Better Late than Never! May 26th: World Aquatics, CAS, & IOC

 Today was the most information-dense day we've had on the trip. We had the opportunity to speak with three different organizations across five different meetings. Our day started by meeting with World Aquatics, the federation in charge of a variety of aquatic sports. They helped provide us a lot of context about the European mentality of sport and how it differs from the United States, in terms of the importance of entertainment versus the purity of the sport. Their insight was very unique, and helped shift my perspective on what is important for federations and sport organizations to focus on.

We then headed to the Court of Arbitration of Sport, learning about how they make critical decisions that impact the landscape of the sport world. I'd heard of CAS before, but I loved learning about their decision making process for different types of cases. The legal side of sports isn't something I know much about, so understanding how it operates and how these decisions are made was super cool for me.

 

Sunday May 25th 2025-A mix of exploring and learning

 Today was one of those days that reminded me why this trip is so special—filled with inspiration, good food, and even better company. We’re now in Lausanne, Switzerland, and this beautiful lakeside city has such a peaceful energy, even with a packed itinerary. The highlight of the day was hands down our visit to the Olympic Museum, which completely blew me away.

Walking through the museum was like stepping into the heart of Olympic history. From ancient origins to modern-day events, it was all beautifully curated and immersive. But my favorite part by far was the exhibit on Opening Ceremony costumes. I was absolutely mesmerized by how the outfits reflected the culture, creativity, and symbolism of each nation.

One of the displays that stopped me in my tracks was a pair of Christian Louboutin sandals that had been worn by Cuban athletes during the 2016 Rio Opening Ceremony. Seeing a designer piece like that used in a sporting context was such a cool crossover—it felt like my two worlds of fashion and sports collided in the best way. I couldn’t get over the detail and boldness of the design. It was such a powerful reminder that fashion isn’t just about looks—it’s about identity, performance, and pride.

After we wrapped up at the museum (and took a million photos in front of the Olympic rings, of course), we headed over to a local grocery store to prep for a group picnic. Honestly, the process of shopping together was part of the fun. We picked up a random but perfect assortment of food—hot dogs, buns, corn, chips, cheese, and some sweet snacks for later. Everyone grabbed a few items and helped carry bags down to our picnic spot, which overlooked the lake and mountains.

We spent the afternoon grilling and relaxing. The hot dogs were simple but hit the spot, and the corn turned out surprisingly great on the grill. It felt so wholesome to just sit in a circle on the grass, listening to music, laughing, and enjoying the view. After several busy days of running around cities and sightseeing, the slower pace was really refreshing.

Once we finished up, we took a walk back home, still buzzing from the good vibes. The weather was perfect—just warm enough with a soft breeze. The whole day felt like summer in the best way.

Later that evening, a group of us grabbed dinner at Holy Cow, a local burger place not far from our hotel. I had heard great things about it, and it definitely lived up to the hype.

Switzerland is already proving to be such a hidden gem on this journey. I feel so lucky to experience these small but meaningful moments—and I already know today will be one I look back on with a full heart.

5/25 - Olympic Museum/Lake Geneva Picnic

Sunday in Lausanne was a much-needed restful day. After a day of hiking and sightseeing, and a busy day of meetings and presentations on Friday, we visited the Olympic Museum and had a picnic by Lake Geneva. In the museum, exhibits highlighted the rich history of the Olympics, encompassing both the modern and ancient games. The first part of the museum detailed the rich history of the ancient Olympic Games, held annually in Olympia, Greece. The Ancient Olympic Games were held 293 times from 776 BC to 393 BC. These games were referred to as Panhellenic games, as "pan" means "all," indicating that they were held for all of Greece. In the 1890s, the Modern Olympics were created by Pierre de Coubertin, a French aristocrat. This was the next exhibit featured in the museum. The first Modern Olympic Games were held in Athens in 1896, but the idea of the games was conceived much earlier.

In 1888, Coubertin created a committee dedicated to reviving the Olympic Games. Coubertin was a firm believer in the idea that sport can be a driver for world peace; he organized these worldwide games to promote the positive impacts that sport can have, such as promoting peace, education, and physical fitness. Coubertin also created the motto of the Olympics, “Citius, Altius, Fortius,” which translates to “Faster, Higher, Stronger” in English. After showcasing where the Olympics started, the Museum then highlighted how far the Olympics have gone. The games did not begin as the global spectacle we see every two years. The museum displays the torch from every Olympics, allowing you to see the journey of each one. For example, you watch a video of the 2014 Sochi torch traveling all over the country as it took an unprecedented journey into outer space. The goal of the torch is to spread the Olympic movement and showcase the unique message the upcoming Olympic games will promote. I loved our experience at the Olympic Museum. I am a huge fan of sports history, and in my opinion, there is no better place to see the rich history of sport than at the Olympic Museum. You can see the significant impact of the games on the world, and so they have evolved into one of the largest events globally. There is so much that goes into the Olympics, and the rules are no exception.

After exploring the museum, we discussed Olympic Rule 40, Olympic Solidarity, and doping regulations, which have all generated controversy over the years. Rule 40 discusses player sponsorship regulations, stating that athletes are not allowed to showcase non-Olympic partner sponsorships during the games. In the United States, we are accustomed to seeing sponsorship thrust into our faces by players, but this rule prevents that; it prevents over-commercialization and showcases the games for what they truly are. These rules are tied to the Olympic Solidarity movement. Olympic Solidarity ensures that all 206 National Olympic Committees receive the necessary funds and programming. There have been disagreements in the past about whether these rules should remain in place, primarily due to larger NOCs, which have the most to gain from sponsorships. Smaller NOCs require these rules and programs to remain in place and operate effectively.

We then took a trip to Lake Geneva to have a picnic, with cooking supplies we bought at a nearby supermarket. The group enjoyed hot dogs prepared by Heavenly and sat by the lake, and relaxed. It was one of the best moments of the trip.