A milestone in the history of the IOA’s course in the Olympic Movement has been regarded to be the new IOA’s strategic plan, developed within a frame-
work of a new form of partnership with the IOC. Its launching came appended to the revamp of the IOA premises in Ancient Olympia, thanks to the EUR 12.5
million investment from the IOC, and constitutes the IOA’s reform. A reform which builds on the existing 60 years of the IOA’s role in Olympic education and
at the same time, marks the beginning of a new era.

On 1st October 2021, at the Olympic House in Lausanne, the IOA presented its new business plan to the IOC Steering Committee, a body having been constituted for the IOA development project.

It was led by Christophe De Kepper, Director General of the IOC, including the members: Pere Miró, Deputy Director General for Relations with the Olympic Movement, Lana Haddad, Chief Operating Officer, Emre Kurtoglou, Chief Financial Officer, Angelita Teo, Director of the Olympic Foundation for Culture and Heritage, James McLeod, Director of Olympic Solidarity & NOC Relations and Panos Tzivanidis, Director of Corporate Events & Services, who had the overall coordination. Maria Bogner, Head of the Olympic Studies Centre, was also present during the. meeting, who had closely collaborated with the IOA team during this period, providing useful insights and guidance on further steps. Nuria Puig, Manager of External Relations and Academic Programmes of the Olympic Studies Centre, had also significantly. contributed to the reflections.

The Strategic plan was based on three main pillars: the new development and implementation plan, the new organisational structure along with legal developments and the business plan.

The new development plan

The new development and implementation plan pertains to the launching of innovative projects providing new high-level educational opportunities as well as the preservation and enhancement of the IOA’s core flagship programmes in order to strengthen their impact and reach within the Olympic Movement.

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This approach was built on certain objectives that were set for the future:

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• To identify synergies for collaboration between the IOA and the IOC, NOCs, Universities and other educational institutions to develop programmes which respond to the IOC’s strategic roadmap and the needs of the Olympic Movement.

• To enhance the role of the NOAs worldwide and their relation with their respective NOCs, to encourage and assist their work and to cooperate with other institutions devoted to Olympic education.
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• To further develop the IOA academic offering, using all means of contemporary educational tools, including online education, in order to widen its reach and increase its impact.

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• To build and promote the IOA as an institution which stands for qualitative and impactful educational programmes.

• To build a sustainable business model and offering, providing within and outside of the Olympic Movement access to unique services and programmes.

Τhe submission of this plan of action rounded off a 1.5 year of discussions and reflections by the IOADevelopment Working Group, instituted by academ-
ics and experts with knowledge on Olympic issues and the physiognomy of the IOA, who have greatly contributed to this endeavor. The members of the IOA Development Working

Group were: Prof. Dionyssis Gangas (IOA), IOA’s Development Projects Consultant, Assoc. Prof. Dimitris Gargalianos (GRE), Sport Management, Democritus University of Thrace, Prof. Konstantinos Georgiadis (IOA), IOA Dean, Thomas Junod (SUI), Head of UEFA Academy, Alexandra Karaiskou (IOA), ΙΟΑ Scientific Staff, NOAs Relations, Prof. Mike McNamee (GBR), Applied Ethics, College of Engineering, Swansea University, Prof. Dongguang Pei (CHN), Capital University of Physical Education and Sports, Beijing, Prof. Emilio Fernández Peña (ESP), Director, Olympic Studies Centre, Barcelona, Prof. Sarah Teetzel (CAN), University of Manitoba, Prof. Stephan Wassong (GER), German Sport University Cologne, Head of Institute of Sport History, Director of OlympicStudies Centre.

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The new organisational plan Within the framework of growth, a new statute has been developed, in an attempt to adjust the new rules and regulations to the contemporary reality, according to the new perspectives. The new statute, been approved by the IOC and the HOC and officially voted by the Hellenic Parliament, is now in full force and effect and involves a new structure in the administrative body. The IOA Ephoria is expanded with the admission of three members from the IOC, a new
position for a General Manager is created along with one new Department and a Commission, which will modify the modus operandi: The Communication,
Promotion & Marketing Department, aiming towards fund-raising and attracting new stakeholders and the Scientific Commission, being comprised of Professors
on Olympic education, encharged with advising the IOA on the educational programmes.
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The 7-year business plan

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The third part of the strategic plan concerned the business plan, being designed by Harris Kalofonos, IOA’s Financial Consultant, Michalis Anastasopoulos, IOA’s Legal Advisor and Prof. Dionyssis Gangas with the objective to provide a financial model to be implemented as of 2022. The business plan based on realistic facts, is related to the uniqueness of the IOA premises, the distinctive features of Ancient Olympia, the financial context of the village and the new potentialities of the premises, following the complete renovation. The financial model presents the future course of the IOA within the next seven years and the steps that need to be followed in order to become a self-sustainable institution. Both sides have reiterated the need to work in close alignment, adopting a common strategy so that mutual benefits can be achieved in promoting the Olympic philosophy for the sake of humanity. The growth of the IOA reflects the changes of the modern era and with the empowerment of its educational mission it will be able to preserve its uniqueness. through time.

The IOC President, Thomas Bach, at his opening speech during the inauguration ceremony has depicted the IOA as “the guardian institution of our great heritage”, continuing that: “the IOC and the Academ have a solid foundation to chart the course for the future of our beloved Olympic Movement”.

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