65th International Session for Young Olympic Ambassadors

MAIN TOPIC: “The Future of Sport” 

SPECIAL TOPIC: “Olympic Movement and AI: Opportunities and Challenges”

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Arrival in Athens: Saturday, 7 June 2025

Opening Ceremony (in Athens): Sunday, 8 June 2025

Departure to Olympia: Monday, 9 June 2025

Works of the Session: Tuesday,10 June – Wednesday, 18 June 2025

Departure from Olympia & Athens: Thursday, 19 June 2025

The NOCs should collaborate with their respective NOAs for the selection of the candidates, who should not exceed the number of three (3) persons.

Participants should be strictly 20 to 30 years old and have a genuine interest in the educational aspects of the activities organized during the Session, the aims of the IOA, as well as current issues of Olympism.

We would like to remind you that people who have previously attended the Session will not be accepted.

Upon their online registration, participants (in collaboration with their NOC/NOA) will be requested to submit a plan of initiatives they are going to take after the end of the session in order to share their experience and disseminate the knowledge acquired during the Session. This must include at least three (3) of the following:

• Assist in implementing of minimum one programme with their NOC/NOA.

• Disseminate knowledge and experience acquired in the Session at either a school, sports organization, or through social media platforms (reach needs to exceed 100 people).

• Create or become part of minimum one network for the exchange of ideas, knowledge and information on Olympic subjects (e.g. IOA social media network, IOAPA – IOA Alumni Network etc.).

• Create their own research, educational or work project which is related to the IOA, sports, Olympism, Olympic Games etc.

• Make use of the various social media platforms in order to disseminate a) the experience they have acquired during the Session and b) the work/projects/programs they have undertaken after being inspired by their participation (e.g. by creating their own YouTube channel/vlog detailing their experience, or by creating content on Facebook, Instagram etc. during and after the Session).

After the implementation of their plan of initiatives, the Young Olympic Ambassadors will be required to send their impact reports to the IOA who will then create a portfolio for further consideration by the IOC. 

NOCs and NOAs are kindly requested to provide their delegates with all the necessary information and hold briefings on the educational role of the IOA and the content of the YOA Session prior to the participants' departure.

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The platform will be open from Friday, 24 January 2025 and the final date for enrollment will be Friday, 28 March 2025, after which the registration platform will be closed.

The working languages of the Session are English and French, and participants must speak fluently at least one of these languages. In order for applicants to be accepted in the Session they must submit the relevant English or French certificates or benative speakers.

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- Upload Motivation letter (approx. 500 words)

- Upload plan of initiatives (approx. 500 words)

- Upload a signed and sealed letter from NOC/NOA which verifies your official nomination

- Upload a language certificate which proves your level of knowledge

- Upload copy of ID card or passport (max size 500kb)

- Upload passport photo in electronic format (Technical requirements: Digital file format: .jpg, jpeg or .png | Ratio: 4:3 (Height: Width) | Resolution: minimum 300 DPI (dots per inch) | Size: around 100kb)

- Sign the Declaration of Consent

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OLYMPIANS' PRESENTATIONS

The IOA strongly encourages Olympic/Paralympic medallists and/or athletes who have participated in Olympic/Paralympic Games to make presentations on topics related to their Olympic experience. A Word document of the paper of maximum 2 pages, written in English or French must be sent to ioa@ioa.org.gr until Friday, 18 April 2025.

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A) Registration Fees

All participants are required to pay registration fees amounting to 150 euros per person. The payment of the registration fees will be effected via STRIPE or Pay-by-Link (Alpha Bank). Please kindly note that from 2025 this payment method will be eligible for any transaction (bank transfers will not be accepted). 

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B) Participation fees

Participation fees for one male AND/OR one female participant(s) per NOC/NOA are covered by Olympic Solidarity. Participation fees for a second male or a second female participant as well as for a third participant are set at 1.220 euros per person.

The payment of the participation fees (1.220 euros per person) for any additional participant must be realized via STRIPE or via Pay-by-Link (Alpha Bank). Please kindly note that from 2025 this payment method will be eligible for any transaction (bank transfers will not be accepted).  

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C) Transport

Air-tickets

Olympic Solidarity will cover 50% of the cost for the air-ticket (economy class) for one male AND/OR one female participant per NOC.

The IOA will confirm the final list of participants, based on which Olympic Solidarity will generate the financial reports on the RELAY platform, making them available to the concerned NOCs. The reimbursement of 50% of the flight ticket will be sent to the NOC upon receipt and validation of this financial report.

Local transport

The IOA will take care of the participants’ local transport strictly from June 7th (date set for the arrival of the participants in Athens) to June 20th (date set for departure).

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D) Accommodation/Boarding

Accommodation both in Athens (only for the nights of 7th, 8th and 19th June 2025) and in Olympia will be at the charge of the International Olympic Academy. Any additional overnight stay in Athens must be taken in charge by the participants.

Also, please bear in mind that all participants will be allocated in twin and triple rooms, both in Athens and in Olympia with no exceptions whatsoever.

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E) Visa

Participants who need a VISA to enter Greece should address themselves to the Greek Embassy/Consulate of their country, where they will submit their application along with an invitation letter from the IOA. Should there be no Greek Embassy in some countries a VISA from an Embassy of any country member of the European Union could be accepted.

Please, bear in mind that applications for VISA must be submitted well in advance, in some cases 4 months before your trip, otherwise you might not receive your VISA on time.

May we remind you once again that any cost concerning the issuing of such a VISA should be borne by the participants themselves.

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·       A full refund will be given up to 80 calendar days prior to the start date of the Session, namely until March 19, 2025.

·       A 50% refund will be given for cancellations made 79 to 72 calendar days prior to the start date of the Session, namely March 20, 2025 to March 27, 2025.

·       No refund will be granted for cancellations made within 71 calendar days of the start date of the Session, namely from March 28, 2025.

·       No refunds will be given for No Shows.

·       A full refund will be provided in the event that the Session is cancelled by the International Olympic Academy.

·       Refunds are issued by the International Olympic Academy and may take some days, after the refund has been processed, to be received. IOA retains the right of the return method.

·       In the case of an emergency/ extenuating circumstances, special requests may be considered on a case-by-case basis by the International Olympic Academy

·   Refund requests should be submitted in writing to: : log@ioa.org.gr and c.skaliarakis@ioa.org.gr

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