 1983
63 Powerboating Union Internationale Motonautique UIM 1927
64 Powerlifting International Powerlifting Federation IPF 1971
65 Practical shooting International Practical Shooting Confederation IPSC 1976
66 Racquetball International Racquetball Federation IRF 1950
67 Roller sports World Skate FIRS 1924
68 Rowing World Rowing FISA 1892
69 Rugby union World Rugby WR 1886
70 Sailing World Sailing WS 1907
71 Sambo Fédération Internationale de Sambo FIAS 1992
72 Savate Federation Internationale de Savate FISav 1992
73 Sepaktakraw International Sepaktakraw Federation ISTAF 1988
74 Shooting sport[20] International Shooting Sport Federation ISSF 1907
75 Skating International Skating Union ISU 1892
76 Skiing Fédération Internationale de Ski FIS 1924
77 Ski mountaineering International Ski Mountaineering Federation ISMF 2008 Associate Member
78 Sleddog International Federation of Sleddog Sports IFSS 1992
79 Soft tennis International Soft Tennis Federation ISTF 1999
80 Sport climbing International Federation of Sport Climbing IFSC 2007
81 Sports fishing Confédération Internationale de la Pêche Sportive CIPS 1952
82 Squash World Squash Federation WSF 1967
83 Sumo International Sumo Federation IFS 1992
84 Surfing International Surfing Association ISASurf 1964
85 Table tennis International Table Tennis Federation ITTF 1926
86 Taekwondo World Taekwondo WT 1973
87 Tennis International Tennis Federation ITF 1913
88 Teqball
International Federation of Teqball FITEQ 2017
89 Triathlon International Triathlon Union ITU 1989
90 Tug of war Tug of War International Federation TWIF 1960
91 Underwater sports Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques CMAS 1959
92 University Sports
Fédération Internationale du Sport Universitaire FISU 1949
93 Volleyball Fédération Internationale de Volleyball FIVB 1947
94 Waterskiing International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation IWWF 1955
95 Weightlifting International Weightlifting Federation IWF 1905
96 Wrestling United World Wrestling UWW 1912
97 Wushu International Wushu Federation IWUF 1990
31+2 7+1 39 20

Associate members at time of dissolution

Other members were:

Observers at time of dissolution

The GAISF Observer Status could be requested by the Applicants to GAISF Membership that were interested to obtain support and guidance in their path to fulfil the GAISF Membership Criteria.

Sport Organisation Acronym
Dodgeball World Dodgeball Association WDA
Footgolf Federation for International FootGolf FIFG
Jump rope International Jump Rope Union IJRU
Kettlebell lifting International Union of Kettlebell Lifting IUKL
Obstacle racing World Obstacle FISO
Padel International Padel Federation IPF
Poker International Federation of Match Poker IFP
Pole dance International Pole Sports Federation IPSF
Rafting International Rafting Federation IRF
Rugby league Rugby League International Federation IRL
Table football/soccer International Table Soccer Federation ITSF

List of GAISF presidents

President Member of Duration
William Berge Phillips FINA 1967–1969
Thomas Keller FISA 1969–1986
Un Yong Kim WTF 1986–2004
Hein Verbruggen UCI 2004–2013
Marius Vizer IJF 2013–2015
Gian-Franco Kasper FIS 2015–2016
Patrick Baumann FIBA 2016–2018
Raffaele Chiulli UIM 2018–2021
Ivo Ferriani IBSF 2021–2023

Final organizational structure

President Vice President Interim Manager
Ivo Ferriani Stephan Fox Nis Hatt

Summits

Originally launched in 2003, SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit is a gathering of more than 1,500 leading representatives from the sports industry. SportAccord is focused on driving positive change internationally and dedicated to engaging and connecting; international federations, rights holders, organising committees, cities, press and media, businesses and other organisations involved in the development of sport.

SportAccord is a not-for-profit organisation which annually brings together representatives from more than 100 International Sports Federations affiliated with the following umbrella organisations that host their Annual General Assemblies at SportAccord. Our event is an international sport convention hosted over a week, combining an exhibition area, a themed conference programme and a multitude of networking events.

