IOC shuts down 12 Olympic committees in switch to smaller expert advisory groups

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Friday that it is shutting down 12 of its permanent committees. The decision eliminates bodies that previously focused on issues such as human rights and gender equality.

In place of the dissolved committees, the IOC will establish smaller expert panels on an as-needed basis. The restructuring and cost-cutting measure streamlines the organization's operations, leaving a total of 19 committees still in place.