Statues of International Children's Games
ICG Executive-Committee delagation visits the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland
in October 2003, from left to rifgt Wolfgang Glenz, Treasurer; Stefan Jug, Vice-President;
Torsten Rasch, President; Jozsef Takacs, Member; Richard Smith, Secretary General.
(Picture provided by Richard Smith).
Art. 1 The International Children's Games are an alliance of cities organizations and individuals who pursue the common goal of forming nation-linking friendship through the exercising of sports and the arranging of sports competitions.
Goals
Art. 2 The goal of the International Children's Games is to enable, develop and advance the meeting, understanding and friendship of students from different countries, and to advance the Olympic idea. In this sense, sports competitions are arranged for students. The International Children's Games pursue their goals in a non-political, non-denominational and non-racist way.
Headquarters
Art. 3 The headquarters of the International Children's Games is in Lausanne. The headquarters of the Executive-Committee, is the respective place of residence of the president, or that of the secretary.
Membership
Art. 4 Members of the International Children's Games are:
a.) All cities that have organized the International Children's Games can become members.
b.) Individuals, organizations or cities who recognize the goals of the International Children's Games and those who have signed the Certificate. Only members of a) have the right to vote.
Art. 5 Members have the responsibility to support the goals of the International Children's Games to the best of their abilities. They have all the rights ensuing from these statutes.
Art. 6 The admission of new members can only be undertaken by the General Assembly.
Art. 7 Individuals who have made a special contribution to the International Children's Games, can be admitted as honorary president or honorary members by the General Assembly.
Art. 8 Membership can be terminated by:
a) Withdrawal by written explanation,
b) Expulsion by 2/3 majority of the majority of the General Assembly. This is only possible if 2/3 of the membership are present. Members can be expelled if they are in contradiction to the rules of the International Children's Games.
Structure
Art. 9 The Executive Body of the International Children's Games are:
a) The General Assembly,
b) The Committee,
c) The Executive-Committee,
d) Local, National and Regional Committees.
General Assembly
Art. 10 The General Assembly is the highest excuting body of the International Children's Games. It concerns itself with the following:
a) The decision concerning questions on principles,
b) The authorization for an assignment catalogue,
c) The affirmation of the Committees progress reports,
d) The admission and termination of membership,
e) The selection of the Committee, Executive-Committee and two Auditors,
f) The decision concerning finances,
g) The decisions concerning changes to statutes and regulations.
Art. 11 The General Assebmly meets every two years. This must be announced six months in advance. An extraordinary session of the General Assembly, can take place at request of 1/3 of the members, or by decision of the Committee. For the extraordinary meeting, the 6 months notification period is not necessary.
Art. 12 All resolutions made by the General Assembly, are only valid if at least one-half of the membership is present.
a) All decisions will be made by the simple majority, with the exception of those cases for which a special regulation can be found in the statutes.
b) Each memember (see Art. 4a) has one vote. This right to vote can only be exercised by representative with written authorization. Each voting individual has only 1 vote.
Committee
Art. 13 The Committee is the executing body of the International Children's Games. Its concerns itself with the following:
a) The preparation for the General Assembly,
b) The execution of resolutions by the General Assembly,
c) The set-up and up-keep of contacts to the associations,
d) The selection of the cities which will host the International Children's Games, and coordination of the dates of events,
e) The supervision of the preparations for the International Children's Games,
f) The control of adherence to sport rules during the execution of International Children's Games,
g) The resolutions concerning cost participation at the International Children's Games,
h) The cultivation of contact among the members,
i) The convening of an extraordinary General Assembly in case of resignation of the president.
Art. 14 The committee consists of a maximum of 19 members. For a period of four years, the following will be elected from the General Assembly, the president, two Vice-Presidents, the Treasurer, the Secretary General, 2 members and up to 12 members.
The election occurs respectively in the year after the Olympic Summer Games.
Art. 15 A candidate is elected if he receives more than one-half of the submitted votes. Re-election is possible.
Art. 16 No city or organization can be represented by more than two members on the Committee.
Art. 17 The Committee meets at least once a year. The meeting must be announced 3 months in advance. The call for a meeting must be initiated by the president or on request by the least nine memebers. The invitation and agenda must in principal be delivered one month in advance of the meeting.
Art. 18 The Committee constitutes a quorum when at least ten members are present. All decisions are reached by a simple majority. In case of a tie the president's vote is the deciding factor.
Art. 19 The concerns of the current administration, and urgent decisions between Committee meeting will be handled by the Executive-Committee.
Art. 20 The Executive-Committee consists of the president, two vice-president, the treasurer, the secretary who have signatory power, and two members.
Art. 21 The president is responsible for the overall leadership of the International Children's Games. His specific duties are in particular:
a) The summoning and administration of the General Assembly, the Committee and that of the Executive-Committee,
b) Observance of contacts between Committee memebrs,
c) Signing of all documents which signify an obligation on the part of the International Children's Games,
d) The provision of a business report for presentation to the General Assembly.
