The Olympic Medallists are among the most important ambassadors of the Olympic Movement for the diffusion of the Olympic Ideal. Consequently, the IOA has includ¬ed, since 2007, the innovative idea of the Olympic Medal¬lists Session in its educational activities.

Participation

The participants are selected by the National Olympic Com¬mittees, the National Olympic Academies, the World Olympians Association and the IOC Athletes' Commission.

The air ticket fee is covered by the athlete's Olympic Academy or the Olympic Committee, while the rest of the expenses (accommodation, board, archaeological sites' visits, etc.) are covered by the International Olympic Academy.

The training is based on theoretical approaches as well as on practical applications of Olympism and Olympic Edu¬cation. More specifically, on a theoretical level, the lec¬tures that take place are relevant to the Olympic Educa¬tion and concern the educational and cultural role of the Olympic Education, the moral and social aspect of Olympism, the role of the Olympic Medallists as role models for the diffusion of the Olympic Idea and their communication with the citizens and especially the stu¬dents. Through direct dialogue with the Olympic Medal¬lists, experiential ways of education are sought (educa¬tional, communicative, etc.) where the athletes share their experiences in order to exchange ideas.

For this session, the IOA cooperates closely with the Na¬tional Olympic Committees, the National Olympic Academies, the Olympic Medallists Associations and the International Sports Federations. The purpose of this cooperation is the broader participation of Olympic Medallists and their training in the cradle of the Olympic Games in order to help them respond to their 'post olympics' social role.

Special subjects of the International Sessions for Olympic Medallists (2007 - to date)

•  Propagation of the Olympic Idea by the Olympic Medallists

•  The social and professional life of athletes during and after elite competition.