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Chaired by IOC President Jacques Rogge, the meeting of the 126 IOC members will address important issues of the day: in particular, a study of the sports on the programme of the Olympic Games (a full review has not been undertaken since 1948) and a study of how the cost and complexity of hosting the Olympic Games can be reduced to ensure that future Games are organised efficiently, provide the best possible conditions for the athletes and could take place in all corners of the globe.

The Session will also review the reforms adopted by the IOC in December 1999 to improve the IOC's structure, policies and procedures. In addition, the IOC will study the findings of an audit of the IOC administration, which is based in Lausanne, Switzerland.

"We have some important issues to discuss and vote upon," explained President Rogge. "After 21 years of remarkable expansion, the time has come for us to move from a period of continued growth to one of consolidation where we focus on our core business, the hosting of Olympic Games. The Olympics are the pinnacle of the world's sports events, bringing together top class athletes from around the world to compete, celebrate humanity and share Olympic values. By the hosting and staging of the Olympic Games, the IOC is also able to generate the finances to support sport throughout the world."

"At our Session meeting next week, there are a number of items on the agenda which will require important decisions for the future. These decisions will enable the IOC to consolidate our heritage, pursue excellence in our activities and focus our efforts on the Olympic Games."

The 114th IOC Session will be preceded by a three-day meeting of the IOC Executive Board.

Also on the Agenda for discussion is the proposal from the Olympic Games Programme Commission to reduce medal events in some sports for the 2008 Olympic Games, which includes a proposal to reduce the events in the Olympic Sailing Regatta.

However, there is controversy over whether such a decision can be made to take effect from 2008, as a rule in the Olympic Charter states that no changes in the sports program can be made less than seven years before the games in question. The Beijing Olympics are six years away. Rogge has asked a group of lawyers to study the issue and determine whether the proposal for 2008 should go ahead. "We will not do something illegal, that's for sure." he said.

A vote on whether to drop the three sports from the Olympics could be postponed, and any decision might not apply until the 2012 Games rather than 2008.

Rogge suggested that the IOC could postpone a decision for further study, or vote in Mexico on the changes going into effect in 2012 rather than 2008.