Global Association of International Sports Federations


Global Association of International Sports Federations is the umbrella organisation for all international sports federations as well as organisers of multi-sports games and sport-related international associations. GAISF is an international sport organisation with 95 full members and 20 associate members.

GAISF Council

The council is composed of a president, two vice-presidents, a treasurer and five members.
DesignationNameCountrySport Federation
PresidentDr. Raffaele ChiulliInternational Powerboating Federation
Vice-PresidentMr. Stephan Fox/International Federation of Muaythai Amateur
TreasurerMrs. Marisol CasadoInternational Triathlon Union
Council MembersMr. Gian-Franco KasperInternational Ski Federation
Council MembersMr. Riccardo FraccariWorld Baseball Softball Confederation
Council MembersMs. Kate Caithness/World Curling Federation
Council MembersMr. Nenad LalovićUnited World Wrestling
Council MembersMr. José Perurena LópezInternational Canoe Federation

Mission and values

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

Membership

Member international federations can be either full or associate members of GAISF.

History

GAISF is deeply rooted in the sports movement. As early as 1921, international sports federations expressed the need for a representative of their common objectives and interests. Under the direction of Paul Rousseau, Secretary General of the Union Cycliste Internationale, a permanent bureau of the IFs was established to facilitate dialogue with the Olympic authorities.
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" 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, 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. SportAccord adopted the motto "Unite & Support" with the aim to serve and promote its members. Its ambition is to provide high-quality services and expertise in areas that are of most importance to its members.
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.
In May 2019, Raffaele Chiulli was unanimously elected as GAISF President in Gold Coast, Australia
1920s
As early as 1921, under the direction of Paul Rousseau, Secretary General of the “Union Cycliste Internationale”, a permanent bureau of the international sports federations 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”. 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.
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.
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.
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, the ISSF, and World Archery withdrew from SportAccord in protest, and there were a number of further withdrawals in May 2015, including the International Rowing Federation.
At the 2017 convention in Aarhus, Federation Internationale du Sport Universitaire and Federation of International Bandy became full members and SportAccord was renamed GAISF.
By the end of 2018, The World ArmWrestling Federation 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

Member federations

Associate members

Multi-Sports
Other
The GAISF Observer Status can be requested by the Applicants to GAISF Membership interested to obtain support and guidance in their path to fulfil the GAISF Membership Criteria.
World Dodgeball Association
Federation for International FootGolf
International Union of Kettlebell Lifting
International Federation of Match Poker
International Federation of Teqball
International Pole Sports Federation
International Table Soccer Federation
Rugby League International Federation
International Practical Shooting Confederation
International Padel Federation
International Rafting Federation
International Jump Rope Union
Federation International de Sand et Land Yachting

List of GAISF presidents

Current organizational structure

SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit

WHERE SPORT MEETS
Originally launched in 2003, SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit is a gathering of more than 1,500 leading representatives from the sports industry. SportAccord is focused on driving positive change internationally and dedicated to engaging and connecting; international federations, rights holders, organising committees, cities, press and media, businesses and other organisations involved in the development of sport.
SportAccord is a not-for-profit organisation which annually brings together representatives from more than 100 International Sports Federations affiliated with the following umbrella organisations that host their Annual General Assemblies at SportAccord. Our event is an international sport convention hosted over a week, combining an exhibition area, a themed conference programme and a multitude of networking events.
SportAccord’s stakeholders include: ASOIF, AIOWF, ARISF, AIMS, GAISF and Associate Members. In addition, SportAccord receives the full support of the IOC .
SAICDatesHost City
1st12–16 May 2003 Madrid, Spain
2nd15–20 May 2004 Lausanne, Switzerland
3rd16–20 April 2005 Berlin, Germany
4th3–7 April 2006 Seoul, South Korea
5th22–27 April 2007 Beijing, China
6th2–6 June 2008 Athens, Greece
7th23–27 March 2009 Denver, United States
8th20–25 April 2010 Dubai, United Arab Emirates
9th3–8 April 2011 London, United Kingdom
10th20–25 May 2012 Quebec City, Canada
11th26–31 May 2013 Saint Petersburg, Russia
12th6–11 April 2014 Belek, Turkey
13th19–24 April 2015 Sochi, Russia
14th17–22 April 2016 Lausanne, Switzerland
15th2–7 April 2017 Aarhus, Denmark
16th15–20 April 2018 Bangkok, Thailand
17th5–10 May 2019 Gold Coast, Australia
18th23–28 May 2021 Yekaterinburg, Russia