HSH Prince Albert II and IOC Vice-President Nawal El Moutawakel Open Olympians Reunion

World Olympians Association (WOA) is pleased to announce that WOA Patron, HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, International Olympic Committee (IOC) Vice-President, Nawal El Moutawakel and EY Global Chairman and CEO, Mark Weinberger will launch the Olympians Reunion Centre by EY (ORC) in Rio de Janeiro ahead of the start of the Olympic Games. The three will join WOA President and four-time Olympian, Joël Bouzou in declaring the venue open at a special gala on 4 August.

Co-hosted by the WOA and EY, the ORC is the destination hub for Olympians of all ages to gather in the heart of the Olympic action in Rio. The opening gala, which takes place the day before the Rio 2016 Opening Ceremony, will bring together prominent and influential Olympians and other high-ranking guests from across the Olympic Movement to celebrate the launch of the ORC and help usher in a fortnight of thrilling Olympic sporting action.

Morocco’s Nawal El Moutawakel, who won Gold in the hurdles at the Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Games and more recently chaired the Rio 2016 Coordination Commission, will speak on behalf of the International Olympic Committee at the event. Olympian, IOC member and WOA Patron HSH Prince Albert II, who competed in bobsleigh at five consecutive Winter Olympic Games, will welcome Olympians from around the world to the venue. Speeches will also be made by Joël Bouzou and Mark Weinberger before the venue is officially declared open.

HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, said:

"It will be a great pleasure to officially open the Olympians Reunion Centre by EY at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. I am looking forward to gathering with my friends and colleagues from the Olympic Family at this fantastic venue and celebrating the role Olympians play as ambassadors of the Olympic values."

IOC Vice-President, Nawal El Moutawakel, said:

"I am delighted to be invited to help open the Olympians Reunion Centre by EY in Rio amongst such esteemed company. The ORC is an important venue for all Olympians during the Games, particularly those, like me, who are no longer competing. It will allow Olympians of all ages, sports and nations to gather, socialise and recognise the important role Olympians play within the Olympic Movement as the athletes at the heart of sport."

WOA President, Joël Bouzou, said:

"We are truly honoured to have our Patron, HSH Prince Albert II, and inspirational Olympian, Nawal El Moutawakel, help us launch the Olympians Reunion centre by EY in Rio on 4 August. As we count down the days till we welcome Olympians from all over the world to the ORC in the remarkable Olympic city of Rio, we are grateful for the support of our presenting partner EY and we look forward to an amazing opening party and an incredible Olympic Games."

EY Global Chairman and CEO, Mark Weinberger, said:

"As proud partners of the Olympians Reunion Centre in Rio we are looking forward to opening its doors to Olympians from around the world. The Olympic Games are an opportunity to build a better and more peaceful world through sport and the connections that unite us as a global community. Joining forces with the World Olympians Association to host the Olympians Reunion Centre – which is all about celebrating the legacy of Olympians and forging connections between them – represents the perfect opportunity to help us achieve those aims."

For more information, please contact:

Amelia Fisher-Starzynski - VERO Communications

Email: afisher-starzynski@verocom.co.uk

Tel: +44 (0) 7557 418 187

Rob Fawdon – VERO Communications

Email: rfawdon@verocom.co.uk

Tel: +44 7769 216649

Lizzie McWilliams – EY

Email: lizzie.mcwilliams@ey.com

Tel: 804 344 6144

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