About the World Olympians
The World Olympians Association unites Olympians from around the world regardless of their age, sport, nationality or other definitive measure and involves them in the promotion of the values and virtues that make the Olympic Movement. Our activities include the dissemination of Olympic ideals, the promotion of fair play, advance environmental protection, educate against doping – drug use, supply educational resources, work against violence and intolerance, support diversity and equality, contribute to sport related charities, host special hospitality centres, involve Olympians in social support, display positive role models, advance sport management and promote culture of which sport is a part of.
Olympians are WOA members through their local National Olympians Associations. IOC President, Juan Antonio Samaranch created the World Olympians Association following the Centennial Olympic Congress, Congress of Unity, held in Paris in 1994. Formally, the WOA was established during a meeting held in the Olympic Museum on 21st November 1995 by 25 founder members.
WOA Vision and Objectives
To leverage the global network of 80,000 Olympians and create an entity that benefits the Olympians, the Olympic ovement as well as our general society. Olympians could be effectively mobilized in the fight against drugs, discrimination, violence as well as for spreading positive messages of fair play, protection of the environment, etc.
To achieve its mission and further its purposes, consistent with the aims of the organization and the IOC, the objectives of the WOA are set forth below:
- To encourage contact between Olympians, in support of Olympism and the Olympic Movement, as set forth in the Olympic Charter.
- To educate Olympians to become good ambassadors of the Olympic Movement
- To promote the establishment of National Olympians Associations.
- To foster cooperation between National Olympians Associations, in furtherance of the objectives of the WOA
- To support and represent the interests of Olympians and contribute to the enhancement of their quality of life.
- To motivate Olympians towards active leadership in their respective local communities and countries of residence.
- To support the participation of Olympians in activities where they can serve as role models who embody the Olympic ideals.
- To implement development programs as appropriate.
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Executive Committee
Founder H.E. Juan Antonio Samaranch
Patron H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco
Honorary PresidentJacques Rogge IOC President
PresidentJoël Bouzou, FRA
Vice PresidentsAmadou Dia Ba, SEN
George Andreadis, GRE
Secretary GeneralAnthony Ledgard Grimm, PER
TreasurerPatrick Singleton, BER
Executive Committee membersListon Bochette, PUR
Cor van Aanholt, AHO
Alper Kasapoglu, TUR
Dick Fosbury, USA
IOC LiaisonChristophe Dubi, IOC Sports Director
IOC Athletes LiaisonPeter Tallberg, FIN
Past Officers 2008-2011
PatronJuan Antonio Samaranch IOC Honorary President for Life
Honorary PresidentJacques Rogge IOC President
PresidentRichard Fosbury, USA
Vice PresidentsCharmaine Crooks, CAN
Stefka Kostadinova, BUL
Secretary GeneralAnthony Ledgard Grimm, PER
TreasurerJoël Bouzou (served 07-08)
Executive Committee membersGeorge Andreadis, GRE
Amadou Dia Ba, SEN
Daichi Suzuki, JPN
Kieren Perkins (served 07-08)
IOC LiaisonChristophe Dubi, IOC Sports Director
IOC Athletes LiaisonPeter Tallberg, FIN
Past Officers 2004-2007
PatronJuan Antonio Samaranch IOC Honorary President for Life
Honorary PresidentJacques Rogge IOC President
PresidentPal Schmitt (HUN)
Vice PresidentsElizabeth Ferris (GBR)
William A. Toomey (USA)
Secretary GeneralListon Bochette (PUR)
TreasurerJoël Bouzou (FRA)
Executive Committee membersCharmaine Crooks (CAN)
Amadou Dia Ba (SEN)
Daichi Suzuki, JPN
IOC LiaisonChristophe Dubi,, IOC Sports Director, 2007
Kelly Fairweather, IOC Sports Director 2004-2007
IOC Athletes LiaisonPeter Tallberg (FIN) 2006-2007
Bob Ctvrtlik (USA) 2003-2006
Past Officers 2000 - 2003
Patron from 2001, before Honorary PresidentJuan Antonio Samaranch IOC Honorary President for Life
Honorary President from 2001:Jacques Rogge IOC President
PresidentPal Schmitt (HUN)
Vice PresidentsElizabeth Ferris (GBR)
William A. Toomey (USA)
Secretary General Liston Bochette (PUR)
Executive Committee membersIrena Szewinska (POL)
Amadou Dia Ba (SEN)
Herb Elliott (AUS)
IOC LiaisonGilbert Felli, IOC Sports Director
IOC Athletes LiaisonBob Ctvrtlik (USA)
Charmaine Crooks (CAN)
Past Officers 1995 - 1999
Honorary PresidentJuan Antonio Samaranch IOC
PresidentPeter Montgomery (AUS)
Vice Presidents Dr Elizabeth Ferris (GBR)
Irena Szewinska (POL)
Secretary GeneralWilliam A. Toomey (USA)
Executive Committee membersUrs Fankhauser (SUI)
Reiner Klimke (GER)
Philippe Riboud (FRA)
IOC LiaisonGilbert Felli, IOC Sports Director