Multisport Association of Russia

In a recent interview published in SPORT INSIDER, the official magazine of the General Association of International Sports Federations, Prof. Jan Fransoo, ARISF and IKF President, spoke up on the significance of federations being recognized by the International Olympic Committee:

'The IOC has a clear set of criteria to recognize an international federation. Recognition means a regognition of the quality of the IF, in terms of its sport, its worldwide spread, its governance, and its respect for the values of the Olympic Movement.

Currently, the main benefit for recognized sports is that the Olympic Charter allows National Olympic Committees to include national associations of the recognized sports as its members. For korfball, for instance, quite a few of our member associations receive support from their NOC.'

Asked where The World Games fit into the picture for ARISF, and how ARISF differs from the IWGA, Prof. Fransoo replied:

'The IWGA owns The World Games. It is a completely separate association from ARISF, although many of our members' sports appear on the World Games program. As a consequence, especially on matters of general interest, we can work together. However, we have to realize that the main interest of the IWGA is to organize an event, while our main drive is to influence changes in the Olympic Program and improve the position of the recognized sports. The previous ARISF President, Ron Froehlich, is also President of the IWGA and I work closely with him. I would like to ensure that ARISF and IWGA maintain a close relationship in the future, recognizing each other's place in the Olympic Movement.'

Editor's note: of the 32 IWGA-affiliated IFs, 21 are recognized, 5 are Olympic, and 6 are seeking the recognition of the IOC at this time.