Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) is the umbrella body for each of the (Olympic or non-Olympic) international sports federations , as well as organisers of multi-sports games and sport-related international associations. The name changed to SportAccord from March 2009 until April 2017 when it returned to its old name. GAISF is an internationally based sports organisation that has 95 full members (international sports federations governing specific sports around the world) in addition to 20 associate members (organisations that carry out activities closely associated with the international sports federations).
History
GAISF is deeply rooted in the sports movement. Since 1921, world-wide sports organizations (IFs) declared in their need to have a representation of their common objectives and goals. Under the direction under the leadership of Paul Rousseau, Secretary General of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) the permanent office of IFs was set up to facilitate dialogue with the Olympic authorities.tation required
In 1967, 26 international sport federations came together in Lausanne and agreed on the need to increase permanent contacts, and adopted the name “General Assembly of International Sport Federations”. In order to establish an official organisation”the “General Association of International Sports Federations” (GAISF) was formed in 1976. In the following year, the headquarters were relocated to Monaco within two years.
The turn of the millennium brought significant changes to the organisation. Responding to the growing demand on IFs to become more professional and improve, GAISF, in collaboration with the Associations of Summer and Winter Olympic International Federations (ASOIF and AIOWF) in 2003, organized the first SportAccord International Convention in 2003. This new format “by sports for sport” enabled IFs as well as sports business to get together, share knowledge and network.
Also look at: Quidditch | Racquetball | Race Walk
In March 2009, GAISF changed its name to SportAccord and in the same year, the offices were relocated away from Monaco to Lausanne as the Olympic capital. SportAccord adopted the motto “Unite & Support” with the goal of supporting and help its members. The goal of the organization is to provide expert services of the highest quality and provide expertise in areas that are essential to its members.
In April of 2017 after the former Marius Vizer’s controversial remarks against IOC president Thomas Bach during the opening SportsAccord’s 2015 conference in Sochi and his subsequent resignation, the organisation rebranded back to GAISF under its new president Patrick Baumann.
In May of 2019, Raffaele Chiulli was unanimously elected as GAISF President on the Gold Coast, Australia
As early as 1921 under the guidance from Paul Rousseau, Secretary General of the “Union Cycliste Internationale” A permanent bureau of the international sports federations (IFs) was created. Since regular IOC/IFs meetings took place, communication with Olympic authorities became much easier. However, organisations which weren’t part the Olympic movement were not included.
In the 1960s, the sports movement was rapidly growing. Roger Coulon, President of the “Federation Internationale de Lutte amateur” was the first to recognize the need for more recognition of the role of IFs. For non-Olympic Federations, a forum that could allow them to better express their viewpoints was essential. Establishing an organization that was stable and able to sustain relations between IFs was the right direction to follow their meetings, which have taken place frequently but without any rules or established structure. The routine preparation of these meetings with the IOC could be more effectively supported. It also permitted a constant connection between IFs and the population at large. In 1966, the time was appropriate, and so the conversion to the newly-formed Assembly was initiated.
On 21-23 April 1967 delegations of the 26 sports associations met in Lausanne in the Hotel Continental: Aeronautics, Basketball, Rowing, Bobsleigh, Boules, Canoeing, Cycling, Equestrian, Fencing Gymnastics, Handball Hockey, Ice Hockey, Judo, Luge, Wrestling, Motorcycling, Swimming, Modern Pentathlon, Roller Skating, Skiing, Shooting and Volleyball. Weightlifting, University Sport, and Maccabi.
The delegates agreed on the necessity to establish constant liaisons between IFs to protect their goals and objectives as well as the safeguarding of their autonomy, as well as the continuous sharing of information. The title “General Assembly of International Sports Federations” was adopted.
In 1976, this name was replaced with “General Association of International Sports Federations” (GAISF). In 1978, the GAISF office relocated from Lausanne to Monaco. GAISF was a continuation of the past meetings of the IFs, dealing not only with Olympic matters as well as all aspects of common interest for the IFs.
Important sports rules: Quidditch rules | Racquetball rules | Race Walk rules
