A Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) was signed between the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI) on June 2 at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne.

The MoC, signed by IOC President Thomas Bach and WFSGI President Frank A. Dassler, builds on the spirit of the original Code of Conduct, signed in December 1997, and aims to strengthen the relationship between the sporting goods industry and the Olympic Movement.

“The renewed cooperation sets out the overarching framework and confirms the mutual interest to pursue and strengthen our cooperation with the IOC on existing projects for the success of the Olympic Games and sport in general,” said WFSGI Secretary General Robbert de Kock. “Moreover, we look forward to exploring joint opportunities of activities that contribute to the sustainable development and the integrity of sport.”

The IOC and WFSGI re-affirmed their cooperation to further collaborate on the welfare of athletes, within the Olympic Movement. Both organizations have a mutual interest to achieve common goals and the central vision of “building a better world through sport” on the basis of the IOC’s Olympic Agenda 2020.

“We are pleased with the Olympic recognition for the sporting goods industry,” said WFSGI President Frank A. Dassler. “The WFSGI, and its members, play an important role in the Olympic Movement through the outfitting and support of athletes, teams, national federations, National Olympic Committees (“NOCs”), Organizing Committees for the Olympic Games (“OCOGs”) and other sport organizations, and through their commitment towards promoting the highest ethical standards within the sporting goods industries global marketplace.”

The WFSGI represents the global sporting goods industry and belongs since 1992 to the Olympic Movement as a recognized organization by the IOC. The first Code of Conduct with the IOC was signed in 1997.