Global Association of International Sports Federations

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Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) was the umbrella organisation for all (Olympic and non-Olympic) international sports federations as well as organisers of multi-sports games and sport-related international associations.[1][2] It changed its name to SportAccord from March 2009 to April 2017, when it reverted to its GAISF. It was an international sport organisation with 95 full members (international sports federations governing specific sports worldwide) and 20 associate members (organisations which conduct activities closely related to the international sports federations).[2]

Global Association of International Sports Federations
AbbreviationGAISF
Formation1967
DissolvedSeptember 14, 2023
TypeSports organization
HeadquartersLausanne, Switzerland
Membership
97 full members and
20 associate members.
Official language
English, French
President
Ivo Ferriani
Websitegaisf.sport

In November 2022, the members of the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) voted to dissolve the organisation.[3][4]

The revised governance structure will see the Association of IOC Recognised International Sports Federations (ARISF) and the Alliance of Independent Recognised Members of Sport (AIMS) join the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) and the Association of International Olympic Winter Sports Federations (AIOWF) as the four main stakeholders of SportAccord.[5]

Members of the GAISF approved the final steps in the liquidation of the organisation at an extraordinary general assembly held on 14 September 2023.[6]

GAISF Council

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The council was composed of a president, two vice-presidents, a treasurer and five members.

The council's final composition was:

Designation Name Country Sport Federation
President Ivo Ferriani   Italy International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation
Vice-President Stephan Fox   Germany/  Australia International Federation of Muaythai Amateur
Treasurer Riccardo Fraccari   Italy World Baseball Softball Confederation
Council Members Marisol Casado   Spain International Triathlon Union
Kate Caithness   Scotland/  United Kingdom World Curling Federation
Raffaele Chiulli   Italy International Powerboating Federation
Nenad Lalović   Serbia United World Wrestling
Ingmar De Vos   Belgium International Equestrian Federation

Function

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GAISF was the umbrella organisation for both Olympic and non-Olympic international sports federations, as well as organisers of international sporting events. In this role it provided expertise in, for example, anti-doping, integrity and social responsibility. By establishing multi-sports games that group together similar sports, GAISF aimed to promote the members and the members' visibility.[7]

Membership

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Member international federations could be either full or associate members of GAISF.[8]

History

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GAISF is deeply rooted in the sports movement. As early as 1921, international sports federations (IFs) expressed the need for a representative of their common objectives and interests. Under the direction of Paul Rousseau, Secretary General of the Union Cycliste International (UCI), a permanent bureau of the IFs was established to facilitate dialogue with the Olympic authorities.[citation needed]

In 1967, 26 international sports federations met in Lausanne, agreed on the need to increase permanent liaisons, and adopted the name, “General Assembly of International Sports Federations”. In order to establish a more formalised organisation, the “General Association of International Sports Federations" (GAISF) was formed in 1976, and the headquarters were moved to Monaco two years later.

The new millennium brought important changes to the organisation. Reacting to the increasing pressure on IFs to professionalise and develop, GAISF, in collaboration with the Associations of Summer and Winter Olympic International Federations (ASOIF and AIOWF), launched the first SportAccord International Convention in 2003. This new format “by sport for sport” allowed IFs and sports business to get together, share knowledge and network.

In March 2009, GAISF was rebranded SportAccord and, in the same year, its offices moved from Monaco to Lausanne, the Olympic capital.

In April 2017, following the former president Marius Vizer's controversial attack against IOC president Thomas Bach during the opening SportAccord's 2015 convention in Sochi and his subsequent resignation, the organisation rebranded back to GAISF under its new president Patrick Baumann.[9]

1920s

As early as 1921, under the direction of Paul Rousseau, Secretary General of the “Union Cycliste International”, a permanent bureau of the international sports federations (IFs) was created. With regular IFs/IOC meetings taking place, dialogue with the Olympic authorities became easier. However, organisations that were not part of the Olympic movement were excluded.

1960s

In the 1960s, the sports movement evolved rapidly. Roger Coulon, President of the “Fédération Internationale de Lutte Amateur”, was the first to express the need for a wider recognition of the role of IFs. For non-Olympic federations, a forum that would enable them to better express their points of view was necessary. The creation of a stable organisation ensuring permanent relations between IFs appeared to be the logical continuation of their meetings, which had taken place frequently but without rules or a fixed organisation. The common preparation of these meetings with the IOC could thus be better supported. It also permitted a constant liaison between the IFs and the general population. In 1966, the time seemed appropriate, and the conversion to the newly constituted Assembly was launched.

