WOA joins GAISF as Associate Member

10 | 4 | 2017

World Olympians Association (WOA) is pleased to announce that it has been granted the status of Associate Member of the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF), following the approval of its application by the GAISF General Assembly in Aarhus, Denmark today. The announcement is the formalisation of the long-term good relationship between the two organisations.

WOA joins 17 other associate member organisations, and 92 full member federations, who work collectively towards driving positive change in sport and addressing the challenges that are jeopardizing the industry today.

GAISF, the umbrella body for international Olympic and non-Olympic sporting federations and sport-related international associations that are closely aligned with those federations, is dedicated to promoting sport and multi-sports games while connecting members around the world to engage on issues such as governance and integrity, anti-doping and social responsibility.

WOA is proud to be an active member of the Olympic Movement and welcomes the opportunity to work more closely with GAISF and its member International Federations. By formalising the natural relationship with International Federations, WOA hopes to encourage closer working relations between WOA and IF Athletes’ Commissions, National Olympians Associations and National Federation Athletes’ Commissions, helping Olympians and elite international athletes on life transition programmes after their competitive career ends.

WOA will also collaborate with IFs on projects involving Olympians and elite athletes that benefit local communities, and help enhance understanding of how Olympians can be better supported by their sporting body in both their athletic and post-athletic careers. The new relationship will also see WOA work alongside IFs in creating better relationships at a national level with NFs and NOAs.

As an Associate Member, WOA will play an active role in the initiatives of GAISF that promote the values of the Olympic Movement, encourage Olympians and international athletes to give back to their sport and society and that can benefit Olympians and international athletes at all stages of their lives.

Patrick Baumann, President of GAISF, said:

“We are delighted to welcome World Olympians Association, the representative body for Olympians worldwide, as an Associate Member of GAISF. WOA brings with it a wealth of knowledge on how we can better support our international athletes and Olympians at all stages of their lives and involve them in their sports and the work of their International Federations well beyond their competing days and we look forward to working closely with WOA in the future.”

Joël Bouzou, President of World Olympians Association, said:

“WOA is thrilled to be legitimising this existing partnership with GAISF, where we will continue to contribute to the collective expertise and best practice approach to sport governance, particularly when it relates to the welfare and support of athletes and Olympians. We would like to thank the GAISF General Assembly for conferring on us this honour and we look forward to actively participating in the future activities of GAISF.”