WOA and IOC to work closer together to spread Olympism across the globe

By Daniel Etchells

The World Olympians Association (WOA) has been invited to make additional submissions to the ongoing International Olympic Committee (IOC) Agenda 2020 debate, as the two organisations continue to look at ways to establish a more integrated approach to spreading the spirit and practice of Olympism.

Joël Bouzou and Thomas Bach, the WOA and IOC Presidents respectively, have met at the IOC headquarters in Lausanne where they discussed how to deepen the strong working relationship between the two organisations and further boost the Olympic Movement's ability to promote Olympism in the global community.

In order to maximise the opportunity to reflect the outcomes of the IOC Agenda 2020, which will culminate in discussions and decisions at the Extraordinary IOC Session in Monte Carlo in December, Bouzou has confirmed that the inaugural World Olympians Forum, bringing together all 142 National Olympians Associations to share and discuss best practice, will now take place in the first quarter of 2015.

"The IOC has always been a huge supporter of the WOA from the time the organisation was first founded," said Bouzou.

"Without the IOC's financial and practical annual investment, the WOA would not have been able to establish a strong base for providing the services and benefits for Olympians.

"We already have an excellent relationship with the IOC and we are looking forward to working even closer to achieve our shared goals."

The IOC Agenda 2020 debate will be held in Monte Carlo in December ©Getty Images

Bach added: "The WOA has made significant progress and has the potential for an important role in the Olympic family.

"Olympians are at the heart of what the IOC does.

"A strong, vibrant WOA will help ensure that our Olympians are looked after and that they are able to contribute to our global programmes."

Agenda 2020 is part of Bach's vision to reform the Olympic Movement.

The pair also discussed planning for the Olympians Reunion Centre at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, a process which the WOA is aiming to complete by the end of this year.

The centre will provide a place for Olympic athletes past and present to meet during the Games and share their experiences.