The "IOC Athlete Learning Gateway” is set to go live on May 28 when between 100 to 125 participants are expected to be in the Peruvian capital for the 7th edition of the ACP Forum. 

More than 4,000 athletes and coaches from around the world have been helping the IOC test and develop the pilot version of the experimental Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC).

Leading academics, sports institutes, sports leaders and Olympians have contributed content for the programme, including courses and live online seminars.

Recommendation 18 of Olympic Agenda 2020, the IOC’s strategic roadmap for the future of the Olympic Movement, calls for support to athletes to be strengthened.

This includes the development of athlete career programmes with all the relevant stakeholders and increasing engagement with athletes on important topics related to their careers on and off the field of play.

“The long-term interests of athletes are a priority for the IOC,” said IOC President Thomas Bach, who announced the upcoming launch. 

“Through Olympic Agenda 2020, the IOC has a unique opportunity to act as a bridge between busy athletes and the world’s best academics and learning tools.

“The IOC Athlete Learning Gateway will allow athletes to shape their futures while still pursuing their athletic careers.”

The pilot programme for the IOC Athlete Learning Gateway was evaluated by the IOC’s Athletes’ Commission, Entourage Commission and a dedicated independent Academic Advisory Board, with Bach agreeing on their recommendation to establish the full service as part of Olympic Agenda 2020.

“This is just one of many important new initiatives being driven by the Olympic Agenda 2020 reforms, which will strengthen and improve support for the athletes,” said IOC Athletes’ Commission chair and Athens 2004 silver medal-winning fencer Claudia Bokel.

“This inspiring free electronic platform will give athletes, wherever they may be in the world and at whatever stage of their athletic career, access to educational material produced by leading academics and athletes.

“This is an important step forward for the welfare of athletes.”

IOC Entourage Commission chair and pole vault legend Sergey Bubka added: “The life of an athlete is extremely busy: they are constantly on the road; they spend a lot of time training.

“It is very difficult to find the time to study, to properly prepare for life after sport.

“But thanks to the many changes brought about by Olympic Agenda 2020, athletes will continue to be given more and more opportunities like the IOC Athlete Learning Gateway.

“This online tool gives athletes the means to successfully combine sport and education for brighter futures.”

Beginning in 2005 in partnership with recruitment specialists Adecco, the IOC's ACP Forum provides support to elite athletes in the areas of education, life skills and employment.

It is viewed as a key stand of the focus to inspire more young people to take up sport, with an aim to facilitate education as well as job opportunities for athletes during and after their sporting careers.

To view the "IOC Athlete Learning Gateway" pilot service, click here. 


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