SportAccord’s stakeholders include: ASOIF (Association of Summer Olympic International Federations), AIOWF (Association of International Olympic Winter Sports Federations), ARISF (Association of IOC Recognised International Sports Federations), AIMS (Alliance of Independent Recognised Members of Sport), GAISF (Global Association of International Sports Federations, dissolved 2023) and Associate Members. In addition, SportAccord receives the full support of the IOC (International Olympic Committee).[21]

SAIC Dates Host City
1st 12–16 May 2003 Spain Madrid, Spain
2nd 15–20 May 2004 Switzerland Lausanne, Switzerland (#1)[22]
3rd 16–20 April 2005 Germany Berlin, Germany
4th 3–7 April 2006 South Korea Seoul, South Korea[23]
5th 22–27 April 2007 China Beijing, China[24]
6th 2–6 June 2008 Greece Athens, Greece[25][26][27]
7th 23–27 March 2009[28][29] United States Denver, United States[30][31]
8th 20–25 April 2010[32] United Arab Emirates Dubai, United Arab Emirates[33][34]
9th 3–8 April 2011[35] United Kingdom London, United Kingdom[36][37]
10th 20–25 May 2012[38] Canada Quebec City, Canada[39][40]
11th 26–31 May 2013[41] Russia Saint Petersburg, Russia[42]
12th 6–11 April 2014[43] Turkey Belek, Turkey[44]
13th 19–24 April 2015[45] Russia Sochi, Russia[46]
14th 17–22 April 2016 Switzerland Lausanne, Switzerland (#2)[47]
15th 2–7 April 2017 Denmark Aarhus, Denmark[48]
16th 15–20 April 2018 Thailand Bangkok, Thailand[49]
17th 5–10 May 2019 Australia Gold Coast, Australia[50]
18th 7–11 April 2024 United Kingdom Birmingham, United Kingdom[51]


  • Note 1: The 2020 SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit in Beijing was cancelled, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[52]
  • Note 2: The 18th SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit was postponed from November 2021 to May 2022.[53]
  • Note 3: The SportAccord summit in Yekaterinburg was cancelled following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[54]
  • Note 4: GAISF was dissolved on 14 September 2023, prior to the SportAccord summit in Birmingham.

