NOCs arrive in Crete ahead of historic XXV ANOC General Assembly

Delegates from the world’s National Olympic Committees (NOCs) today began to arrive in Crete, Greece ahead of the ANOC General Assembly, which will see approximately 155 of the 205 NOCs attend in person with the remaining joining online.

NOCs arrived at the Creta Maris Beach Resort, the venue for both the XXV ANOC General Assembly and the ANOC Awards 2021. The ANOC Executive Council will meet tomorrow (23 October), before the two-day General Assembly begins on 24 October. The evening of the 24 October will see the ANOC Awards recognise the outstanding performances from the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.

This year’s ANOC General Assembly is the first time in two years that the world’s NOCs have gathered to discuss common challenges in the Olympic Movement and opportunities in the future. Key items on the agenda will include an update on the bid process for the ANOC World Beach Games, a presentation of the ANOC strategic plan, as well as reports from the ANOC Commissions and Organising Committees of the Olympic Games.

Ahead of the start of the meetings, ANOC Acting President Robin Mitchell said:

“It is wonderful to see so many representatives from the NOC family, as well as the wider Olympic Movement, in-person here in Crete. The excellent attendance is a sign of how much NOC’s appreciate seeing each other face to face. After two years without a General Assembly, these next few days are really important. They will give us all the chance to share our experiences of the past two years and discuss what’s in store in years ahead, as we adapt to a post-COVID-19 world. I would like to express my thanks to the Government of Greece and the Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOC) for the warm hospitality and valuable support in preparing for this week.”

HOC President Spyros Capralos, who is also President of the European Olympic Committees and an ANOC Vice-President, said, “We are delighted to welcome NOCs from all around to the beautiful island of Crete. This is the second time we have had the honour of hosting the ANOC General Assembly, but the first time the ANOC Awards will be held here in Greece. We are looking forward to discussing key topics on the future of sport with our friends from across the Olympic Movement, before celebrating the athletes from the unforgettable Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.”