Lausanne Switzerland, February 21, 2003 - The IOC Executive Board announced on 20 February evening a number of decisions on the disciplines and sports of the program for Beijing 2005 Olympic Games. These decisions were taken in consultation with the International Federations concerned, for which the Program Commission had recommended either excluding disciplines or changing certain events.

Eventing will be maintained in the Olympic Programme of 2008 Beijing, on the condition that it is organised under the new format proposed by the FEI. The shorter Olympic format proposed by the FEI, in line with the present CIC World Cup Formula, will be used as of Athens 2004.

The new Olympic Eventing format includes a Dressage test, followed by a shorter cross country phase (no road and track and no steeple chase) and a Jumping test, with the best 25 riders progressing to a second Jumping test to decide the individual medals.

With regard to future Olympic Games after Beijing 2008, The IOC Executive Board also adopted a timetable to form a new Program Commission, including representatives of the NOCs and IFs, which will systematically review all sports on the Olympic program on the basis of a newly established list of criteria.

FEI 2003 General Assembly Cancelled

Further to the unstable worldwide political situation in the world, the FEI 2003 General Assembly, due to take place in Manama, Bahrain at the end of April, was cancelled by the Executive Board on February 19, 2003.

The Executive Board of the FEI based its decision on the emergency powers that the Statutes provide under Article 033.7. This decision was taken with utmost regret vis-à-vis the Bahrain Equestrian Federation, which has already undertaken such important efforts to welcome the FEI Delegates and to assure an excellent General Assembly.

Consequently, a working meeting of the FEI Bureau will be organised in Madrid (ESP), in order to take all the decisions that are required to assure the smooth running of the FEI during this difficult period. The items that would have been submitted to the General Assembly in 2003 will again be on the agenda for 2004.

Outgoing Bureau Members Elena Petushkova (RUS) Chairman of Group III, Shael Bin Kalifa Al Kuwari (QAT), Chairman of Group VII and Jack Pemberton (CAN), Chairman of the Driving Committee as well as two outgoing members of the Judicial Committee and one of the Finance Committee will have their term prolonged by one year. Election will take place at 2004 General Assembly for a shortened term of 3 year.

EBU To Distributw the Super League

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) confirmed that it will be offering the eight events part of the 2003 Samsung Super League for distribution. After each event a 3 minutes news item will also be available.