World Olympians Association - 5 Rings of Development
Olympic athletes are the greatest ambassadors of goodwill in the world of sports. They are the heroes of the Olympic Movement and therefore the most effective messengers of Olympism for people everywhere, especially the youth of today.Dick Fosbury - President, World Olympians Association
The challenge facing the WOA is to mobilize the Olympians of the world, to motivate them to inspire others with the glory of Olympic sport, and to bring them together in activities that keep the spirit and promise of Olympism alive and vibrant in the communities where they live.
1968 Olympic Gold medalist
Once an Olympian Always an Olympian, Never Former, Never Past
The World Olympians Association (WOA) was established under the aegis of IOC President Samaranch in 1995 to unite Olympians and promote Olympism by bringing the Olympians of the world together and encouraging their involvement in public service.
The WOA currently consists of 130 National Olympians Associations of which the Olympians in that country are members.
Over 100,000 athletes have become Olympians since the inception of the Modern Games in 1896. The great majority of living Olympians are no longer competing. They nonetheless retain the title of Olympian.
The WOA is a non-profit organization that operates exclusively for charitable and educational purposes, in harmony with the fundamental principles set forth in the Olympic Charter of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
The WOA is a part of the Olympic Family. It promotes the interests of Olympians and serves their needs. The WOA is the official worldwide organization recognized by the IOC that represents the interests of the Olympic athletes, in cooperation with and in support of the major pillars of the Olympic Movement, including (1) the International Olympic Committee, which administers the Olympic Games and defines the nature and role of Olympians in society, (2) the National Olympic Committees affiliated with the IOC, which coordinate supporting activities at the national level and Liaises with the IOC, and (3) the International Federations for sports on the program of the Olympic Games and Olympic Winter Games, which assist in the selection of competitors and the administration of competition.