Much has been said over the past two years about the major renovation of the IOA's premises in Ancient
Olympia, which was completed last October with the financial support of the IOC.

This "investment" by the IOC – as its President Thomas Bach prefers to describe the funding of
the renovation – has created a climate of optimism throughout those institutions working with the IOA.
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This is because the renovated premises are now ready to host large-scale events, as has been demonstrated since the first days of the Institution's operation. Even before the end of 2021, a significant number of institutions had already applied to secure dates in 2022 to organise new educational activities and major conferences.

In addition to certain imperceptible works carried out to ensure a more comfortable stay on the premises, several other visible modifications to the existing building infrastructure have been carried out, with out changing the external appearance and historical character of the Academy.
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Among the many imperceptible works, the most important are the separation of the drinking water supply network from that of the sprinkler system, the replacement of the larger sewerage network, which now leads to a modern biological treatment plant, the installation and operation of a powerful Internet system, the installation of new high-powered electricity generators, the reinforcement of the fire protection system, etc. In particular, the latter was tested with great success during the great fire that hit Ancient Olympia last summer. Suffice to say that during this fire, which reached the outskirts of the premises, the Academy remained the only place in the entire area of Ancient Olympia with electricity, while the fire protection jets, operating without interruption, kept the surrounding area damp, preventing the fire from spreading inside the premises.
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The IOA's accommodation areas on all three levels were converted into single, double and triple rooms, with the removal of the old dormitories and the creation of a series of new upgraded rooms. Today the Academy has 256 beds, compared to 228 before the renovation, with a telephone in every room and new sanitary facilities.

The restaurant and café-bar area, iconic meeting points for those staying at the Academy, were completely reconfigured, with the addition of a small restaurant for official guests and lecturers at events.

The layout and kitchen workspaces were radically altered, providing greater flexibility for the preparation of many different types of food.
The classrooms were increased to six, each seating more than 25 people, and the library radically transformed, implementing all those measures that make modern libraries pleasant places for research and study. A separate preparation and study area for the lecturers was also created in the Conference Centre.

Finally, the sports facilities, including the football pitch, track and field area and swimming pool, were reconstructed to international standards, with the addition of a beach volleyball court.Now the new Administration of the Ephoria - under the continued presidency of Isidoros Kouvelos, who saw the dream of renovation become reality, sinceIOC President and friend of the Academy, Thomas Bach, adopted it and fast-tracked it - aims to further the IOA’s cooperation with new partners, creating fresh educational programmes that will generate corresponding revenues to fully cover the operating costs of this unique centre of research and teaching in the context of Olympic education.

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Close cooperation with the IOC, and the updated IOA management structure that accords with last September’s new statutes, certainly create optimum
conditions for the beginning of a new era for the IOA. Following the creation of its new structure, a complete strategic and operational plan has been
developed and approved by the Ephoria with the establishment of an Executive Committee, and the creation of a dedicated position of Administrative Director together with the establishment of a Scientific Advisory Committee and a Brand Promotion Committee to develop the marketing required to make the IOA fully independent financially within the next seven years.

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The new administrative structure of the Academy includes the participation of the IOC with three select members and officers: IOC Vice President Ser Miang Ng, IOC Executive Board member and Chair-person of the Olympic Education Commission Mikaela Cojuangco Jaworski and IOC Deputy Director General Pere Miró, whose roles will be instrumental in realising the new Olympic Family motto "Faster,Higher, Stronger – Together" in this new era of the IOA. –