Gilbert Felli, International Olympic Committee (IOC) Sports Director, and his assistant Kit McConnell both addressed the recent meeting of the International Parachuting Commission held in the Olympic Capital, Lausanne. Praising the contribution of parachuting to the 2001 World Games in Akita, they outlined what the IOC was looking for when selecting new sports for the Olympic programme, and gave details of the key dates. The final decision on the programme for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing will be taken before the end of 2002.

Key FAI and IPC officials will visit Beijing soon for discussions with leading members of the Beijing Olympic Games Organising Committeee. A promotional tape and brochure are in production explaining the attractions of skydiving to the general public.