See also

Notes and references

  1. ^ "Members". SportAccord – International Federations' Union. 19 July 2013. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  2. ^ a b "Mission and Vision". GAISF. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  3. ^ "Members approve dissolution of GAISF at Extraordinary General Assembly". GAISF. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  4. ^ "Dissolution of GAISF approved at Extraordinary General Assembly, record attendance of members, next steps clarified". GAISF. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  5. ^ "Ivo Ferriani: The global sports community has secured its future for 2023 and beyond". GAISF. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  6. ^ "Extraordinary General Assembly approves the final liquidation of GAISF". GAISF. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  7. ^ "Mission and Vision".
  8. ^ "Associate Membership". GAISF. 19 July 2013. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  9. ^ "Welcome to the new GAISF website". GAISF. Retrieved 18 September 2017.
  10. ^ "History of SportAccord". SportAccord. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
  11. ^ "Federation of International Lacrosse and International Mind Sports Association are new SportAccord Members". SportAccord. 25 May 2012.
  12. ^ "International Cheer Union and Federation Internationale de l'Automobile are new SportAccord Members". SportAccord. 31 May 2013. Archived from the original on 15 June 2013. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  13. ^ Livingstone, Robert (20 April 2015). "SportAccord Counts Its Losses After Chief's Attack on Olympics Backfires". GamesBids.com. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
  14. ^ "World Rowing resigns from SportAccord". insidethegames. 20 May 2015.
  15. ^ SportAccord changes name to Global Association of International Sports Federations
  16. ^ "Members". ASOIF. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  17. ^ "ASOIF Statutes" (PDF). 9 June 2022. p. 12.
  18. ^ "Organisational Structure". ASOIF. 27 April 2016. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  19. ^ "Members - ARISF Association of IOC Recognised International Sport Federation". www.arisf.sport. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  20. ^ a b c The IAAF, ISSF and World Archery Federation withdrew from SportAccord on 20 April 2015.
  21. ^ "What is SportAccord? - SportAccord".
  22. ^ "Lausanne To Host 2004 SportAccord Convention" (PDF). SportAccord. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 November 2006. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
  23. ^ "The World Meets In Seoul" (PDF). Around the Rings. April 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 October 2010. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
  24. ^ "Countdown to Beijing" (PDF). Around the Rings. April 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 October 2010. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
  25. ^ "Athens hosted the most successful edition of SportAccord". Athens Convention Bureau (English). Archived from the original on 2 April 2012. Retrieved 16 September 2011.
  26. ^ "SportAccord 2008 tightens focus on cities". Sport Business. Archived from the original on 25 March 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
  27. ^ "Athens Hosts Sixth Edition of SportAccord" (PDF). Around the Rings. June 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 October 2010. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
  28. ^ "Sportaccord 2009 Kicks Off in Denver". Around the Rings. 23 March 2009. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
  29. ^ "Denver Global Program (in .pdf)" (PDF). SportAccord. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 April 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
  30. ^ "Denver is first North American city to host SportAccord conference". Metro Denver. Archived from the original on 24 August 2011. Retrieved 16 September 2011.
  31. ^ "Around the Rings Special Edition – SportAccord Denver" (PDF). Around the Rings. March 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 October 2010. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
  32. ^ "Dubai Global Program (in .pdf)" (PDF). SportAccord. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 April 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
  33. ^ "Dubai to host SportAccord in 2010". Sport Business. Archived from the original on 25 March 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
  34. ^ "Around the Rings Special Edition – Dubai" (PDF). Around the Rings. April 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 September 2010. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
  35. ^ "Registration opens for 2011 SportAccord Convention in London". london.gov.uk. 4 October 2010. Archived from the original on 1 May 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
  36. ^ "London To Host SportAccord Convention". London Press Service. Archived from the original on 11 June 2011. Retrieved 16 September 2011.
  37. ^ "Around the Rings SportAccord Special Edition" (PDF). Around the Rings. April 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 October 2011. Retrieved 25 March 2012.
  38. ^ "SportAccord Convention Selects Iconic Quebec Hotel". Around the Rings. 22 June 2011. Retrieved 20 September 2011.
  39. ^ "SportAccord Convention 2012 Awarded to Québec City". Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
  40. ^ "The ATR SportAccord 2012 Special Edition". Around the Rings. 21 May 2012. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
  41. ^ "Saint Petersburg to host 2013 SportAccord Convention". Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  42. ^ Around the Rings Special Edition about 2013 SportAccord Convention Archived 28 July 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  43. ^ "SportAccord convention 2013 draws record attendance". Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  44. ^ "Conferences Convention – SportAccord 2014 to Turkey". Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  45. ^ "Dates for 2015 SportAccord International Convention in Sochi announced". 25 August 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  46. ^ "Sochi to host 2015 SportAccord International Convention". 22 July 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  47. ^ "Where Sports Meet". Retrieved 9 April 2016.
  48. ^ "SportAccord Convention 2017 awarded to Aarhus in Denmark". 19 April 2016. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
  49. ^ "Bangkok awarded 2018 SportAccord Convention". 4 April 2017. Retrieved 4 April 2017.
  50. ^ "Gold Coast to host 2019 SportAccord Summit". 6 September 2018. Retrieved 6 September 2018.
  51. ^ "Birmingham to host 2024 SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit as event returns after five-year absence". 29 August 2023. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  52. ^ "SportAccord 2020 Cancellation Statement". Around the Rings. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  53. ^ "SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit in Ekaterinburg Rescheduled for May 2022". GAISF. 5 August 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  54. ^ "SportAccord summit in Yekaterinburg cancelled following Russian invasion of Ukraine". Inside the Games. 25 February 2022. Retrieved 25 February 2022.

External links

  • Home page
  • Official web site of SportAccord
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