Islamic Solidarity Sports Association leadership concludes successful Olympic Games visit

ISSA President HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal and Secretary General Nasser Majali were in Paris for the Olympic Games, and strengthened the organization’s relations with stakeholders from across the Olympic Movement through meetings with leaders from International Federations and NOCs.

At Paris 2024, there were 84 medals earned by athletes representing the ISSA’s 57 members, led by Uzbekistan who won an impressive eight gold medals. This represents an increase from the 77 medals collectively won at Tokyo 2020.

There were also three gold medals for Iran, and two for Azerbaijan which ensured three of the ISSA’s members finished in the top 30 of the medal table. In contrast, only Iran featured in the top 30 at Tokyo 2020.

Athletes from 20 of the ISSA’s member NOCs won medals at Paris 2024, including Albania for the first time with two bronzes in wrestling.

The impressive performances of the athletes have demonstrated the power and potential of sport across the membership, which the ISSA will continue to harness moving forward.

Away from the field of play in Paris, the ISSA took important steps in its transformation, which will ensure a bright future for sport and athletes from across its 57 members.

MoU signings were coordinated with leaders from International Federations for volleyball, taekwondo, karate and Muaythai, which are all part of the program for the 2025 Islamic Solidarity Games.

These MoUs outline the principles for the inclusion of the sports at the 2025 Games in Riyadh, which promise to celebrate peace, diversity and humanity across the ISSA’s members.

Engagement with International Federations forms a key part of the ISSA’s drive to set inspiring new standards for its premier multi-sport event, and a dynamic sports program is set to inspire young people from across the ISSA’s membership.

As part of the ISSA’s transformation into a multi-impact organization which leads the development of sport across its member states, the MoUs additionally include provisions for collaborations on various programs with International Federations.

These include developing the respective sports across the ISSA’s membership, working together on educational programs, and collaborating on initiatives to combat doping, match manipulation and violence in sports.

The ISSA intends to sign more MoUs with International Federations in the near future to drive forward its goal of building a people-centric sports movement across its 57 members.