Lalovic, IOC, Olympic Solidarity, Olympics

President Lalovic to Serve as Member of IOC's Olympic Solidarity Commission

By Tim Foley

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY (April 26) – The International Olympic Committee announced this week that United World Wrestling president Nenad Lalovic has accepted an appointment to serve as a member of the IOC’s commission for Olympic Solidarity.

The commission for Olympic Solidarity acts to “organize assistance to all the National Olympic Committees, particularly those with the greatest needs, through multi-faceted programs prioritizing athlete development, training of coaches and sports administrators, and promoting the Olympic values.”

Lalovic is the first for a president of the international wrestling federation to serve in this role.

“Olympic Solidarity is a vital part of the Olympic movement,” said Lalovic. “I look forward to working with my partners on the commission to provide access to sport for millions of athletes around the world. Part of our mission at the IOC is to build sport for those in need and through programs motivated by Agenda 2020 I know we can continue that improvement.”

Lalovic will begin work with the commission immediately.

Development

Wrestling completes tree-planting initiative in Casablanca

By United World Wrestling Press

CASABLANCA, Morocco (June 30) --- A tree-planting initiative was organized in Casablanca in partnership with local authorities. This initiative aimed to raise participants’ awareness of the environmental emergency and the role of sport in combating climate change.

“Planting a tree is sowing a promise. Today, we plant for tomorrow, just as we train today for tomorrow’s medals,” said Assad Ouassama a young Moroccan wrestler participating in the camp, with emotion.

An educational session on environmental protection in sport also took place on April 25, continuing eco-responsible momentum.

A Fraternal Atmosphere and a Family Spirit

Beyond the technical and educational aspects, this camp provided many athletes with the opportunity to build lasting bonds with their fellow African counterparts.

“I leave not only stronger, but with lifelong friends. Camps like this strengthen our continental identity and spirit of unity,” emphasized Rahman Sesay ABDUL, a Sierra Leonean coach attending the training camp.

The warm atmosphere and high-quality exchanges confirmed the value of this holistic approach to sports training.

Toward a New Model of Sports Organization in Africa

By combining sporting excellence with educational values and social engagement, United World Wrestling is promoting an innovative model for competitions across the African continent.

“Casablanca 2025 is not just a competition; it’s a turning point. By integrating these educational dimensions, we are building a sustainable ecosystem for wrestling in Africa,” concluded Fouad Meskout, President of UWW Africa.

A Lasting Legacy for Casablanca and Africa

As the African Championships opened in an atmosphere of commitment and unity, the training camp organized by UWW stood out as a model to follow. It demonstrated that athletic performance can -- and should -- be paired with social and environmental consciousness.