Over 3000 Olympians register for OLY letters

16 | 11 | 2017

World Olympians Association’s new OLY initiative has seen 3000 Olympians register.

The 3000-strong group includes Olympians from all over the world representing both summer and winter Olympic sports including Ato Bolden OLY (Athletics, TRI), Ronald Rossi OLY (Luge, USA), IOC Member Nicole Hoevertsz OLY (Synchronised Swimming, ARU), Konstantin Schad OLY (Snowboard Cross, GER), Dame Kelly Holmes OLY (Athletics, GBR), and Hanae Ito OLY (Swimming, JPN).

The initiative, which was launched on Saturday November 11 at the 8^th IOC International Athletes Forum in Lausanne, Switzerland, saw IOC President Thomas Bach OLY become the first-ever Olympian to receive the OLY letters. 

The initiative allows Olympians to use the OLY post-nominal letters. OLY can be used on official documentation, CVs, business cards, social media. In fact anywhere an Olympian would use their name, in the same way a university graduate may use PhD.

Serving as a symbolic recognition of an Olympian’s status in society, OLY promotes an Olympian’s social, charitable, and community-based work, acting as a reminder of their achievements and of their responsibility to embody the values of Olympism in everyday life.

OLY also helps connect the global Olympian community. Romanian Weightlifter Dragomir Cioroslan OLY, ‎who is the Director of International Strategies and Development at USOC, believes that the OLY post-nominal letters “positively impact the lives of tens of thousands of Olympians in every corner of the planet”.

WOA President, Joël Bouzou OLY, added:

“We have been overwhelmed by the fantastic response we have had so far for the OLY initiative. We have received many emails from Olympians thanking us for providing this service. Olympians are proud of their achievements, and rightly so. It is important that they now have this opportunity to demonstrate their journey as an Olympian and the immense dedication involved. OLY will also help Olympians in the work they do in society as they live the Olympic ideals.

“The skills required to become an Olympian are the same as those which are needed to become an excellent professional in any career. OLY will better highlight those skills and will help Olympians to find jobs after their sports career is over.”

Olympians can sign up for OLY here.