19th International Session for NOAs and NOCs Delegates

Main topic: “Empowering Inclusion, Integrity and Responsibility for  Every Athlete”

Special topic:  “Driving Inclusion, Integrity and Responsibility: Strengthening Education,Governance and Safeguarding for Every Athlete"

Arrival inAthens: Sunday, 17 May 2026

Departure forOlympia: Monday, 18 May 2026

Works of theSession: Monday, 18 May – Saturday, 23 May2026

Departure from Olympia & Athens: Saturday, 23 May 2026

Introduction to OVEP (optional additional day): Saturday, 23 May 2026

(Hostedby the IOC, Olympic Foundation for Culture & Heritage)

Departure from Olympia & Athens: Sunday,24 May 2026

Each National Olympic Academy may enter the Session with one representative, involved with project management and application of Olympic Education programmes or/and the promotion of Olympic Values.

Each National Olympic Committee may enter the Session with one representative, from the NOC Education Commission, involved with project management and application of Olympic Education programmes or/and the promotion of Olympic Values.

Upon submission of the online application form, delegates from NOAs and NOCs will be asked to commit to specific follow-up actions they plan to implement after the completion of the Session. Each participant should submit a short project plan outlining initiatives that will be developed in their country.

These projects may include, for example, the following targets:

• Design and deliver at least one structured Olympic Education programme for Physical Education teachers and/or primary and secondary school students (e.g. a school-based toolkit, a teacher-training workshop, or a pilot project in selected schools).
• Organize seminars or educational programmes promoting Olympism and Olympic Values for officials/athletes/coaches, in cooperation with National Federations and sports clubs (e.g. values-based leadership sessions, good governance seminars, safeguarding and respect in sport).
• Establish or strengthen cooperation with at least one University or Higher Education Institution, with the aim of creating at least one educational or scientific initiative (e.g. a joint research project on sport and society).
• Develop a simple but clear communication and outreach strategy for Olympic Education activities, including the use of social media, websites and digital content, to share stories, tools and materials with their wider community.
• Create or enhance synergies with local institutions and community organizations (Ministry of Education, NGOs, schools), in order to build a national support network that promotes Olympic Education, engages the public and makes participation in such programmes easier and more inclusive.

These post-Session commitments will ensure that the Session in Olympia is transformed into tangible actions, partnerships and programmes that keep Olympism alive and relevant in each country.

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The registration platform - https://registration.ioa.org.gr - will be open from Friday, 16^th January 2026 and the final date for enrollment will be Monday, 16th February 2026, 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 be native speakers.

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1. Upload passport size 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)

2. Upload a report of specific projects delegates are going to put forward, after the completion of the session (approx. 500 words)

3. Upload a nomination letter from NOA/NOC in which the position of the delegate is referred to

4. Upload a copy of passport/ID (max size 500kb)

5. Upload a short CV (approx.500-600 words)

6. Sign the declaration of consent

The NOAs and the NOCs are kindly requested to present their annual activities and input on Olympic Education in their countries as well as abroad, through video format.

To ensure a dynamic and engaging presentation, we kindly request each NOA and NOC to submit a short video (maximum 5 minutes) that highlights their key initiatives, projects, and best practices in Olympic Education. The video should include sound and/or narration to effectively engage and motivate other NOAs and NOCs in further advancing Olympic Education.

Submission Guidelines:

· Duration: Maximum 5 minutes

· Format: High-quality MP4

· Content: Key activities, impact, and testimonials related to Olympic Education

· Language: English or with English subtitles

· Submission Method: Please send the video via WeTransfer 

· Deadline: 18th April

These videos will be presented during the Session and will also be uploaded to the Session’s platform, allowing broader visibility and knowledge-sharing among participants.

A)  Registration fees

All participants are required to pay registration fees amounting to 80 euros per person. The payment of the registration fees will be effected via PAYPAL or via Pay-by-Link (Alpha Bank), used only in the event that the PayPal payment method is unavailable or encounters technical issues. Please kindly note that from 2025 this payment method is eligible for any transaction (bank transfers are not accepted). 

B)  Participation fees

Participation fees for one participant per NOA or NOC will be covered by Olympic Solidarity.

The second participant (per NOA or NOC) must cover the participation fees, amounting to 850 Euros per person, via PAYPAL or via Pay-by-Link (Alpha Bank), used only in the event that the PayPal payment method is unavailable or encounters technical issues. Please kindly note that from 2025 this payment method is eligible for any transaction (bank transfers are not accepted).

C) Transport

Air-tickets

The full price of the air-ticket (economy class) for one participant per NOA or NOC will be reimbursed by Olympic Solidarity to the NOC after the Session, and upon receipt of submission of a financial report on the RELAY platform (IOC Olympic Solidarity). The IOA will confirm participation of the concerned delegate to Olympic Solidarity. The charges for the second participant concerning the air-ticket should be borne by the NOC.

Local transport

The IOA will take care of the participants’ local transport strictly from May 17th (date set for the arrival of the participants in Athens) to May 23rd (date set for departure).

D) Accommodation/Boarding

Accommodation both in Athens (only for the night of 17^th May 2026) 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 mainly in twin rooms, both in Athens and in Olympia.

E) Visa

Participants who need a VISA to enter Greece should address themselves to the Greek Embassy 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.

May we remind you once again that any cost concerning the VISA issuance should be borne by the participants themselves.

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· A full refund will be given up to 80 calendar daysprior to the start date of the Session, namely until February 26, 2026.

· A 50% refund will be givenfor cancellations made 79 to 72 calendar days prior to the start date of theSession, namely February 27, 2026 to March 6, 2026.

· No refund will be grantedfor cancellations made within 71 calendar days of the start date of theSession, namely from March 7, 2026.

·  No refunds will be given forNo Shows.

· A full refund will beprovided in the event that the Session is cancelled by the InternationalOlympic Academy.

·  Refunds are issued by theInternational Olympic Academy and may take some days, after the refund has beenprocessed, 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-casebasis by the International Olympic Academy

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