Pernilla Wiberg OLY Alpine Skiing | Sweden
President

Sports Career

Pernilla Wiberg is a Swedish former Alpine Ski racer, who competed on the World Cup circuit between 1990 and 2002. Pernilla has won two Olympic gold medals, four World Championships and one World Cup overall title; she is one of the most successful alpine ski racers of her generation. 

Sports Administration

Pernilla has served on the WOA Executive Committee since 2011. In 2020, the WOA board appointed her as Vice President. On 18 January 2026, she was elected as the new WOA President at the general assembly. She is the fifth WOA president and the first woman to serve in this position.

She has held several international sports governance positions, including member of the IOC Athletes’ and Ethics Commissions, Chair of the FIS Athletes’ Commission, and leader of the FIS Working Group for Alpine Technical Equipment. She also served on the board of the Swedish National Olympians Association, including as president, and is a Peace and Sport Champion for Peace.

Since 2003, she has worked as a TV commentator and founded the Pernilla Wiberg Hotel and ski area in Sweden. She is a two-time recipient of the Swedish King’s Medal, a Fair Play Menarini Award laureate, and has been honoured with the Olympic Order in Silver for her contributions to the Olympic Movement.

What Motivates You?

“I like the idea of giving back to sport that has given me so much. WOA is a perfect organisation for that. More than 100,000 living Olympians fall under the umbrella of WOA. That is a big number and with that comes a big responsibility, which I am ready to take on. To inspire, to lead by example and to think globally, and act locally!”

Olumide Oyedeji OLY Basketball | Nigeria
Secretary General

Sports Career

Olumide Oyedeji OLY is a celebrated Nigerian basketball icon who has competed at the highest level of the sport on four continents. He was the first African player ever drafted into the NBA from outside the United States in 2000 and enjoyed a global professional career, playing in the NBA, the EuroLeague, Asia and Latin America and winning championships in more than ten countries.

During his 20-year tenure with the Nigerian national team, he competed in nine AfroBasket tournaments, five All Africa Games and the FIBA World Championship and Commonwealth Games. He also captained Team Nigeria for a decade, including at the historic London 2012 Olympic Games — the nation's first Olympic basketball appearance. 

Sports Administration

Olumide has become a prominent leader in international sports administration, directing programmes that elevate athletes and strengthen communities. Since establishing the Olumide Oyedeji Youth Foundation in 2000, he has empowered over 45,000 young people across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas through education, mentorship and sports development.

He is the President and CEO of the Hoops & Read Basketball Club, and holds influential roles as a Laureus Global Ambassador, NBA Africa Ambassador, Basketball Africa League (BAL) Ambassador, Vice President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee and President of the Nigeria Olympians Association.

Most recently, he was elected Secretary General of the World Olympians Association.

His work reflects his deep commitment to athlete welfare, leadership development and growing sport in West Africa and around the world.

Wei-Tsu (Thomas) Tang OLY Alpine Skiing | Chinese Taipei
Treasurer

Sports Career

Thomas Tang, a two-time Winter Olympian, represented Chinese Taipei at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Canada, and the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France. He competed in alpine skiing disciplines, including slalom, giant slalom and super-G.

He also competed in World Championships and World Cup competitions, proving that athletes from smaller winter sports nations have the resilience, determination and competitive spirit needed to perform at the highest level.  

Sports Administration

He serves as a member of the World Olympians Association (WOA) Executive Committee and as its Treasurer, helping to guide the strategic direction and global impact of the Olympic movement.

He is also a board member of the Chinese Taipei National Olympians Association, where he actively supports initiatives to engage and develop athletes.

As Secretary General of the Guinea-Bissau Winter Sports Federation, he played a pivotal role in introducing and developing winter sports in a non-traditional nation. This led to his appointment as Chef de Mission for Guinea-Bissau at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Under his leadership, Guinea-Bissau made its historic first appearance at the Winter Olympics, marking a significant milestone for the country and the Olympic movement as a whole.

Furthermore, he has served as a delegate to a subcommittee within the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), thereby strengthening his contributions to the governance and policy development of international sport. 

What Motivates You?

What motivates me is the belief that the Olympic journey carries a responsibility far beyond competition. As an Olympian, I experienced firsthand how sport can shape character, bridge cultures, and inspire hope. Today, that same belief drives my professional career and my commitment to serving the global Olympian community through leadership. I am motivated by the opportunity to give back, to support fellow Olympians in their transition beyond sport, to strengthen our collective voice, and to expand the reach of Olympism into new regions of the world. Helping bring Guinea-Bissau to its first Winter Olympic participation reinforce my belief that the Olympic Movement must be inclusive, forward-looking, and accessible to all nations, regardless of size or history. Through my role with the World Olympians Association, I am driven to build meaningful connections, empower athletes as leaders, and ensure that the values of excellence, friendship, and respect continue to create lasting an impact in society.

