Speaking here, a panel which also included WOA President Joël Bouzou and new IOC Sports Director Kit McConnell discussed how the two organisations can work together for the benefit of Olympians worldwide and the communities they live in.

It also offered another opportunity for Olympians of all eras and nationalities to mix and mingle in a relaxed atmosphere, to make new friends and to re-connect with old acquaintances.

"We have a number of very important initiatives for Olympians including the Athlete Career Programme and the recently launched IOC Athlete MOOC (Massive Open Online Course)," said Bokel, re-elected chair for a second four year term last week.

"By working with the WOA we will be able to extend our reach for these and other programmes and ensure that Olympians benefit from the programmes and projects run by the IOC."

A similar view was put forward by McConnell when he outlined how "the sports department works with both the IOC Athletes' Commission and the WOA."

"Our aim is to ensure that they work closely together for the benefit of Olympians at all stages of their lives," he added.

"We will continue to support them in every way we can so that they can, both separately and together, provide the best services possible for Olympians and so that Olympians are able to give back to society and spread the spirit of Olympism."

Through events like this one at London 2012 the WOA has long worked to develop sporting opportunities for young people all over the world ©WOA



WOA President Joël Bouzou explained further how they can help

"There are many Olympians around the world running projects which benefit their communities," he said.

"But their inspiring stories aren't being heard enough.

"By working more closely with the IOC and the Athletes' Commission we can help make the Olympic values come alive.

"We are very excited about the opportunity we now have to mobilise the Olympian force for good in society along with the IOC Athletes' Commission aided by the IOC Sports Department.

"With these highly successful Games, the IOC and the Organising Committee have set the base for Olympians to demonstrate all that is best about sport and the spirit of the Olympic Movement."