1967

On 21–23 April 1967, delegates from the following 26 international sports federations met in Lausanne in the Hotel Continental: Aeronautics, Rowing, Basketball, Bobsleigh, Boules, Canoeing, Cycling, Equestrian, Fencing, Gymnastics, Handball, Hockey, Ice Hockey, Judo, Luge, Wrestling, Motorcycling, Swimming, Modern Pentathlon, Roller Skating, Skiing, Shooting, Volleyball, Weightlifting, University Sport, and Maccabi.

The delegates agreed on the necessity to establish permanent liaisons between the IFs for the defence of their objectives and common goals, the preservation of their autonomy, and constant exchange of information. The name “General Assembly of International Sports Federations” was adopted.

In 1976, this name was replaced by “General Association of International Sports Federations” (GAISF). In 1978, the office moved from Lausanne to Monaco. GAISF represented the extension of the past meetings of the IFs, dealing not only with Olympic matters, but also with all questions of common interest for the IFs.

2000s

In 2003, in collaboration with ASOIF and AIOWF, GAISF launched the first SportAccord Convention to answer a need of the IFs, which were looking for a “one-stop shop” where they could hold their annual meetings, be encouraged to network and share their knowledge.

In March 2009, GAISF was rebranded SportAccord at the meeting of the 7th SportAccord International Convention in Denver. In April 2009, it moved its main office from Monaco to Maison du Sport International in Lausanne, Switzerland.[10]

On 25 May 2012, the last of eight days of the annual General Assembly of SportAccord in Quebec City, the Federation of International Lacrosse and the International Mind Sports Association were accepted, bringing the number of SportAccord members to 107.[11]

On 31 May 2013, the last of eight days of the annual General Assembly of SportAccord in Saint Petersburg, the International Cheer Union and the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile were voted into SportAccord.[12]

On 20 April 2015, at SportAccord's 2015 convention in Sochi, SportAccord president Marius Vizer made a speech that was sharply critical of the IOC and its president, Thomas Bach. Following the speech, the IAAF (now known as World Athletics), the ISSF, and World Archery withdrew from SportAccord in protest,[13] and there were a number of further withdrawals in May 2015, including the International Rowing Federation.[14]

At the 2017 convention in Aarhus, Federation Internationale du Sport Universitaire (FISU) and Federation of International Bandy (FIB) became full members[15] and SportAccord was renamed GAISF.

By the end of 2018, The World ArmWrestling Federation (WAF) was the new addition to the GAISF Full Member List along with 4 Associate Members – World Olympics Association, International Sports Press Association, World Union of Olympic Cities and World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry.

In May 2019, Raffaele Chiulli was unanimously elected as GAISF President in Gold Coast, Australia.