Rosa Rakotozafy OLY Athletics | Madagascar
Vice-President and Board Member

Sports Career

Rosa Rakotozafy OLY is a former Malagasy Olympic athlete who specialised in the 100 metres hurdles. A two-time African champion, she represented Madagascar at the 2000 Sydney and 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

Her successful sporting career demonstrates her long-term commitment to sport, young people, and Olympic values.

Sports Administration

She currently serves as the Vicepresident and Female African Representative of the World Olympians Association (WOA) and as President of the Regional Anti-Doping Organisation for the Indian Ocean (ORADO-IO).

Previously, she served as Vice-Chair for Africa and Chair of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for Physical Education and Sport (CIGEPS), where she contributed to the development of strategies on ethics, inclusion, gender equality, and the role of sport in sustainable development.

 In Madagascar, she has held several senior sports administration positions, including: Director General of Sports; Director of High-Performance Sport; Chair of the Board of the National Sports Academy; and Senior Official at the Ministry of Youth and Sports. She also served as Executive Director of the Organising Committee of the Indian Ocean Island Games – Madagascar 2023.

Recognised for her expertise in sports governance, integrity, gender equality and international cooperation, she works to strengthen the leadership of African Olympians. She also works as a consultant on public relations, international relations and social impact projects aimed at improving the lives of rural communities.

Igor Boraska OLY Rowing & Bobsleigh | Croatia
Vice President and Board Member

Sports Career

Igor become the first athlete from Croatia to compete in both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games. Starting his Olympic career in Rowing, Igor first represented his nation at Atlanta 1996 before winning a Bronze Medal as a member of the men's eight at Sydney 2000. He then went on to qualify for Salt Lake City 2002 in the 4-man bobsled. Igor’s last Games were Athens 2004. Over the course of his successful career, Igor competed for the Croatian National Rowing Team from 1992 to 2008 and for the Croatian National Bobsleigh Team from 2000 to 2002. Igor was also part of a Croatian pair that won the first gold medal at the World Championships in any sport for the recently independent Croatia, at Indianapolis 1994.

Sports Administration

Following his sporting career, Igor oversaw sport and education for the City of Split in Croatia before being elected as a Council Member, serving two terms from 2009-2017. He also held the role of Vice-President and Executive Board member of the Croatian Olympians Association and President of the Split Sports Association between 2002 and 2016. He is currently President of the Croatian Skate Federation and President of the Croatian Olympic Committee's International Relations Commission.

Igor joined the WOA Executive Committee in 2020. Now he serves as Vice President and European Representative for the WOA.

What Motivates You?

“Being an Olympian means you have the power to positively influence society and help people, especially the younger generation, achieve their dreams. I am motivated to encourage Olympians to make a difference in this world. I believe WOA's projects and grants schemes can be a powerful tool to help communities worldwide and I will work with NOAs to help make their ideas a success.”

Andrew Owusu OLY Athletics | Ghana
Board Member

Sports Career

Andrew is a three-time Olympian who represented Ghana in the long jump and triple jump at the 1996 Atlanta, 2000 Sydney and 2004 Athens Olympic Games. He is also a Commonwealth Games silver medallist, multiple-time African and All-Africa Games champion, two-time World Championships finalist in the triple jump, and an African Championships record holder.

After retiring from competition, he transitioned into academia, becoming a university professor, while remaining closely connected to sport through coaching and athlete development. He has served as a coach for the Ghana national athletics team across multiple Olympic cycles, as well as at World and African Championships.

Sports Administration

He is the President of the Ghana Olympians Association and currently serves as the African male representative on the World Olympians Association Executive Committee. As a member of the WOA Executive Committee, he has over three decades' experience advocating for athlete welfare and dual-career preparation.

He played a leading role in setting up and formalising the first Athletes' Commission within a national sports federation in Ghana, ensuring that athlete representation was embedded in the federation's constitution. He continues to advocate for meaningful athlete representation within sports governing bodies.

What Motivates You?

‘My motivation stems from a commitment to collaborative work in service of the many Olympians represented by African National Olympians Associations (NOAs) and the World Olympians Association (WOA), by supporting their well-being, keeping them connected to the broader Olympic Movement, and enabling them to contribute meaningfully to their communities.’  

