Lausanne, Switzerland; 11 November 2017
World Olympians Association (WOA) has today unveiled its landmark OLY post-nominal letters initiative at the 2017 International Olympic Committee (IOC) International Athletes’ Forum, held in Lausanne.
Presenting his OLY certificate to IOC President Thomas Bach – the first Olympian to officially receive the initials - WOA President Joël Bouzou invited all Olympians around the world to sign-up to use "OLY" after their names in a similar fashion to other post-nominal designations like PhD.
Serving as a symbolic recognition of an Olympian’s status in society, the OLY lettering will help to promote an Olympian’s social, charitable, and community-based work, acting as a unifying reminder of their achievements and of their responsibility to embody the values of Olympism in every day life.
The initiative, launched by WOA and supported by the IOC Athletes’ Commission, will allow Olympians to use the OLY lettering on any official documentation. All applicants will receive a WOA certificate honouring their achievements. The OLY lettering offers Olympians:
• A professional tool, showing off the highly transferable skills of being an Olympian and competing at the highest level
• A symbol of their dedication, concentration and commitment to sport and success
• A link to the global network of Olympians
At the opening of the IOC International Athletes’ Forum, WOA President Joël Bouzou was joined by IOC president Thomas Bach and IOC Athletes’ Commission Chair Angela Ruggiero in launching the initiative, which is available to any athlete who has competed in a Summer or Winter Olympic Games and who continues to uphold the values and practices enshrined in the Olympic Charter and the WOA Code of Conduct.
Discussing the initiative, WOA President, Joël Bouzou, said:
"By participating at an Olympic Games, Olympians have achieved something unique and for that, they must be recognised. They are trulyleaders and role models in society and as ambassadors of the Olympic Movement.
"That is why the OLY initiative is so important. Much like a doctor, a lawyer or a university professor, becoming an Olympian takes many years of hard work and requires a diverse range of skills. I believe this initiative will provide Olympians with the professional recognition they deserve."
All Olympians can apply for the OLY post-nominal lettering at www.olympians.org.
About World Olympians Association
WOA is the member organisation for the more than 120,000 Olympians worldwide. Our remit is to work for the benefit of all Olympians at all stages of their lives, empowering them to serve society and help make the world a better place. With 149 member National Olympians Associations (NOAs) spread across all five continents, WOA provides support to Olympian-run events and projects based on the Olympic ideals laid down by the founder of the modern Olympics, Pierre de Coubertin.
For more information
Amelia Fisher-Starzynski
VERO Communications
Afisher-starzynski@verocom.co.uk
+44 207 812 6589 / +44 7557 418 187
Connect with World Olympians Association
Website: www.olympians.org
Twitter: @worldolympians
Facebook: www.facebook.com/WorldOlympiansAssociation/
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