Liechtenstein to Launch Country’s First NOA
31 | 1 | 2017
The European nation of Liechtenstein is to form its first ever National Olympians Association (NOA), after Liechtenstein Olympic Committee (LOC) Secretary General, Beat Wachter, joined forces with World Olympians Association (WOA) to bring together the country’s Olympians under one roof for the first time.
The event, which took place at the Liechtenstein National Museum, saw almost 50 Olympians join together to share knowledge and ideas on their approach to Olympism and how best to spread Olympic ideals, with those in attendance deciding unanimously to formally set up a National Olympians Association.
In attendance were all five Liechtenstein Olympic medallists, alpine skiers Hanni Weirather-Wenzel, Ursula Gregg-Konzett, Andy Wenzel and brothers Willi and Paul Frommelt.
The meeting took place with the full support of WOA, with WOA Executive Committee member and continental representative Pernilla Wiberg helping to guide the LOC on the necessary steps to shape the new Olympians Association. It comes as WOA looks to grow the number of NOAs around the world and promote closer working relationships between NOAs and NOCs as part of its updated strategic plan, which was unveiled earlier this month and can be viewed here. The addition of the Liechtenstein Olympians Association will bring the total number of NOAs worldwide to 149.
Beat Wachter, Liechtenstein Olympic Committee Secretary General, said:
“This is a great initiative, not just for Liechtenstein’s athletes but for the whole nation. This is a country that lives and breathes Olympic sport, particularly skiing, and we are immensely proud of all of our athletes.
“By setting up the country’s first ever NOA, Liechtenstein’s athletes can take a coordinated approach to passing on the message of Olympism, athletic lifestyle and friendship to the next generation, and hopefully we can develop more Olympians in the future.
“Over the coming weeks we will set up our NOA, and we are looking forward to working closely with the WOA to better serve the interests of our country’s Olympians.”
Joël Bouzou, WOA Executive Committee President, added:
“It’s great to see that Liechtenstein has chosen to set up an NOA, and we are looking forward to working closely with the country’s Olympians and the Liechtenstein Olympic Committee as they begin to take their first steps to developing this important new body to meet the needs of its passionate and dedicated athletes.
“The WOA is committed to working with NOC’s around the globe, as illustrated in our strategic plan, and we want to continue to support Olympians in spreading the Olympic message.”
Pernilla Wiberg, double Olympic champion and WOA Executive Committee member, added:
“I am very pleased to support Liechtenstein’s Olympians and the LOC to realise their ambition to establish the country’s first NOA. It was a great pleasure to be able to provide advice and outline the necessary steps on behalf of World Olympians Association.
“It is WOA’s aim to further develop its network of NOAs around the world so that Olympians everywhere can access additional support and services and feel empowered to pursue ways in which they can help give back to their communities. Here in Europe we are already seeing greater collaboration amongst NOAs as a result of WOA’s efforts.”
Photo credit : LOC