In the absence of the president, the office will presided by one of the vice-presidents.
Art. 22 The vice-presidents are responsible for the adherence to sport's rules, and therefore keep in contact with the respective organizing cities of the International Children's Games; in addition, they look after the expansion and propagation of the organization of International Children's Games, and concern themselves with the establisment and the work of regional, national and local committees. In the absence of the president, the office will be represented by the vice-presidents with the same rights and responsibilities, according to Art. 21.
Art. 23 The Treasurer is responsible for the finances. His responsibilities are in particular:
a) Suggestions and efforts for the procurement of currency for the payment of the administration of the Committee and the Executive-Committee,
b) Keeping of accounts and books for the International Children's Games,
c) Investment of assets of the International Children's Games,
d) Payment of invoices with the consent of the president,
e) Drawing up of a household plan,
f) Provision of a financial report to the General Assembly.
Art. 24 The Secretary is responsible for the administration of the International Children's Games. His responsibilities are in particular the handling of written correspondence and the setting up of meeting's protocol and announcements. The costs for the secretariat should be reimbursed by the International Children's Games.
Art. 25 The memebers of the Committee and the Office, are honorary positions. Personal expenses which arise out of such duties, shall be reimbursed.
The membership ends through:
a) Resignation for personal reasons,
b) Exclusion for violating rules of the International Children's Games or,
c) When a member does not attend 3 consecutive meetings without giving reasons for being excused.
Art. 26 Executive Committee meetings can be attended by Committee members, but without voting right, provided they have been invited.
Art. 27 The decisions made by the Executive Committee must be confirmed by the Committee at their next meeting.
Auditors
Art. 28 The two auditors cannot be members of the Committee. Before each General Assembly (with the exception of an extraordinary Assembly), they must audit the accounts and books of the International Children's Games and give a report to the Assembly.
Committees
Art. 29
a) The Regional Committee is made up of the president and secretary of the National Committee and Committee members of the International Children's Games from the particular region. From this group, one president, one vice-president, one secretary and one treasurer will be elected for a period of 4 years. The regional Committee can be established when the particular region has established at least 2 National Committees.
b) The National Committee is made up of the mayors and one council member of the cities which have already organized the International Children's Games, and Committee members of the International Children's Games from the particular country. From this body, one president and one secretary will be elected for a period of 4 years. The National Committee can be established when at least one city in the country has hosted and organized the International Children's Games.
c) The Local Committee will in principle be chaired by the mayor, or by a city council member named by him. This Committee consists of all Committee members of the International Children's Games and organizational representatives of public bodies and sports associations who promote sports for youth, approximately 5 - 7 persons, for period of 4 years. Every city which has organized the games or participated in them establishes a Local Committee.
Art. 30 The Regional, National and Local Committees can set-up their own statutes, however, they cannot contradict these statutes.
Art. 31 The meetings of the Regional, National and Local Committees are chaired by their elected presidents. The meetings of the Regional Committees should be conducted in the presence of the President of the International Children's Games, or his representative. The meetings of the National Committee, as well as their agendas, should be provided to the International Children's Games Commitee 1 month in advance.
Art. 32 All meetings of the Regional, National and Local Committees can be convened by the president, or by one-third of the members which make up the Committee, or by those responsible in the Committee of the International Children's Games.
The Games
Art. 33 The International Children's Games are those in which a minimum of five cities from three different countries participate.
Art. 34 The International Children's Games can be carried out as either Summer or Winter games. At Summer games, Track and Field sports are obligatory. On the programm of the games, a minimum of two sports should always be listed.
Art. 35 All games must be approved by the Committee. Valid are the tehnical regulations of the International Children's Games and the rules of the respective international sports association.
Art. 36 The participating students must have a minimum age of 12 years, and maximum age of 15 years.
Art. 37 The organizers of the International Children's Games have sufficient time and opportunity to cultivate contact in respective programmers.
Art. 38 Each of the International Children's Games participating cities must pay a participation fee of 250 € to the International Children's Games Committee, at no cost to the ICGC. The Organizing Committee of the host city is responsible for the collecting of the participation fee upon registration of the cities and passes it on the ICGC in one payment, at no cost to the ICGC. The bank draft with the total sum must be transferred to the account of the International Children's Games no later than 4 weeks after the Games, at no cost to the International Children's Games.
The previous organizer must be invited.
Symbols and Languages
Art. 39 The symbols of the International Children's Games are:
a) The flag which shows five Athletes in a row on five waves in the colors of blue, yellow, black, green and red,
b) The anthem by Beethoven/Schiller "Ode to Joy",
c) Medals of gold, silver and bronze,
d) The seal of the Games.
Art. 40 The official languages of the Games are French, German and English.
Dissolution
Art. 41 In case of dissolution of the International Children's Games, the entire assets will be turned over to an international organization in aid of youth.
Transitional Regulation
Art. 42 With these new amendments the statutes approved in Sparta on June 12,1997 become invalid.
Resolved by the General Assembly in Bratislava on October 5, 2001.
