 The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced significant leadership changes within its Ethics Commission and compliance department, coming at a time when the organization has raised "serious issues" regarding the governance and finances of the World Olympians Association (WOA).
The IOC's Ethics Commission has appointed Patricia O’Brien as its interim chair, effective immediately. O’Brien, the Commission’s longest-serving independent member, steps into the role following the conclusion of former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s second and final term on June 24th. Ban Ki-moon has since been named an IOC Honorary Member.
In a separate but related development, the IOC also announced the appointment of Giuseppe Deleonardis as its new Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer (CECO), effective July 1st. Deleonardis, who joined the IOC in 2017 and has served as Deputy CECO since 2023, will now oversee efforts to uphold ethical standards, transparency, and accountability across the entire Olympic Movement. He succeeds Pâquerette Girard Zappelli, who was the IOC’s first CECO in 2015 and will remain Secretary of the Ethics Commission.
The name Girard Zappelli will be particularly familiar in Bermuda. As previously reported by IslandStats.com, Pâquerette Girard Zappelli sent a letter dated May 8th, 2025, addressed to all National Olympic Committees (NOC) Presidents and Secretaries General. This letter outlined "numerous serious issues" identified by the IOC regarding the WOA's governance and finances, detailed in an independent compliance and audit report conducted with the WOA's approval. Critically, the letter specifically named the WOA Treasurer, Bermudian Olympian Patrick Singleton, in connection with these concerns.
These new appointments signal the IOC's continued emphasis on upholding rigorous ethical and compliance standards within the Olympic family, particularly in light of the recently highlighted issues concerning the World Olympians Association.
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