Australian world champion slalom canoeist Jessica Fox said that the IOC's vision for the future of the Olympic Games has created a “feeling of renewal and modernization,’’ according to Nicole Jeffery of THE AUSTRALIAN. Fox was one of 10 athletes from around the world invited to Wednesday’s round-table discussion in Lausanne "of 40 recommendations to be put before the IOC membership for approval next month." Fox, 20, said that "she was encouraged" by IOC President Thomas Bach’s vision for the Games. Fox: “I think the recommendations are very positive and will be really beneficial to the Olympics. One of the biggest issues is the sustainability of the Olympics, so these reforms are positive and come at the right time.’’ Fox said athletes and sports organizations needed to be “open-minded and embrace these changes.’’Australia’s IOC VP John Coates said that "the Olympics must modernise its program or risk losing relevance to younger generations." Coates: “We have to find a way of being able to introduce new sports that are relevant to young people." Coates believes that "the anti-doping campaign remains the top priority for the Olympic movement, and the agenda includes several recommendations designed to support clean athletes" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 11/20).
