Archery champions honoured with OLY

20 | 6 | 2019

Over 150 Olympians from 30 countries have been honoured with OLY post-nominal titles at a special ceremony held at the 2019 World Archery Championships in 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands.

Olympians past and present were invited to attend the World Championships to receive this special recognition. They were presented with their OLY certificate and exclusive OLY pin by fellow Olympian and IOC President Thomas Bach OLY on the final day of the tournament.

Among those in attendance were Rio 2016 Olympic Champion Chang Hye Jin, Barcelona 1992 Olympic Champion Sebastien Flute, and Olympian and reigning Paralympic Champion Zahra Nemati.

All Olympians who received the honour can now use OLY after their name on official documentation, in much the same way as a PhD, other post-nominal designations and honorary titles.

“It gives me great pleasure to see so many Olympians honoured at the World Archery Championships in the Netherlands,” said WOA President, Joël Bouzou OLY.

“Alongside their exceptional sporting achievements, it is pleasing to know that so many of the athletes are also dedicated to spreading the Olympic ideals throughout their careers, embodying the values of Olympism in everyday life both on and off the field of play. OLY recognises and celebrates this commitment. I would like to thank IOC President Thomas Bach OLY and World Archery President Ugur Erdener for their support of this initiative.”

Four-time Olympian Naomi Folkard OLY added: “Representing my country at the Olympic Games was one of the highlights of my career and one that I look back on with great pride. Knowing that I can now use my status as an Olympian to help create a better world through sport is hugely important to me and something that I cherish, and I am deeply honoured to have received the OLY title from IOC President Bach and WOA at the World Archery Champs today. ”

 World Olympians Association launched the OLY post-nominal letters initiative in November 2017. Since that time more than 10,000 Olympians worldwide have been granted the honour, which serves as a constant public reminder and recognition of an Olympian’s achievements in the field of sport, as well as a symbolic recognition of their status in society and their commitment to furthering the Olympic ideals.

The OLY title is available to any athlete that has competed at an Olympic Summer or Winter Olympic Games. Other high-profile Olympians to take up the honour include Allyson Felix (Athletics, USA), Lord Sebastian Coe (Athletics, GBR), Sir Mo Farah (Athletics, GBR), Dame Kelly Holmes (Athletics, GBR), Tony Estanguet (Canoe Slalom, FRA), Natalie Cook (Volleyball, AUS), Ashton Eaton (Athletics, USA), Dawn Fraser MBE (Swimming, AUS), Ato Bolden (Athletics, TTO).