The Alliance of Independent Recognized Members of Sport (AIMS) was established in 2009 to represent sports federations that were not yet recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). AIMS acts as a crucial organization within the global sports ecosystem, helping sports federations gain recognition and move towards integration into the Olympic movement.
AIMS was originally founded by non-IOC recognized members of the GAISF (Global Association of International Sports Federations), which was later known as SportAccord. AIMS serves as an umbrella organization that provides a pathway for its member federations to work toward IOC recognition. In 2016, AIMS itself achieved full recognition from the IOC, marking a significant milestone in its role as the fourth key umbrella organization alongside the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF), the Association of Winter Olympic Federations (AIOWF), and the Association of IOC Recognised International Sports Federations (ARISF).
AIMS plays a critical role in the Olympic movement by providing a platform for its member federations to work toward IOC recognition. The process of recognition is carried out by a membership commission is chaired by AIMS and includes representatives from ASOIF, AIOWF, ARISF and the IOC . This process helps ensure that sports federations meet the required standards to be recognized by the IOC and, in some cases, become part of the Olympic Games themselves.
AIMS’s role as a Stakeholder in SportAccord and its active participation in events like the yearly SportAccord Convention and IF Forum further solidify its importance. Through these platforms, AIMS members are given the opportunity to collaborate, engage, and integrate into the larger sports community, ultimately increasing their global visibility.
IOC-recognized federations collaborate with AIMS for global sports unity.
International sports federations are full members of AIMS.
Associate members receive AIMS support in global sports
observer organizations engage with AIMS to expand its global impact.
AIMS’s efforts have already led to remarkable successes, with nine member federations achieving IOC recognition in recent years. These federations include:
Of these, three federations have been integrated into the Olympic program for either the Summer or Winter Games, highlighting AIMS’s influential role in advancing non-Olympic sports into the Olympic fold.
The mission of AIMS is to strengthen and support sports federations that aspire to become part of the Olympic pyramid. This includes providing guidance and resources to member federations that aim to meet the criteria for IOC recognition. AIMS has formalized its close working relationship with the IOC by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), further emphasizing its commitment to fostering the growth of sports globally.
AIMS is also dedicated to ensuring that its vision and goals are clearly communicated with all current and prospective members. By offering a structured, supportive pathway toward IOC recognition, AIMS plays a pivotal role in promoting diverse sports and ensuring that athletes and sports federations worldwide have the opportunity to be part of the Olympic Movement.
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