African Athletes meet at the Rio 2016 Olympians Reunion Centre by EY

14 | 8 | 2016

African Olympians visiting Rio de Janeiro for the Olympic Games gathered at the Olympians Reunion Centre by EY (ORC) for an informal gathering organised by the ANOCA Athletes’ Commission.

Both competing and non-competing Olympians from across the African continent came together to celebrate and share memories from their experiences taking part in the Games and meet with members of the Commission.

The ANOCA Athletes’ Commission, led by Senegalese silver medallist Amadou Dia Ba, aims to provide advice and support for African athletes and implement education programmes accessible to all elite athletes.

While at the ORC, members of the Commission including Dia Ba, four time Zimbabwean Olympian and double Olympic swimming champion Kirsty Coventry, Mali Olympic basketball star Kady Kanouté and Benjamin Boukpeti, Togolese canoe slalom bronze medallist took the opportunity to speak with WOA President Joël Bouzou, to confirm their support for the work of the World Olympians Association and advance the existing close ties between the two bodies.

Olympian Benjamin Boukpeti, said:

“We wanted to gather at the Olympians Reunion Centre here in Rio in order to support African Olympians competing at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and to introduce our athletes to the World Olympians Association so they would be aware of the services the WOA provides to athletes.

“The ORC was the perfect venue to do this. With its wonderful location, views and hospitality, Olympians can feel right at home here.”