The origin and the birth of GAISF

Even though the General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) has existed since 1967, the need felt by the majority of the IFs to group together to communicate and co-operate voiced itself much earlier.

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. Because of the pressure he exerted, dialogue with the Olympic authorities became easier. The Olympic Congress of Prague, in 1925, served as proof. After that, regular IF/IOC meetings took place but the organisations not having the opportunity to make up part of the Olympic circle were excluded.

In the 1960's, more than any other sports official of his time, Roger COULON, President of the 'FÈdÈration Internationale de Lutte Amateur,' felt and expressed the needs brought about by the rapid evolution of the sports movement. The recognition of a more important role for the IFs was needed. He and his friends wanted to see the IFs better control the evolution of international sport. For the non-Olympic federations, a forum which would permit them to better express their points of view was necessary.

Common measures should be able to be adopted. In addition, the recognition of the common interests in the domains that became more technical increased from year to year.

The creation of a stable organization ensuring the permanence of relations of the IFs between themselves, Olympic or not, no matter what their status might be, thus appeared to an ever-growing number of officials the logical continuation of the meetings which took place frequently but without rules or fixed organization. The common preparation of these meetings with the IOC could thus be better ensured. It would also permit a constant liaison between the IFs and the outside world. In 1966 the time seemed appropriate. The convocation to the constituted Assembly was launched.

1967: 1st Assembly in Lausanne (SUI)

From 21-23 April 1967, delegates from 26 International Sports Federations met in Lausanne in the meeting rooms of 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 absence of delegates from athletics was sadly felt. The President of the IAAF at the time, the Marquis of Exeter, Vice President of the IOC, judged preferable to maintain his Federation aside from this effort destined to reinforce the strength of the IFs.

Roger COULON, the true Master of Ceremonies of this Constitutional meeting, opened the debates. The presidency of the meeting was ensured first by the President of the FINA (swimming), W. Berge PHILLIPS, who was to become the 1st President of GAISF, the President of the FISA (rowing), Thomas KELLER, who was to succeed him from 1969-1986 and William J. JONES, Secretary General of the FIBA (basketball). If dissension sometimes came about between the IFs and the IOC, specified Roger COULON, it was solely on an individual basis, not between the sports and the institution. The delegates agreed on the necessity to establish a permanent liaison between the IFs, for the defence of objectives and common goals, the preservation of autonomy and constant exchange of information.

The union, it is indicated, represents a moral power; it permits all organisms to present joint suggestions in the name of the IFs.

The name 'General Assembly of International Sports Federations' was adopted, but the abbreviation GAIF was kept in respect for the FIS (skiing). This name and this abbreviation was to be replaced by GAISF in 1976.

Already, in these first days, important suggestions arose. Roger COULON asked for the convocation of an Olympic Congress. This Congress, a consultative meeting between all the constitutional parties of the Olympic Movement, had not met since 1930. Thomas KELLER insisted on the importance of studies preceding the attribution of Games to candidate cities. The establishing of a sports calendar, put together by Roger COULON, helping to avoid the overloading of certain dates, was unanimously welcomed as long overdue progress.

The President of GAISF is recognized as having the right to represent the IFs in discussions with all other organizations. This meeting is also characterized by the mailing of a letter to the IOC President at the time, Avery BRUNDAGE, in which the delegates of the IFs undersigning recommended a new era in Olympic relations.

Other than the election of W. Berge PHILLIPS to the Presidency, Roger COULON was unanimously voted Secretary General and Charles DEMAUREX (hockey) was named Treasurer.

GAIF, which became GAISF, is thus the logical continuation of the IF meetings of the past, dealing not only with Olympic matters but with all questions of common interest tied to sport.