Claire Carver-Dias OLY Artistic Swimming | Canada
Board Member

Sports Career

Claire won medals in Artistic Swimming at the 2000 Olympic Games, 1999 Pan American Games, 2001 World Championship and 2002 Commonwealth Games. She earned over thirty medals at the world cup level over the course of her years on the Canadian National Team

Sports Administration

Claire’s professional life has straddled the worlds of sport, business, and academia. After obtaining a PhD in English and Communications and an MBA, Claire began her communications career at the Canadian Olympic Committee, supporting the Athlete Services and Communications departments. In 2003, she launched Clearday, her own communications consultancy, helping corporate leaders and their teams to develop effective communication techniques and processes. Since 2007, she has run communication and presentation skills group coaching sessions for Olympians and Paralympians.

She has served as a director on the board of the Coaching Association of Canada and as president of both AthletesCAN and OLY Canada. She is currently President of Commonwealth Sport Canada and served as Chef de Mission for Team Canada at the 2018 and 2022 Commonwealth Games. She is also Regional Vice President (Americas) for Commonwealth Sport.

She holds a Directors Education Program certification in governance from the Institute of Corporate Directors. She is set to serve as Athlete Liaison Officer for Team Canada at the 2026 Olympic Games.

What Motivates You?

”I remain dedicated to sport because I believe in the power of athletes to lead, inspire, and spread Olympic values across the Americas. I am motivated to support athletes in using their distinct voices and platforms to promote excellence, respect, inclusion, and unity. Through good governance and leadership development, I work to empower athletes to create positive impact within their communities and strengthen the Olympic Movement beyond competition.”

Willie Banks OLY Athletics| United States
Board Member

Sports Career

Willie Banks OLY is an American Olympian who competed in the triple jump at the 1984 Los Angeles and 1988 Seoul Olympic Games. A dynamic competitor, he captained the U.S. Olympic team in 1988 and held the world record for the triple jump for ten years, from 1985 to 1995. He is widely recognised for transforming the spectator experience by introducing rhythmic hand clapping during field events.

Sports Administration

Willie was recently elected as the Americas Representative to the leadership of the World Olympians Association. He brings decades of governance experience to the role, having previously served on the WOA Executive Committee and as President of the US Olympians Association.

He is currently a Council Member for World Athletics and chaired the Working Group responsible for the World Plan for Athletics 2022–2030. He has an extensive background in major event management, including serving as Director of Athlete Services for the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games and as Deputy Venue Executive Director for the 1994 FIFA World Cup.

He is the president of HSJ, Incorporated, a sports management and consulting firm. He was inducted into the USATF Hall of Fame in 1999 and received the Jesse Owens Award in 1985. He holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

Akiko Thomson-Guevara OLY Swimming | Phillipines
Board Member

Sports Career

Akiko is a 3 times Olympian competing for the Philippines at the 1988 Seoul, 1992 Barcelona and 1996 Atlanta Games in swimming. She was only 13 years old at her first Games. Akiko went back as an official at the 2000 Sydney Games and then a volunteer at the 2004 Athens Games making it a truly full Olympic experience.

Sports Administration

Akiko was a founder of the Philippine Olympians Association in 2002 and served on the board before assuming Presidency in and until 2016-2024. She has also worked in the media as a presenter, and as Commissioner of the Philippine Sports Commission (2008-1016). Akiko currently serves as the Chairperson of Special Olympics Pilipinas.

Akiko holds an MBA, is a graduate of the MEMOS IX Sports Management program, and has a Postgraduate on Olympic Studies from the International Olympic Academy. She is most proud of her Olympians for Life award received at the Paris 2024 Games.

What Motivates You?

The desire to make a difference with all that has been entrusted, wherever I am placed. What a powerful and beautiful organization we serve and are all part of!

Deepak Bista OLY Taekwondo | Nepal
Board Member

Sports Career

Deepak Bista OLY, is the most accomplished taekwondo athlete in Nepal’s sporting history. During his two-decade-long career, Bista competed in more than two dozen international tournaments and remained undefeated in the South Asian region.

He won four consecutive gold medals at the South Asian Games and two consecutive bronze medals at the Asian Games, firmly establishing Nepal as a regional power in taekwondo. He proudly represented Nepal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, where he had the honor of serving as Nepal’s flag bearer at the Opening Ceremony. He holds a 6th Dan Black Belt certified by World Taekwondo.

Sports Administration

Following his competitive career, Deepak dedicated ten years as the national team coach of the Nepal Taekwondo Team. He currently serves as the Director of National Team Preparation at the National Sports Council of Nepal, playing a key leadership role in the country’s high-performance sport and athlete development programs.

