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IOC President Thomas Bach to take part in inaugural World Olympians Forum

1 | 9 | 2015

IOC President Thomas Bach will head a list of senior executives and opinion formers in the Olympic Movement, leading figures from the Russian sports world and legendary Olympians who will take part in the inaugural World Olympians Forum [WOF] in MoscowRussia from 20 – 22 October 2015.

The 2015 WOF, established by the World Olympians Association in partnership with the Russian Olympic Committee, will create an exciting opportunity to celebrate Olympism and the achievements of Olympians worldwide.

The WOF will bring together all 143 National Olympians Associations, Olympians, representatives of the International Olympic Committee and the Olympic Family, Governments and other key Olympic, sporting and non-governmental stakeholders to share best practices and discuss the topics of greatest interest to Olympians.

The topics relevant to the WOA mission of Service to Olympians and Service to Society will be debated and discussed through a range of platforms including keynote speeches, working seminars and networking sessions.

IOC President, Thomas Bach, said:

“Olympians are at the heart of the Olympic Movement.  Thirty-eight members of the International Olympic Committee have competed in the Olympic Games, twenty-eight of those are medallists.

Olympic Agenda 2020 made engaging with Olympians one of the top priorities and this very first World Olympians Forum is just one of the results. "It is a chance for all Olympians, young and old, Summer and Winter athletes and from all around the world to contribute more effectively to our future.  I look forward to seeing this Forum making a great contribution to the whole Olympic Movement.”

WOA President, Joël Bouzou, said:

“We are delighted that President Bach will be joining us for World Olympians Forum. The historic event will be a fantastic opportunity to bring together all National Olympians Associations and key figures from the Olympic Family to promote the core values of Olympism and to discuss the most important matters faced by Olympians.

“We’re looking forward to working in partnership with the IOC, the Russian NOC and the Russian Ministry of Sport. I’m confident that the first ever WOF will be a wonderful celebration of Olympism that will help address key issues faced by Olympians across the world.”

Alexander Zhukov, President of Russian Olympic Committee, said:

“The World Olympians Forum is a wonderful opportunity to bring together high profile influencers from the Olympic family and the Russian sports movement to debate issues of importance to Olympians and the important role of sport in society.

“We are delighted to be hosting the inaugural WOF and to be welcoming the IOC and the Olympic Movement back to Russia following the huge success of Sochi 2014. We are looking forward to working with the WOA to provide a platform for in depth discussion on the most important issues facing Olympians around the world.

Forty-eight NOAs have already registered to attend the inaugural Forum and General Assembly. To book your NOA's place, NOA Presidents must complete this online form which asks for details of the lead representative from the NOA.  The lead representative must have the full authority of their NOA to vote at the General Assembly and must be an Olympian. All registrations will be verified before attendance can be confirmed by the WOA.

The deadline for registration is 6 September 2015.

The WOA will cover the expenses of the lead representative to attend the Forum and General Assembly including economy class travel costs. An additional representative is welcome to attend at their own expense or the expense of the NOA.

Please contact info@thewoa.org with any questions.