In a spirit of renewed collaboration and shared vision, the International Military Sports Council (CISM) and the International Orienteering Federation (IOF) officially signed a new Memorandum of Understanding today, October 27, at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland.
The signing ceremony took place on the opening day of the International Federation (IF) Forum 2025, which gathers global sports leaders from 27 to 29 October under the theme of innovation and cooperation in sport.
The agreement was signed by Colonel Nilton Gomes Rolim Filho, CISM President, and Mr. Tom Hollowell, President of the IOF, reaffirming a longstanding friendship between the two organizations and setting the foundations for a new chapter of cooperation aimed at strengthening orienteering within the military community.
Through this renewed partnership, CISM and the IOF expressed their joint determination to develop orienteering across all CISM member nations, promoting not only athletic excellence but also the values of discipline, precision, and adaptability that are at the heart of both military and orienteering traditions. The collaboration will focus on expanding training opportunities, technical exchange, and the organization of international events to foster participation among soldiers and young military athletes worldwide.
The signing of the MoU means that Orienteering will be part of the upcoming Military World Games, to be held in Charlotte, USA in 2027.
Here, as something new, the IOF will appoint a Senior Event Advisor who will advise the local organizers and together ensure a high quality level for the competitions.
Tom Hollowell, President of the IOF and Colonel Nilton Gomes Rolim Filho, CISM President sign the new MoU in Lausanne
Speaking after the signing, CISM President Colonel Nilton Gomes Rolim Filho emphasized the strategic importance of the partnership:
“Orienteering perfectly embodies the essence of military sport — combining physical endurance, strategic thinking, and decision-making under pressure. This renewed cooperation with IOF will allow us to bring new energy and visibility to a discipline that truly reflects our motto: Friendship through Sport.”
IOF President Tom Hollowell echoed this enthusiasm, underlining the mutual benefits of the collaboration.
“We are very happy to renew our partnership with CISM strengthened by education and the common objective of developing orienteering globally. Cooperation with Military Orienteering has historically been a valuable resource for the IOF and our member organizations and we see a great opportunity for further growth and development together with CISM and their members. The cooperation provides additional opportunities for orienteering athletes to develop in high performance environments and to show the unifying nature of the orienteering community.”
This new MoU marks a significant step toward enhancing the development of Orienteering within CISM and reinforces the commitment of both organizations to using sport as a tool for peace, education, and global understanding.