The International Association for Sports and Leisure Facilities

the IAKS is a non-profit organization operating in the field of sports and leisure facilities. It was founded in Cologne, Germany in 1965.

The tasks and activities of the IAKS are:

• Creation of an international and interdisciplinary platform for the design, construction, equipping, modernization, financing and management of sports and leisure facilities
• Involvement in the drafting of standards and guidelines in Germany and Europe
• Issuing publications, e.g. our journal “sports facilities and swimming pools” (sb)
• Holding congresses, seminars, conferences and exhibitions
• Presentation of the IOC/IAKS AWARD, the international architecture award for exemplary sports and leisure facilities, and of the IPC/IAKS Distinction
• Advising clients, designers, operators and users of sports facilities, from the individual project through to Olympic bids
  

The IAKS is a partner and adviser to:

• Architects and engineers
• Companies from trade and industry and business associations
• Sports organizations (Olympic Committees, sports associations, sports clubs)
• Ministries of Sport, Education and Public Works
• Local authorities (sports, pools and parks departments)
• Universities, technical colleges, schools of engineering, colleges of physical education and sports institutes.

The IAKS contributes to the creation of functional, cost-effective and environment-friendly sports and leisure facilities and at the same time supports the citizen's right to demand-driven and functional sports facilities.

In its activities promoting sports facilities, the IAKS is an organization recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and cooperates with the following institutions:

• International Paralympic Committee (IPC)
• General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF)
• International Council for Sports Science and Physical Education (ICSSPE)
• International Union of Architects (UIA), Sports and Leisure Programme.

It cultivates contacts with numerous international sports associations and National Olympic Committees.