FIAS Delegation Takes Part in SportAccord Forum 2026 in Lausanne

An International SAMBO Federation (FIAS) delegation led by FIAS President Vasily Shestakov took part in the SportAccord Forum 2026, held on 5-7 October in Lausanne, Switzerland. FIAS Director General and Acting Secretary General Alexander Korsik was also part of the delegation.

During the forum, FIAS representatives met with International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry and held working talks with representatives of the IOC Sports Department. One of the key topics was the further development of SAMBO within the international sports system and its prospects on the path to the Olympic program.

Particular attention at the forum was paid to the IOC's new strategic framework, Fit for the Future, which sets out the main directions for the development of the Olympic Movement through 2032. The strategy was shaped by the large-scale Pause and Reflect consultation process launched by IOC President Kirsty Coventry. It covers five key areas: athletes, the Olympic Games, the Olympic Movement, the impact of the Olympic Movement, and audience engagement and revenue generation.

For international federations, the IOC's evolving approach to shaping the Olympic sports program is especially significant. Under Fit for the Future, the IOC is considering how the program should develop in light of athletes' and young audiences' interests, the global reach of sports, the sustainability and cost-effectiveness of hosting the Games, and changes in the wider sporting environment. For FIAS, understanding these new principles is of strategic importance. It allows the federation to take the IOC's priorities into account as SAMBO develops and to build its long-term work on promoting the sport within the Olympic Movement.

In Lausanne, the FIAS delegation also took part in the General Assemblies of the International World Games Association (IWGA) and the Association of IOC Recognised International Sports Federations (ARISF), and held working meetings with the leadership of both organizations. One of the key topics was continuing the work to include SAMBO in the program of The World Games 2029 in Karlsruhe, Germany.

An important part of the program was a meeting with the leadership of the International Military Sports Council (CISM), including its President and Secretary General. The sides reviewed the results of the first international SAMBO tournament for military personnel, which CISM's leadership rated highly. The successful staging of the competition marked an important step in developing cooperation between FIAS and CISM.

The sides also discussed the possibility of holding a second international SAMBO tournament for military personnel, further expanding SAMBO's presence in the CISM sports program, and strengthening cooperation between the two organisations. FIAS and CISM expressed interest in continuing joint work and building long-term cooperation.

Working meetings were also held at the SportAccord Forum with United World Wrestling (UWW) President Nenad Lalović and International Federation of Muaythai Associations (IFMA) Secretary General Stefan Fox. The sides discussed current issues in the development of the international sports movement and further cooperation.

FIAS representatives also took part in a meeting dedicated to the World Combat Games. Participants discussed the future of the project, the prospects for holding the next edition, and possible formats of cooperation between international federations within this multi-sport event.

“Lausanne has been one of the main venues these days where the international sports movement sets its course for the coming years. It was important for SAMBO to be here, to receive information first-hand and to hold direct dialogue with the IOC leadership and international sports organizations. The new Fit for the Future strategy gives us an understanding of where the Olympic Movement is heading and what requirements will be placed on international federations and sports. We will take these changes into account in our work, continuing to expand SAMBO's presence in the largest multi-sport competitions and moving steadily towards our strategic goal: the inclusion of SAMBO in the Olympic Games program,” said International SAMBO Federation President Vasily Shestakov.

The SportAccord Forum 2026 took place at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne. Previously known as the International Federation Forum (IF Forum), it was renamed this year and held in an expanded format. This was the 20th edition of the event, which is held with the support of the IOC. The forum's theme was “When the Playbook Changes: Leading Sport in a New Reality”.