MILAN, Feb. 4 (Xinhua) -- The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is set to fundamentally reform how future Summer and Winter Games hosts are chosen, moving away from a process criticized for being opaque and costly while seeking greater member involvement and strategic alignment.
The proposed changes, presented by IOC member and Future Host Commission chair Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic at the 145th IOC Session, follow extensive consultations.
"The goals are structured timelines, greater transparency, and more meaningful IOC member involvement," Grabar-Kitarovic told her fellow IOC members.
She emphasized that the new approach would be built upon five core principles: alignment with IOC strategy, collaboration, transparency, flexibility, and a focus on legacy.
A central tenet of the reform is increased openness. "Clear criteria, documented procedures, and more regular updates for both IOC members and interested parties would build legitimacy and guard against perceptions of favoritism," Grabar-Kitarovic stated.
A key recommendation is the creation of a new "transitional stage" within the selection process. This stage would enable the shortlisting of a limited number of advanced candidate projects for deeper evaluation, with selections based on the IOC's strategic direction as set by its Executive Board.
"We acknowledge that the current binary distinction between continuous and targeted dialogue may be too sharp," Grabar-Kitarovic explained, highlighting the need for a more nuanced approach.
Grabar-Kitarovic suggested transparent evaluation criteria could include "the importance of venue master plans, clarity on the sports program, financial guarantees, and the added value of prior experience in hosting multi-sport events".
This reform process was launched following the "Fit for the Future" initiative in June 2025. The Future Host Commission convened in September 2025 to begin detailed work on refining the election process, incorporating feedback from stakeholders across the Olympic Movement.
