International Olympic Committee

          The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is the governmental body of the Olympics.  The IOC offices are located in Lausanne, Switzerland.  In seven years advance, the IOC chooses what country shall host the Summer and Winter Olympics.  The IOC also selects the sports and events that are included in the games.

          Host cities supply a special housing complex called the Olympic Village for the athletes and coaches.  The hosts must prove that they can supply a good community with healthy food and transportation.

          At first, members of the IOC were voted for life.  Nevertheless, according to a rule change in 1995 all members must retire before they reach the age of 81.  Present members of the IOC choose new members.  There are 129 current members, 25 honorary members, and 5 honor members.  Juan Antonio Samaranch is the Honorary President for life.    There is no set of laws requiring the size of the IOC or what countries should be represented in the Olympic games.

The official IOC web page is http://www.olympic.org