144th IOC Session Kicks Off in Greece with Key Figures from the Olympic Movement in Attendance
Costa Navarino, Greece – March 18, 2025
The 144th International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session officially began today, with the opening ceremony held at the International Olympic Academy in Olympia, Greece. The session, which will run from March 19 to 21, brings together some of the most influential figures in the world of sports to discuss critical issues affecting the Olympic Movement.
Among the notable attendees was Mr. Ziyoviddin Khodjiniyazov, Vice President of the International Kurash Association (IKA) for International Collaboration and Games. Mr. Khodjiniyazov was invited by IOC President Thomas Bach to attend the opening ceremony , which set the tone for what is expected to be a significant gathering of the Olympic Family.
Despite challenging weather conditions, including heavy rain, the event was a success, drawing together prominent leaders from the global sports community. Greek President, H.E. Konstantinos Tasoulas, welcomed the attendees with a heartfelt message, emphasizing Greece’s pride in hosting the prestigious event.
During his visit to Greece, Mr. Khodjiniyazov took the opportunity to meet with several key figures from various Olympic federations. Among those he met were Mr. Nenad Lalović, President of United World Wrestling; Prince Fahad Bin Jalawi, Vice President of the Saudi Olympic & Paralympic Committee; and Mr. Ikram Tayyab, President of the International Hockey Federation. These meetings were instrumental in advancing the cause of Kurash, a Central Asian martial art that is being promoted as a potential future Olympic sport.
The IOC Session and Executive Board (EB) meetings are being held at the House of Events building in the Romanos Resort, located in the Peloponnese region of Greece. This stunning venue, nestled in the scenic coastal area of Costa Navarino, serves as the backdrop for high-level discussions on the future of the Olympic Games. Meanwhile, the opening ceremony itself took place in Olympia, located approximately 100 kilometers away—a fitting location, steeped in Olympic history.
The 144th IOC Session marks a critical moment in the lead-up to future Olympic Games, with important decisions on the horizon that will shape the direction of the Olympic Movement for years to come and a pivotal part of the elections for the newly elected IOC president.
