ANOC shares Paris 2024 Qualification System Review with IOC – A joint effort with NOCs
The Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) has officially submitted to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) the comprehensive report on the Paris 2024 Qualification System (QS) Review. This in-depth document is the result of a wide-ranging collaborative effort with the National Olympic Committees (NOCs), whose contributions were vital in identifying both the strengths and areas of improvement in the qualification systems for various sports.
As one of the results of the ANOC Sports Director Seminars, the ANOC Secretary General, Mrs Gunilla Lindberg, formally requested and obtained the approval of the IOC to launch this initiative in the autumn of 2024. The project was established to amplify the voices of NOCs regarding their experiences throughout the Olympic qualification journey. While many qualification systems were commended for their fairness and structure, others were identified as requiring revision, particularly in terms of cost-effectiveness and accessibility.
Between November and December 2024, ANOC received a total of 132 responses from 112 NOCs across all five continents. Among the qualification systems that received the highest ratings were Hockey, Equestrian, and Rowing. In contrast, Athletics, Skateboarding, and Surfing were identified as the three systems most in need of review.
A recurring theme across the feedback was the need to minimise qualification costs, particularly by limiting the dependency on long-term ranking systems that require frequent international travel. NOCs expressed concern over two-year ranking pathways that heavily favour athletes and federations with greater financial resources. The review process thus focused on proposing mechanisms that balance sport performance standards with more equitable and sustainable access. These included calls for more direct qualification pathways and greater use of existing Continental Games as qualification opportunities.
The first phase of the review concluded in January 2025, during which ANOC compiled and submitted to the IOC a comprehensive summary of NOC perspectives on the overarching Qualification System Principles. This input played a key role in shaping the final version of the Principles for Los Angeles 2028. Notably, the following NOC feedback was incorporated:
- Direct Qualification Opportunities – When ranking systems are used, International Federations (IFs) are encouraged to also provide direct qualification routes to ensure fair access for athletes across all NOCs.
- NOC Eligibility Authority – NOCs have the right to apply stricter eligibility or selection criteria than those outlined in the IF qualification system.
- Use of Continental Games – IFs are encouraged to incorporate continental events into their qualification systems to promote regional access and reduce costs.
The second phase took place in February and March 2025. During this phase, ANOC facilitated a detailed sport-by-sport review of the feedback. A dedicated working group of 31 members representing NOCs of all sizes and regions met regularly to consolidate input and prepare tailored recommendations for each sport.
This effort resulted in the compilation of the report that was shared this week and a one-page summary per sport outlining top recommendations for International Federations to consider. The summary was preliminarily shared with the IOC ahead of the Programme Commission meeting on 1 April in the hope that they could help shape upcoming decisions.
Following the release of the Los Angeles 2028 event programme and quota allocations, ANOC is pleased to see that several NOC recommendations have already been taken into account. Many of these had been actively discussed during the working group consultations:
- Expansion to 12 teams per gender in 3×3 Basketball
- Increase to 12 teams in Women’s Water Polo
- Reduction in quotas for Modern Pentathlon
- A mixed team event in Golf
- Have three medal events in Sport Climbing (separate Lead and Boulder)
- Inclusion of the 50m Backstroke, Butterfly, and Breaststroke events in Swimming.
These outcomes demonstrate that NOC voices are being heard and that constructive collaboration between ANOC, NOCs, the IOC, and IFs can lead to meaningful improvements. ANOC remains committed to supporting both the IOC and International Federations in further enhancing the Qualification Systems for Los Angeles 2028. By providing clear and well-documented feedback from NOCs, we hope to guide future updates that foster fair play, accessibility, and sustainability.
