The International Olympic Committee is founded at the Sorbonne in Paris, at the initiative of Baron Pierre de Coubertin.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) was founded on June 23, 1894, in Paris, France, following the efforts of French educator Baron Pierre de Coubertin, who aimed to revive the ancient Olympic Games. The founding congress at the Sorbonne brought together delegates from various countries and resulted in the establishment of the IOC as the governing body for the modern Olympic Games. The first modern Olympics under the IOC’s direction were held in Athens, Greece, in 1896, marking a symbolic return to the birthplace of the ancient games. The IOC was initially composed of 15 members and gradually evolved into a global institution responsible for overseeing both the Summer and Winter Games, promoting the Olympic values of excellence, friendship, and respect.

Over the 20th century, the IOC faced and adapted to a wide range of global challenges—including wars, political boycotts, doping scandals, and increasing commercial influence. During the Cold War, for example, the Olympics often became a battleground for ideological rivalry, seen in the U.S.-led boycott of the 1980 Moscow Games and the Soviet-led boycott of the 1984 Los Angeles Games. Under the long presidency of Juan Antonio Samaranch (1980–2001), the IOC modernized, embraced professionalism, and negotiated lucrative broadcasting rights, turning the Olympics into a global spectacle. Today, based in Lausanne, Switzerland, the IOC remains a powerful force in international sports, managing everything from host city selection to global athlete advocacy and sustainability efforts.