An important briefing for potential AIMS members recently took place following the dissolution of GAISF and the establishment of the new SportAccord, composed of four stakeholders: the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF), the Association of International Olympic Winter Sports Federations (AIOWF), the Association of Recognised International Sports Federations (ARISF), and the Alliance of Independent Recognised Members of Sport (AIMS).
The briefing was attended by representatives from SportAccord and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). AIMS President Stephan FOX delivered a comprehensive presentation to over 30 interested federations, detailing the approval process by SportAccord, the newly established membership commission, and the pathway to AIMS membership as an entry point into the Olympic Movement.
President FOX outlined the essential criteria for membership and announced that the application process for SportAccord and AIMS membership would commence shortly. He emphasized the critical collaboration between the IOC, SportAccord, and AIMS, describing it as an “elevator process” where federations can progress from AIMS membership to IOC recognition, then to ARISF membership, and ultimately to inclusion in the Olympic Summer or Winter Programme.
Highlighting recent successes, President FOX noted that what was once a distant dream is now a reality, thanks to the close cooperation with the IOC and ARISF. Six AIMS members received IOC recognition at the Tokyo Olympics, and three former AIMS members have been included in the 2026 Winter and 2028 Summer Olympic Programmes.