He also served for eight years as President of the Nepal National and International Players Association and four years as Chair of the Athletes’ Commission at the Nepal Olympic Committee, advocating strongly for athletes’ welfare and representation.

His outstanding contribution to sport has been recognized with four national honors from the Government of Nepal, awarded by both the President and the former King of Nepal. He was also named “Player of the Year” three times by the Nepal Sports Journalists Forum.

What Motivates You?

 I strongly believe that sport is a powerful force for creating positive social impact.

As Olympians, we have proven to the world that any ordinary person, with the right guidance, dedication, and hard work, can reach the pinnacle of success. Through the values of Olympism, we have the responsibility and the opportunity to inspire and motivate people, especially the younger generation, to believe in their dreams and contribute positively to society.

Julia Bell OLY Rowing | Australia
Board Member

Sports Career

Julia is a two-time Australian Olympic rower who switched from competitive cycling to rowing in 1998. Two years later, she represented Australia at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games on home soil. In 2001, she achieved a career highlight by winning two World Championship titles in the women’s four and women’s eight categories.She was selected again for the women’s eight at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, after which she retired from elite sport to pursue a career in business.

Sports Administration

Since retiring from rowing, Julia has pursued a career in consulting, business transformation, and operations across France and Australia.

She has maintained a strong connection to elite sport and the Olympic movement, serving as a State Lead and National Co-Chair of the Australian Olympians Association.

Julia is deeply passionate about building engagement, strengthening connections, and supporting the Olympic community. In 2024, she was a member of the Australian Olympic Services Team, supporting athletes to perform at their best during the Paris Olympic Games.

She is also a Minerva mentor, supporting elite female athletes in their professional development, and a member of the Minerva Sports Governance Committee, which advocates for greater female representation on sporting boards.

What Motivates You?

“High performance and the power of the Olympic Games have always motivated me. Having competed as an Olympian and rower, I believe deeply in the strength of teamwork and shared purpose, and in the responsibility Olympians have to positively influence society. The Olympic Games are one of the rare moments when the world truly comes together in a sense of global unity, and I see the World Olympians Association as a powerful platform to inspire the next generation, connect Olympians worldwide, and support communities to achieve their best through the values of Olympism.”

Carl Probert OLY Swimming | Fiji
Board Member

Sports Career

Carl is a five-time Olympian in Swimming, who competed for Fiji at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona all the way through to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. He is one of Fiji's most decorated athletes.

Sports Administration

Carl joined the WOA Executive Committee in 2016 as a representative of Oceania. In addition to his role on the global stage, Carl is actively involved with his NOC as the athlete representative on the Executive Board of the Fiji Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee (FASANOC). Additionally, he was elected in 2011 by his peers as the athlete representative on the Pacific Games Council.

What Motivates You?

“I am honoured to represent my country and region on the WOA Executive Committee. The Olympic Games hold a special place in society and Olympians have a responsibility, as leaders and role models, to spread the Olympic ideals through sport and help bring communities closer together.”

Stavroula Kozompoli OLY Waterpolo | Greece
Board Member

Sports Career

Stavroula (Voula) Kozompoli, OLY, is a two-time Olympian in Water Polo, having competed in the 2004 Athens and 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. She won a silver Olympic medal in 2004 and played for the Greek national women's Water Polo team for 15 consecutive years (1994–2008). She competed in five World Championships, seven European Championships, three World Cups and four World Leagues. She is widely regarded as one of the best centre forwards in women's Water Polo of her generation. 

Sports Administration

Since 2019, she has been President of the Hellenic Olympians Association, and an EXCO Member of the Hellenic Olympic Committee (2021–2024 and 2025–2028). She is also the Chair of the Athletes Committee of the Hellenic Olympic Committee (2021–2024 and 2025–2028).

She was awarded the International Olympic Committee 'Women and Sport' trophy for Europe in 2015, and has been a member of the IOC 'Revenues and Commercial Partnerships' Commission since 2015. She was also a member of the FINA Athletes Commission from 2017 until 2022.

She is also the Technical Water Polo Committee (TWPC) Hon. Secretary of the World Aquatics Federation (2021–2024 and 2025–2029), a member of the European Aquatics 'Delegates and Referees Committee' (DRC) (2024–2028), and an Ambassador for Peace of the 'International Olympic Truce Centre' World Organization.

What Motivates You?

Our journey as Olympians does not end when competition does. It continues in how we inspire, support, and uplift others. I strongly feel the need to give back to society to ensure that every Olympian, everywhere in the world, is heard, valued, and supported. By standing together and acting as role models we, Olympians can strengthen our global Olympian family and open new pathways of opportunity for future generations and build a better world in all aspects.