ISSF President Luciano Rossi has hailed a new partnership with the European Olympic Committees (EOC) EU Office that will provide access to a skilled team offering guidance on all EU matters.
The ISSF, which has been welcomed by EOC President and International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Spyros Capralos as the 35th partner of the EOC European Union Office, will now be able to draw upon expertise in a range of areas including funding opportunities, sports governance and EU legislation related to sports.
“We are delighted to form this exciting new partnership with the European Olympic Committees EU Office,” said Rossi.
“We share common goals with the EU Office, and working with them will enrich and strengthen our operation as we move towards the Paris 2024 Games.”
EOC EU Office Director Folker Hellmund commented: “ISSF is already an active umbrella organisation at EU level and has successfully worked with the EOC EU Office on EU legislative files.
“The official partnership with the EOC EU Office will strengthen its positioning towards EU institutions, while also enhancing connections with other sport organisations which encounter similar issues.”
President Capralos said: “The ISSF is the 35th partner of the EOC EU Office.
"We are happy to welcome the umbrella organisation of this traditional Olympic sport, deeply anchored in the field of grassroots sports all over Europe.
"Partnering with sport shooting will be very beneficial for the EOC EU Office team which will widen its field of expertise, further benefitting other partner National Olympic Committees and federations.”
The ISSF is formally recognised by the IOC as the sole controlling body in the Olympic Movement, administering shooting sport at world level and encompassing its member organisations.
The ISSF specifically supports a sport that is free from manipulation and doping and recognises international and national anti-doping rules.
It promotes and guides the development of the shooting sport, without discrimination of any kind.
The ISSF is also committed to an environmentally friendly and sustainable development of its sport.
The EOC is the umbrella body for Europe’s 50 National Olympic Committees and works to spread the Olympic values and inspiring sport and healthy lifestyles across Europe.
Through its EU Office the organisation works to protect Europe’s leading role at the heart of global sport, and has built strong connections with European federations, government agencies and within the EU itself.