1920’s : the origins

As early as 1921, under the direction of Paul ROUSSEAU, Secretary General of the “Union Cycliste Internationale”, a permanent bureau of the International Sports Federations was created. Dialogue with the Olympic authorities became easier, with regular IFs/IOC meetings taking place, however the organisations that did not have the opportunity of being part of the Olympic circle were excluded.

1960’s : the development of a real need

In the 1960's, Roger COULON, President of the “Fédération Internationale de Lutte Amateur”, expressed the need, brought by the rapid evolution of the sports movement, for a wider recognition of the IFs’ role. He and his friends wanted to see the IFs better control the evolution of international sport. For the non-Olympic Federations, a forum which would enable them to better express their points of view was necessary.
The creation of a stable organisation ensuring the permanence of relations between IFs, Olympic or not and regardless of their status, appeared, to an ever-growing number of officials, to be the logical continuation of the meetings which took place frequently but without rules or a fixed organisation. The common preparation of these meetings with the IOC could thus be better supported. It would also permit a constant liaison between the IFs and the outside world. In 1966 the time seemed appropriate and the convocation to the newly constituted Assembly was launched.

1967 : the formation

On 21-23 April 1967, delegates from the following 26 International Sports Federations met in Lausanne in the Hotel Continental: aeronautics, rowing, basketball, bobsleigh, boules, canoeing, cycling, equestrian, fencing, gymnastics, handball, hockey, ice hockey, judo, luge, wrestling, motorcycling, swimming, modern pentathlon, roller-skating, skiing, shooting, volleyball, weightlifting, university sport, and maccabi.
The delegates agreed on the necessity to establish a permanent liaison between the IFs, for the defence of their objectives and common goals, the preservation of their autonomy and constant exchange of information. The name “General Assembly of International Sports Federations” was adopted.
This name was replaced in 1976 by the “General Association of International Sports Federations” (GAISF). In 1978, the office moved from Lausanne to Monaco. GAISF represented the logical continuation of the past IFs meetings, dealing not only with Olympic matters but also with all questions of common interest for the IFs.

2000’s : the new era

In 2003, in collaboration with ASOIF and AIOWF, GAISF launched the first SportAccord Convention to answer a need from the IFs, which were looking to have a “one-stop-shop”, where they could all hold their annual meetings, be encouraged to network and share their knowledge.
In March 2009, GAISF was rebranded SportAccord at the meeting of the 7th International Sport Convention in Denver. In April 2009, it moved its main office from Monaco to Lausanne with new ambitions.