WOA Awarded Place on IOC Commission for Sport and Active Society

4 | 6 | 2015

The WOA’s work on behalf of Olympians and its ongoing promotion of Olympism around the world has been rewarded with a place on the IOC’s newly renamed Sport and Active Society Commission. The appointment is part of widespread changes to the composition and function of the IOC commissions announced by IOC President Thomas Bach on Monday as a direct result of the implementation of Olympic Agenda 2020.

WOA President, Joël Bouzou, will represent the WOA on the Sport and Active Society Commission [formerly known as the Sport for All Commission] which has been tasked with strengthening Olympism in Action and youth strategy. The Commission reflects the responsibility of the IOC and the Olympic Movement to encourage people to take part and get active in sport.  

The WOA is perfectly placed to play an integral role in the function of the commission. Drawing on its core mission to serve the needs of Olympians everywhere and to mobilise Olympians to make the world a better place through the daily practice of Olympism, the WOA has a wealth of experience promoting the benefits of sport for all.

WOA President, Joël Bouzou, said:

“I am extremely honoured to be able to represent the WOA on the Sport and Active Society Commission and I look forward to joining the other members of the commission to build on the excellent work already carried out.

“Since retiring as an athlete I have made it my duty to promote the ideals of Olympism and to persuade my fellow Olympians to use their influence as role models to encourage participation, friendship and fair play and I will continue to do so through the WOA’s membership on this commission.

“The WOA has proven through programmes such as World Fit, which was set up by Olympians in the USA and is due to be rolled out internationally to tackle childhood obesity by encouraging an active lifestyle, that it deserves a place amongst the key influencers in the Olympic Movement and we look forward to continuing our close relationship with the IOC.”

Other initiatives made possible through WOA Grants, which played a part in the IOC’s decision to appoint the WOA to the Sport and Active Society Commission include offering financial aid to NOAs to run programmes and events such as Olympic Day activities, as well as longer-term projects that benefit local communities such as a youth swimming programme in Peru, a Portuguese-speaking youth games hosted by Angola, children’s activity projects in Singapore and the purchasing of sports equipment in Tajikistan.

The review of the scope and composition of the IOC commissions was one of the 40 recommendations approved by the 127th IOC Session last December in Monaco. According to the IOC, the new make-up of the Commissions reflects the philosophy initiated by Olympic Agenda 2020, and will provide a strong support to the IOC Session, the IOC Executive Board and the IOC President in the implementation of the roadmap designed to shape the future of the Olympic Movement.

Despite the shake up, WOA Patron H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco maintained his position as chair of the Sustainability and Legacy Commission [formerly Sport and Environment] and as a member of Public Affairs and Social Development through Sport Commission [formerly International Relations].

For more information about the changes and the composition of the new commissions please visit the IOC website.