Member federations at time of dissolution

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# Sport Logo Organisation Acronym Founded Membership
ASOIF[16][17][18] AIOWF ARISF[19] AIMS Archived 8 February 2023 at the Wayback Machine
1 Aikido   International Aikido Federation IAF 1976
2 Air sports                           World Air Sports Federation FAI 1905
3 American football     International Federation of American Football IFAF 1998
4 Aquatics                 World Aquatics FINA 1908
5 Archery[20]               World Archery Federation WA 1931
6 Armwrestling   World Armwrestling Federation WAF 1977
7 Athletics[20]                               World Athletics IAAF 1912
8 Automobile racing       Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile FIA 1904
9 Badminton   Badminton World Federation BWF 1934
10 Bandy   Federation of International Bandy FIB 1955
11 Baseball and softball         World Baseball Softball Confederation WBSC 2013 Associate member
12 Basketball     International Basketball Federation FIBA 1932
13 Basque pelota   Federación Internacional de Pelota Vasca FIPV 1929
14 Biathlon   International Biathlon Union IBU 1993
15 Billiard sports     World Confederation of Billiards Sports WCBS 1992
16 Bobsleigh     International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation IBSF 1923
17 Bodybuilding   International Federation of Bodybuilding & Fitness IFBB 1946
18 Boules       Confédération Mondiale des Sports de Boules CMSB 1985
19 Bowling       International Bowling Federation IBF 1952
20 Boxing     International Boxing Association IBA 1946
21 Bridge   World Bridge Federation WBF 1958
22 Canoeing           International Canoe Federation ICF 1946
23 Casting   International Casting Sport Federation ICSF 1955
24 Cheer   International Cheer Union ICU 2004
25 Chess   International Chess Federation FIDE 1924
26 Climbing & Mountaineering     International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation UIAA 1932
27 Cricket   International Cricket Council ICC 1909
28 Curling   World Curling Federation WCF 1966
29 Cycle Sport                     International Cycling Union UCI 1900
30 DanceSport       World DanceSport Federation WDSF 1957 Associate Member
31 Darts   World Darts Federation WDF 1974
32 Dragon Boat   International Dragon Boat Federation IDBF 1991
33 Draughts   World Draughts Federation FMJD 1947
34 Equestrian sports               International Federation for Equestrian Sports FEI 1921
35 Fencing   International Fencing Federation FIE 1913
36 Fistball   International Fistball Association IFA 1960
37 Floorball   International Floorball Federation IFF 1986
38 Flying disc     World Flying Disc Federation WFDF 1985
39 Football         Fédération Internationale de Football Association FIFA 1904
40 Go   International Go Federation IGF 1982
41 Golf   International Golf Federation IGF 1958
42 Gymnastics                                  International Gymnastics Federation FIG 1881
43 Handball     International Handball Federation IHF 1946
44 Field hockey       International Hockey Federation FIH 1924
45 Ice hockey   International Ice Hockey Federation IIHF 1908
46 Ice stock sport   International Federation Icestocksport IFI 1975
47 Judo   International Judo Federation IJF 1951
48 Ju-Jitsu   Ju-Jitsu International Federation JJIF 1977
49 Karate     World Karate Federation WKF 1970
50 Kendo   International Kendo Federation FIK 1970
51 Kickboxing   World Association of Kickboxing Organisations WAKO 1976
52 Korfball   International Korfball Federation IKF 1963
53 Lacrosse   World Lacrosse WL 2008
54 Lifesaving   International Life Saving Federation ILS 1993
55 Luge   Fédération Internationale de Luge de Course FIL 1957
56 Minigolf   World Minigolf Sport Federation WMF 1963
57 Modern pentathlon     Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne UIPM 1912
58 Motorcycle racing             Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme FIM 1904
59 Muaythai   International Federation of Muaythai Amateur IFMA 1993
60 Netball   International Federation of Netball Associations IFNA 1960
61 Orienteering     International Orienteering Federation IOF 1961
62 Polo   Federation of International Polo FIP 1983
63 Powerboating       Union Internationale Motonautique UIM 1927
64 Powerlifting   International Powerlifting Federation IPF 1971
65 Practical shooting     International Practical Shooting Confederation IPSC 1976
66 Racquetball   International Racquetball Federation IRF 1950
67 Roller sports             World Skate FIRS 1924
68 Rowing         World Rowing FISA 1892
69 Rugby union     World Rugby WR 1886
70 Sailing       World Sailing WS 1907
71 Sambo     Fédération Internationale de Sambo FIAS 1992
72 Savate   Federation Internationale de Savate FISav 1992
73 Sepaktakraw     International Sepaktakraw Federation ISTAF 1988
74 Shooting sport[20]       International Shooting Sport Federation ISSF 1907
75 Skating       International Skating Union ISU 1892
76 Skiing                       Fédération Internationale de Ski FIS 1924
77 Ski mountaineering   International Ski and Snowboard Federation ISMF 2008 Associate Member
78 Sleddog   International Federation of Sleddog Sports IFSS 1992
79 Soft tennis   International Soft Tennis Federation ISTF 1999
80 Sport climbing     International Federation of Sport Climbing IFSC 2007
81 Sports fishing   Confédération Internationale de la Pêche Sportive CIPS 1952
82 Squash   World Squash Federation WSF 1967
83 Sumo   International Sumo Federation IFS 1992
84 Surfing   International Surfing Association ISASurf 1964
85 Table tennis   International Table Tennis Federation ITTF 1926
86 Taekwondo   World Taekwondo WT 1973
87 Tennis     International Tennis Federation ITF 1913
88 Teqball
 
International Federation of Teqball FITEQ 2017
89 Triathlon     International Triathlon Union ITU 1989
90 Tug of war   Tug of War International Federation TWIF 1960
91 Underwater sports           Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques CMAS 1959
92 University Sports
 
Fédération Internationale du Sport Universitaire FISU 1949
93 Volleyball     Fédération Internationale de Volleyball FIVB 1947
94 Waterskiing       International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation IWWF 1955
95 Weightlifting   International Weightlifting Federation IWF 1905
96 Wrestling            United World Wrestling UWW 1912
97 Wushu   International Wushu Federation IWUF 1990
31+2 7+1 39 20

Associate members at time of dissolution

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Other members were:

Observers at time of dissolution

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The GAISF Observer Status could be requested by the Applicants to GAISF Membership that were interested to obtain support and guidance in their path to fulfil the GAISF Membership Criteria.

