ɪt wʌz fˈaʊndᵻd æz ɐ kˌɑːntɪnˈɛntəl ɡˈʌvɚnɪŋ bˈɑːdi ˌɔn fˈɛbɹuːˌɛɹi θˈɜːtiːn, nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd sˈɛvənti sˈɪks ɪnðə hɛdkwˈɔːɹɾɚz ʌvðə mˈɛksɪkən əlˈɪmpɪk kəmˈɪɾi ɪn mˈɛksɪkˌoʊ sˈɪɾi.
It was founded as a continental governing body on February 13, 1976 in the headquarters of the Mexican Olympic Committee in Mexico City.