Copenhagen/Hamburg - A coaches commission is planned within the International Olympic Committee but there will possibly be none for youth or human rights, according to recommendations on Monday at the end of the Olympic Congress. A total 66 proposals and statements are to ensure a bright Olympic future in a changed society as IOC president Jacques Rogge named them "a prescription ... to strengthen and refresh the Olympic Movement."
The three-day congress bringing together all Olympic stakeholders made a call to strengthen athletes rights, maintain the autonomy of sports and the Olympic Movement, to keep the Olympics as the premier sports event but make it easier for future bidders, to encourage youngsters to sports and to embrace the digital revolution.
The proposals must now be confirmed by the relevant institutions and then pass before either the IOC executive board or IOC Session. Rogge expects the changes to be implemented within two years.
Keynote speakers in Copenhagen's Bella Center included United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Jose Manuel Ramos Horta and communications expert Sir Martin Sorrell.
The coaches commission is to be implemented to deal with the entourage of athletes, to protect athletes rights and to deal more effectively with negative influences from coaches or others in areas including doping.
The ongoing fight against doping was named "an absolute priority" by the IOC boss and Rogge also wants the recommendations regarding youth passed before the inaugural Youth Olympics next year.
"There is a general agreement to engage youth more in sport," he said, hoping that the 2010 Singapore event will serve "as a blueprint" because education will have a big emphasis there as well.
But Rogge left it open whether a special IOC youth commission was necessary to target a key audience for the Olympic future.
Rogge said the same about human rights, the day after Human Rights Watch had called for such a special commission in the wake of violations on the issue in connection with the Beijing Olympics and alleged problems with Sochi 2014 as well.
"We have to see how we can best react," said Rogge, saying it remained open how to implement it in the Olympic Charter and that talks were needed with various organizations including the United Nations.
In the aftermath of Rio de Janeiro's election as 2016 host the congress proposed to give the emerging nations a bigger chance in the future as well.
The impact of the digital revolution, meanwhile, will see a task force deal with social networks on the internet and popular mobile phone applications- with again the young generation at the centre of the attention.
Martin Sorrell, the CEO of communications services giant WPP, told the congress on Monday that the IOC must act to keep youth interested in the Games.
"Allow young people ready access to the content that you create for them. The young take their media habits with them, so if you are not part of their habit now - you most definitely will not be in their future.
"You need to be present in these environments and have a credible voice - not restricting access through copyright. Let the children play," Sorrell told the Olympians.
Rogge called for the next congress to take place in 2024, while Olympic meetings in Copenhagen conclude with the 121st IOC Session Wednesday-Friday.
Rogge stands for re-election on a final four-year term, golf and rugby sevens seek entrance to the Olympic programme in 2016, new IOC members are to be elected and the Olympians will also hear progress reports from the next Games' hosts.
