WOA Announces Updated Strategic Plan 2017-2020

World Olympians Association has unveiled its newly updated Strategic Plan that will provide a strengthened framework for the continued growth of the organisation and guide us through to 2020 and beyond.

The new guiding document, which was developed by WOA Executive Committee during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and ratified at its most recent meeting on 15 December, is designed to support and sustain the ongoing development of the WOA and National Olympians Associations around the world while providing valued services for Olympians, supporting sustainable community programmes and extending our own capacity and resources.

The updated plan follows three years of sustained growth by the WOA. Supported by the implementation of the previous strategic plan (2013-2016), the organisation, which represents the views and interests of 120,000 Olympians worldwide, has put in place more robust governance structures, strengthened our financial position, increased transparency, enjoyed greater integration and an enhanced relationship with the International Olympic Committee and, more generally, seen its standing within the Olympic the Olympic Movement reinforced.

WOA President, Joël Bouzou, said:

"We believe the next four years will allow us to further build on the important progress made in these areas, with a renewed focus on strengthening support to our NOAs so that they can provide the best possible service to Olympians.

"Our updated mission, to be of service to Olympians, thereby empowering them to make the world a better place, was developed in line with Olympic Agenda 2020 and the fundamental principles of the Olympic Charter. It ensures Olympians remain at the heart of everything we do and will guide our policies and our actions as we endeavour to achieve the best possible outcomes and recognition for Olympians at all stages of their careers.

"Our renewed vision of a harmonious world inspired by Olympians further supports the idea that Olympians have the potential to inspire change, foster social development and promote unity and is something that we, as Olympians and ambassadors of the Olympic Movement, continue to strive towards."

Over the course of the next Olympic cycle many opportunities will arise to further boost the presence of WOA and its work supporting Olympians.

As part of the updated strategic plan WOA will:

Build on the outstanding success of the Rio 2016 Olympians Reunion Centre - planning is already underway for WOA activity at the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games as well as our next Olympians Reunion Centre at Tokyo 2020.

Continue to forge strong relationships with key IOC Departments and build the global WOA brand by further establishing our presence on Olympic platforms.

Increase funding and recognition for NOAs through the Development Grant and Service to Society Grant programmes, while also strengthening support regionally through effective use of our Continental Groupings as well as through the promotion of greater coordination between NOAs and NOCs at a national level.

Provide direct support to Olympians through enhanced services such as a post-career health initiatives, life transition and education programmes and Games-time benefits for non-competing Olympians.

Grow NOA participation in key initiatives and programmes such as Olympic Day and World Fit and identify other projects we can partner with.

Look at ways to expand our revenue and resource streams through sponsorship and patron programmes.

WOA President, Joël Bouzou, added:

"Providing the best possible support to Olympians via our 148 NOAs is of the utmost importance to WOA as we embark on this next phase of our journey and it is one I look forward to overseeing through the implementation of our updated strategic plan over the next four years."

To read the full 2017-2020 WOA strategic plan please click here.

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