The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced a significant restructuring of its governance framework by disbanding 12 of its permanent committees. The move aims to streamline operations and reduce costs by replacing standing committees with ad hoc expert panels formed as needed. Following the changes, 19 committees will remain active within the IOC.

IOC President Kirsty Coventry, now in her second year leading the organization, has increasingly relied on smaller, specialized working groups to address key issues rather than maintaining larger, permanent committees. This shift was reflected in the recent handling of a review focusing on the “protection of the female category” in sports, which was assigned to a confidential expert panel instead of the Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion commission.

Among the committees set to be dissolved is the IOC Advisory Committee on Human Rights, formerly chaired by Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, the former deputy president of South Africa. Other commissions being eliminated include panels dedicated to sustainability, technology, athletes’ entourage, digital engagement, and the aforementioned Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion commission.

The IOC’s decision reflects an effort to adapt its internal processes to a more flexible and responsive model, relying on expert input for specific issues rather than maintaining broad, permanent bodies. While the organization has not provided detailed financial figures related to the cost savings, officials have described the restructuring as a necessary step to improve efficiency in an evolving global sports environment.