The Winners in the games in Szombathely 2001. (Picture provided by Richard Smith).
Organization Regulations 01. Participants
1.1 Must be students (male of female) under the age of 16 (age limit effective as of 31. 12. in the year of the Children's Games), but older than 12 years (age limit effective as 01. 01. in the year of the Children's Games).
02. Children's Games
2.1 Can be summer or winter games. In the summer track and field, and in the winter, cross-country skiing are obligatory.
2.2 The International Children's Games unite participants from at least five cities from a minimum of three countries. Two types of sports must be held.
03. Spirit of the Children's Games
The pedagogical point of view is of great segnificance, which means:
- Fair play is top priority,
- Qualifying competitions should be avoided if possible (each student should have several opportunities to compete),
- Records are not aimed for.
4.1 At the International Children's Games, only those types of sports recognized by the Olympic Committee should be offered.
4.2 However, regional types of sports can also be suggested (for example, orientation run, beach-volleyball, etc.).
4.3 Boxing, full-contact, motor-sports, as well as descent and Super-G are prohibited. All futher suggestions are individually examined by the Committee of the International Children's Games.
05. Specific Regulations
5.1 When no particular reference is given, the organizers should refer international regulations for the particular sport.
5.2 The Committe of the International Children's Games will delegate one adviser within the framework of each event.
5.3 The organizers take responsibility for comprehensive medical care for the participants.
5.4 a) Track and Field: Each athlete can start in three disciplines, including relay. IMPORTANT: If the athletic competitions only last one day, each athlete can only start in two disciplines, including relay. A minimum of six athletes (male/female) from one city must be permitted to participate in the competitions.
b) Each participant may compete in three disciplines, including Relay.
5.5 The course of events of the Children's Games are supervised by a jury, headed by a member of the Committee of the International Children's Games.
06. Applications to host the Games
6.1 Should be directed to the Committee of the International Children's Games office a minimum of two years before the start of the Games.
6.2 Should correspond with the official ICG bid form.
6.3 The Committee will examine the applications and will make a decision 15 months before the start of the International Children's Games.
07. Invitation
7.1 Will be announced by the city that organizes the International Children's Game, in due time, a year before the start of the games.
7.2 The invitation must contain the following explanations:
- Name of the city,
- The complete announcement of the games,
- Planned types of sports,
- Participation numbers,
- Probable fees.
8.1 The organizers present to the winners (1st, 2nd and 3rd), a medal (gold, silver, bronze).
){kind=link}
8.2 A recognition certificate,, with a dedication from the IOC President, will be prepared for all participants.
){kind=link}
8.3 Committee members should be included in the award ceremony.
09. Openning and Closing of the Children's Games
The International Children's Games must be opened and closed by all participating teams together in a dignified form and setting. The teams must line up under the flag of their city. The common ceremony is left up to the organizing city, but has to contain the following elements:
9.1 Opening of the Games
- Handing over of the flag by the city which carried out the previous Games,
- Jointly hoisting of the flag,
- Lighting of the Olympic flame,
- Playing of the hymn of the International Children's Games,
- Oath of one athlete and referee in their native tongue and one of the official languages of the International Children's Games,
- Address by the organizers,
- Opening of the Children's Games by the President of the International Games Committe or his representative.
- Closing address of the organizers,
- Lowering of the flag which will remain in the possession of the oragnizing city until the next Children's Games,
- Extinguishing of the Olympic flame,
- Playing of the hymn of the International Children's Games,
- Presentation of recognition certificates and closing remarks of the President of the International Children's Games Committee or his representative.
The mayor (or his representative) of the city which last hosted the Games, arrives with the flag which is carried by three male and three female athlets of his city, to the pole where the flag is raised, and presents the flag in the presence of the President of the International Children's Games Committee, to the mayor (or his representative) of the city where the next games are being. The flag will likewise be received by three male and female athlets of the organizing city and raised.
The lowering of the flag will be conducted with the participation of the mayor (or his representative) of the organizing city, and the President of the Committee of the International Children's Games.
9.4 The flag will be lowered and given to the mayor (or his representative) of the organizing city. The flag remains in the city where the Games were held until the next Children's Games.
9.5 The city which last held the Games must be invited to the next Games and will bring the flag with them.
10. Various
10.1 In the case of matters which have not been designated in these regulations, the decision will rest with the Committee of the International Children's Games.
10.2 The Committee of the International Children's Games will be at the disposal of the organizers of the Children's Games in all questions pertaining to organization, execution and preparation.
10.3 The organizers enable the representatives of the Committee of the International Children's Games, to visit their city prior to the Games, to view the arenas of competition and final clarification in respect to organization and athletic matters.
10.4 The oranizers must introduce, on a maximum of 6 pages, their Children's Games in text and picture in the "golden book" of the International Children's Games. Accordingly, the following obligation data must be entered:
- The cities that have participated in the games and,
- The numbers of active athletes,
- The sports offered.
Resolved by the General Assembly in Coventry, England on July 7, 2005.