In a ceremony filled with emotion and international significance, the International Olympic Academy inaugurated the first IOA Awards on 21 May 2026, during the 19th International Session for National Olympic Academies and National Olympic Committees in Ancient Olympia.  This new institution was held with the presence of the entire leadership of the IOA, the Deputy Director of the IOC Olympic Foundation for Culture and Heritage, Ms Yasmin Meichtry, and the delegates representing NOAs and NOCs of more than 100 countries.

The ceremony marked the official launch of a new IOA institution created to recognise the outstanding work of National Olympic Academies and NOC Education Commissions across the world.  Through the IOA Awards, the IOA aims to highlight successful projects, reward quality, encourage innovation and share good practices throughout the international Olympic Education network.

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The first edition of the Awards placed at the centre of attention the people and organisations who bring Olympic values to life every day, in schools, universities, sports organisations, athlete programmes, cultural initiatives, sustainability actions and community projects.

Across the world, NOAs and NOC Education Commissions are developing initiatives with real impact: inspiring young people, strengthening communities and transforming Olympic values into practical educational action.

The IOA Awards were created precisely to give these initiatives the international visibility they deserve. This new institution depicts the vision of the IOA leadership to enhance the NOA/NOC network by creating a framework of recognition, cooperation and impact of their work on the education field.

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Five categories reflecting the future of Olympic Education

The inaugural IOA Awards recognised projects in five thematic categories, reflecting the broad and evolving role of Olympism today.  The five categories cover essential areas of the IOA’s educational mission: the promotion of Olympic values through educational programmes, the holistic development of athletes, Olympic history and cultural heritage, environmental responsibility, and the use of sport and Olympic values for inclusion, health and positive social change.

The Winners of the IOA Award per category are:

1. “Olympic Education Award”

Awarded to the National Olympic Academy of Portugal

2. “Athlete Development Educational Programmes”

Awarded to the National Olympic Committee of New Zealand

3. “Olympic Cultural Legacy”

Awarded to the National Olympic Academy of Czechia

4. “Sustainability and Green Sport Educational Programmes”

Awarded to the National Olympic Committee of Cape Verde

5. “Community Engagement and Social Impact Educational Programmes”

Awarded to the National Olympic Committee of Papua New Guinea

The IOA President, Professor Charilaos Tsolakis expressed his warm appreciation to the members of the IOA Awards Committee — Ms Alexandra Karaiskou (Chairperson), Dr Maria Bulatova, Ms Cecile Faye, Mr Hou Kun, Dr Ridha Layouni, Prof. Arnaud Richard, Prof. Koh Koon Teck, Prof. Cesar Torres and Mr Tiago Viegas — for their professionalism, dedication and cooperation in this first edition. Their contribution has been essential in laying the foundations of this new institution.

A specially designed IOA programme will be organized in Olympia for each winning NOA/NOC, while the awarded initiatives will be presented through the IOA Journal and the Academy’s official communication platforms.

Beyond the awards themselves, the purpose of this new institution is to strengthen the exchange of knowledge across the NOA network. A successful project in one country can become a source of inspiration for another. A school programme, a community initiative, an athlete development activity or a sustainability project can be adapted, enriched and multiplied in different contexts.

On behalf of the IOA staff, the Director of the IOA, Dr Makis Asimakopoulos, congratulated all the awarded National Olympic Academies and NOC Education Commissions, and extended its sincere appreciation to all participants, applicants, Committee members and contributors who made the first edition of the IOA Awards a milestone for the Olympic Education network.

On the occasion of this special ceremony, the IOA also recognised the long lasting commitment to Olympic Education of Gert Portegier, an Olympian from South Africa, who happened to be participant of the first ever IOA Session back in 1961.

When the NOA network shares knowledge, good practices and vision, the entire Olympic Movement becomes stronger.

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