Doha, Qatar; 16 November 2016:
World Olympians Association (WOA) President Joël Bouzou has called for greater collaboration between National Olympic Committees and National Olympians Associations, citing the strong relationship between the International Olympic committee (IOC) and WOA as an example of two organisations that are successfully working together in the best interests of Olympians.
Speaking at the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) General Assembly in Qatar on Wednesday, Mr Bouzou urged all NOCs present to consider ways in which to develop deeper, more meaningful relationships with their country’s National Olympians Associations (NOAs) in order to enhance the legacy of Olympians in society.
WOA is committed to the ongoing development of its 148 NOAs around the world, which provide vital support to Olympians at a national level as they transition to life after sport. Each NOA represents a great and often under utilised resource for NOCs, which could be better used to maintain the involvement of Olympians after they have finished competing. By encouraging a more coordinated approach, WOA believes both organisations can benefit while also providing greater support to Olympians and establishing a longer-term connection to those who have represented their countries at an Olympic Games.
Among the suggestions made to NOCs were to:
· Use NOAs to further enhance the impact of NOC activities and programmes such as the annual Olympic Day celebrations
· Maximise the lifetime value of Olympians by creating a pathway for Olympians to maintain involvement with the NOC after they have finished competing
· Involve NOAs in programmes supporting the development of sport in their country by using Olympians to help foster the next generation of athletes
WOA President Joël Bouzou said:
"The mission of the World Olympians Association is to be of service to Olympians on their journey through life, empowering them to serve society and help make the world a better place. This mission was developed in line with Olympic Agenda 2020 and signifies our close relationship with the IOC and the fundamental principles of the Olympic Charter.
"NOAs act as a crucial link between Olympians and their NOC, allowing NOCs to retain a meaningful connection with their Olympic alumni, while also empowering Olympians to remain involved with the Olympic Movement in the long term.
"We understand the investment that goes into training and supporting Olympic athletes at the elite level - it is this support that helps inspire the lasting loyalty of Olympians to their country. By working with their NOAs to build and strengthen a pathway for Olympians’ long-term involvement, NOCs can maximise that loyalty and gain a return on their investment, encouraging Olympians to give back to their community and fulfil their mission to serve society.
"I urge NOCs to work with their country’s NOA to help foster the next generation of Olympians, promote the Olympic values and help build a better and more cohesive society by harnessing the experience, knowledge, hard work and passion of Olympians who have retired as athletes but remain vital members of the Olympic community."
-Ends-
Notes to Editors
To engage with the WOA:
Website: olympians.org
Twitter: @WorldOlympians
Facebook: facebook.com/WorldOlympiansAssociation/
For further information:
Amelia Fisher-Starzynski, VERO Communications
Email: afisher-starzynski@verocom.co.uk
Mobile: +44 [0]7557 418 187
Recent Articles
Sinner-Alcaraz, the duel that came to succeed the three phenomenons
Beyond the final result, Roland Garros left the feeling that the Italian and the Spaniard will shape the great duel that came to help us through the duel for the end of the Federer-Nadal-Djokovic era.
Table tennis: Brazil’s Bruna Costa Alexandre will be Olympic and Paralympic in Paris 2024
She is the third in her sport and the seventh athlete to achieve it in the same edition; in Santiago 2023 she was the first athlete with disabilities to compete at the Pan American level and won a medal.
Rugby 7s: the best player of 2023 would only play the medal match in Paris
Argentinian Rodrigo Isgró received a five-game suspension for an indiscipline in the circuit’s decisive clash that would exclude him until the final or the bronze match; the Federation will seek to make the appeal successful.
Rhonex Kipruto, owner of the world record for the 10000 meters on the road, was suspended for six years
The Kenyan received the maximum sanction for irregularities in his biological passport and the Court considered that he was part of a system of “deliberate and sophisticated doping” to improve his performance. He will lose his record and the bronze medal at the Doha World Cup.
Katie Ledecky spoke about doping Chinese swimmers: “It’s difficult to go to Paris knowing that we’re going to compete with some of these athletes”
The American, a seven-time Olympic champion, referred to the case of the 23 positive controls before the Tokyo Games that were announced a few weeks ago and shook the swimming world. “I think our faith in some of the systems is at an all-time low,” he said.
