Global Association of International Sports Federations

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]

Global Association of International Sports Federations
AbbreviationGAISF
Formation1967 (1967)
TypeSports organization
HeadquartersLausanne, Switzerland
Membership
97 full members and
20 associate members.
Official language
English, French
President
Ivo Ferriani
WebsiteGAISF.sport

In November 2022 Members of the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) voted for the dissolution 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 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 have 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 is composed of a president, two vice-presidents, a treasurer and five members.

DesignationNameCountrySport Federation
PresidentIvo Ferriani ItalyInternational Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation
Vice-President Stephan Fox Germany/ AustraliaInternational Federation of Muaythai Amateur
TreasurerRiccardo Fraccari ItalyWorld Baseball Softball Confederation
Council MembersMarisol Casado SpainInternational Triathlon Union
Kate Caithness Scotland/ United KingdomWorld Curling Federation
Raffaele Chiulli ItalyInternational Powerboating Federation
Nenad Lalović SerbiaUnited World Wrestling
Ingmar De Vos BelgiumInternational Equestrian Federation

Function

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

Membership

Member international federations can 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 Internationale (UCI), a permanent bureau of the IFs was established to facilitate dialogue with the Olympic authorities.

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 Internationale”, 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

# Sport Logo Organisation Acronym Founded Membership
ASOIF[16][17][18] AIOWF ARISF[19] AIMS
1Aikido International Aikido Federation IAF1976
2Air sports Fédération Aéronautique Internationale FAI1905
3American football International Federation of American Football IFAF1998
4Aquatics World Aquatics FINA1908
5Archery[20] World Archery Federation WA1931
6Armwrestling World Armwrestling Federation WAF1977
7Athletics[20] World Athletics IAAF1912
8Automobile racing Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile FIA1904
9Badminton Badminton World Federation BWF1934
10Bandy Federation of International Bandy FIB1955
11Baseball and softball World Baseball Softball Confederation WBSC2013Associate member
12Basketball Federation Internationale de Basketball FIBA1932
13Basque pelota Federación Internacional de Pelota Vasca FIPV1929
14Biathlon International Biathlon Union IBU1993
15Billiard sports World Confederation of Billiards Sports WCBS1992
16Bobsleigh International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation IBSF1923
17Bodybuilding International Federation of Bodybuilding & Fitness IFBB1946
18Boules Confédération Mondiale des Sports de Boules CMSB1985
19Bowling International Bowling Federation IBF1952
20Boxing International Boxing Association IBA1946
21Bridge World Bridge Federation WBF1958
22Canoeing International Canoe Federation ICF1946
23Casting International Casting Sport Federation ICSF1955
24Cheer International Cheer Union ICU2004
25Chess Pictogram of person playing Chess International Chess Federation FIDE1924
26Climbing & Mountaineering Union Internationale des Associations d'Alpinisme UIAA1932
27Cricket International Cricket Council ICC1909
28Curling World Curling Federation WCF1966
29Cycle Sport Union Cycliste Internationale UCI1900
30DanceSport World DanceSport Federation WDSF1957Associate Member
31Darts World Darts Federation WDF1974
32Dragon Boat International Dragon Boat Federation IDBF1991
33Draughts Fédération Mondiale du Jeu de Dames FMJD1947
34Equestrian sports Fédération Équestre Internationale FEI1921
35Fencing Fédération Internationale d'Escrime FIE1913
36Fistball International Fistball Association IFA1960
37Floorball International Floorball Federation IFF1986
38Flying disc World Flying Disc Federation WFDF1985
39Football Fédération Internationale de Football Association FIFA1904
40Go International Go Federation IGF1982
41Golf International Golf Federation IGF1958
42Gymnastics Federation Internationale de Gymnastique FIG1881
43Handball International Handball Federation IHF1946
44Field hockey International Hockey Federation FIH1924
45Ice hockey International Ice Hockey Federation IIHF1908
46Ice stock sport International Federation Icestocksport IFI1975
47Judo International Judo Federation IJF1951
48Ju-Jitsu Ju-Jitsu International Federation JJIF1977
49Karate World Karate Federation WKF1970
50Kendo International Kendo Federation FIK1970
51Kickboxing World Association of Kickboxing Organisations WAKO1976
52Korfball International Korfball Federation IKF1963
53Lacrosse World Lacrosse WL2008
54Lifesaving International Life Saving Federation ILS1993
55Luge Fédération Internationale de Luge de Course FIL1957
56Minigolf World Minigolf Sport Federation WMF1963
57Modern pentathlon Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne UIPM1912
58Motorcycle racing Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme FIM1904
59Muaythai International Federation of Muaythai Amateur IFMA1993
60Netball International Federation of Netball Associations IFNA1960
61Orienteering International Orienteering Federation IOF1961
62Polo Federation of International Polo FIP1983
63Powerboating Union Internationale Motonautique UIM1927
64Powerlifting International Powerlifting Federation IPF1971
65Practical shooting International Practical Shooting Confederation IPSC1976
66Racquetball International Racquetball Federation IRF1950
67Roller sports World Skate FIRS1924
68Rowing World Rowing FISA1892
69Rugby union World Rugby WR1886
70Sailing World Sailing WS1907
71Sambo Fédération Internationale de Sambo FIAS1992
72Savate Federation Internationale de Savate FISav1992
73Sepaktakraw International Sepaktakraw Federation ISTAF1988
74Shooting sport[20] International Shooting Sport Federation ISSF1907
75Skating International Skating Union ISU1892
76Skiing Fédération Internationale de Ski FIS1924
77Ski mountaineering International Ski Mountaineering Federation ISMF2008Associate Member
78Sleddog International Federation of Sleddog Sports IFSS1992
79Soft tennis International Soft Tennis Federation ISTF1999
80Sport climbing International Federation of Sport Climbing IFSC2007
81Sports fishing Confédération Internationale de la Pêche Sportive CIPS1952
82Squash World Squash Federation WSF1967
83Sumo International Sumo Federation IFS1992
84Surfing International Surfing Association ISASurf1964
85Table tennis International Table Tennis Federation ITTF1926
86Taekwondo World Taekwondo WT1973
87Tennis International Tennis Federation ITF1913
88Teqball
International Federation of Teqball FITEQ2017
89Triathlon International Triathlon Union ITU1989
90Tug of war Tug of War International Federation TWIF1960
91Underwater sports Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques CMAS1959
92University Sports
Fédération Internationale du Sport Universitaire FISU1949
93Volleyball Fédération Internationale de Volleyball FIVB1947
94Waterskiing International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation IWWF1955
95Weightlifting International Weightlifting Federation IWF1905
96Wrestling United World Wrestling UWW1912
97Wushu International Wushu Federation IWUF1990
28+474220

Associate members

Other

Observers

The GAISF Observer Status can be requested by the Applicants to GAISF Membership 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–

Current 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) 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: SportAccord summit in Yekaterinburg cancelled following Russian invasion of Ukraine.[54]

See also

Notes and references

  1. "Members" SportAccord – International Federations' Union (sportaccord.com). 19 July 2013. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  2. btcom. "GAISF » Mission and Vision". Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  3. btcom. "GAISF » Members approve dissolution of GAISF at Extraordinary General Assembly". Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  4. btcom. "GAISF » Dissolution of GAISF approved at Extraordinary General Assembly, record attendance of members, next steps clarified". Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  5. btcom. "GAISF » Ivo Ferriani: The global sports community has secured its future for 2023 and beyond". Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  6. btcom. "GAISF » Extraordinary General Assembly approves the final liquidation of 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. 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.
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