Sydney, Australia: The 59th Executive Council meeting of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) concluded in Sydney on Tuesday. The meeting was chaired by the President of ANOC, His Excellency Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah. Among other issues, the Executive Council approved the new constitution of ANOC. This new constitution will be formally ratified and adopted by the 204 member National Olympic Committees of ANOC at the ANOC Extraordinary General Assembly in Lausanne, Switzerland, on June 15, 2013.

The Executive Council also approved the recommendations of the Modernisation Commission which will guide the future activities of ANOC. The ANOC Ex-Co also unanimously decided that the 2014 ANOC General Assembly will be held in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in October 2014. In another function, His Excellency Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah, ANOC President, was awarded the Australian Olympic Committee’s Order of Merit.

Sheikh Ahmad is the second sports leader from overseas to receive this prestigious award after the IOC President, Jacques Rogge. The award was presented by Mr John Coates, President of the Australian Olympic Committee.