Sport Organisation Acronym
Dodgeball World Dodgeball Association WDA
Footgolf Federation for International FootGolf FIFG
Jump rope International Jump Rope Union IJRU
Kettlebell lifting International Union of Kettlebell Lifting IUKL
Obstacle racing World Obstacle FISO
Padel International Padel Federation IPF
Poker International Federation of Match Poker IFP
Pole dance International Pole Sports Federation IPSF
Rafting International Rafting Federation IRF
Rugby league Rugby League International Federation IRL
Table football/soccer International Table Soccer Federation ITSF

List of GAISF presidents

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President Member of Duration
William Berge Phillips FINA 1967–1969
Thomas Keller FISA 1969–1986
Un Yong Kim WTF 1986–2004
Hein Verbruggen UCI 2004–2013
Marius Vizer IJF 2013–2015
Gian-Franco Kasper FIS 2015–2016
Patrick Baumann FIBA 2016–2018
Raffaele Chiulli UIM 2018–2021
Ivo Ferriani IBSF 2021–2023

Final organizational structure

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President Vice President Interim Manager
Ivo Ferriani Stephan Fox Nis Hatt

SportAccord Convention

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See also

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Notes and references

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  1. ^ "Members". SportAccord – International Federations' Union. 19 July 2013. Archived from the original on 19 January 2022. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  2. ^ a b "Mission and Vision". GAISF. Archived from the original on 18 December 2021. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  3. ^ "Members approve dissolution of GAISF at Extraordinary General Assembly". GAISF. Archived from the original on 27 January 2023. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  4. ^ "Dissolution of GAISF approved at Extraordinary General Assembly, record attendance of members, next steps clarified". GAISF. Archived from the original on 30 January 2023. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  5. ^ "Ivo Ferriani: The global sports community has secured its future for 2023 and beyond". GAISF. Archived from the original on 27 January 2023. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  6. ^ "Extraordinary General Assembly approves the final liquidation of GAISF". GAISF. 14 September 2023. Archived from the original on 26 September 2023. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  7. ^ "Mission and Vision". Archived from the original on 14 April 2019. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
  8. ^ "Associate Membership" Archived 19 January 2022 at the Wayback Machine. GAISF. 19 July 2013. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  9. ^ "Welcome to the new GAISF website". GAISF. Archived from the original on 17 October 2017. Retrieved 18 September 2017.
  10. ^ "History of SportAccord". SportAccord. Archived from the original on 5 October 2012. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
  11. ^ "Federation of International Lacrosse and International Mind Sports Association are new SportAccord Members". SportAccord. 25 May 2012. Archived from the original on 17 December 2014. Retrieved 11 November 2014.
  12. ^ "International Cheer Union and Federation Internationale de l'Automobile are new SportAccord Members". SportAccord. 31 May 2013. Archived from the original on 15 June 2013. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  13. ^ Livingstone, Robert (20 April 2015). "SportAccord Counts Its Losses After Chief's Attack on Olympics Backfires". GamesBids.com. Archived from the original on 24 April 2015. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
  14. ^ "World Rowing resigns from SportAccord". insidethegames. 20 May 2015. Archived from the original on 24 May 2015. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
  15. ^ "SportAccord changes name to Global Association of International Sports Federations". 7 April 2017. Archived from the original on 9 April 2017. Retrieved 9 April 2017.
  16. ^ "Members". ASOIF. Archived from the original on 14 May 2021. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  17. ^ "ASOIF Statutes" (PDF). 9 June 2022. p. 12. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 October 2022. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  18. ^ "Organisational Structure". ASOIF. 27 April 2016. Archived from the original on 12 June 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  19. ^ "Members - ARISF Association of IOC Recognised International Sport Federation". www.arisf.sport. Archived from the original on 22 January 2021. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  20. ^ a b c The IAAF, ISSF and World Archery Federation withdrew from SportAccord on 20 April 2015.
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