World Olympians Association Expands Work in Asia

(ATR) The WOA has appointed a development officer for Asia to support the growth and expansion of national Olympians associationsin the regionin the lead up to Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022.

The announcement came at a meeting of Asian Olympians associations on the sidelines of the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta.

Singaporean Olympian Jovina Choo joins the organisation as the WOA’s first ever development officer and will also be responsible for helping raise the profile of the role Olympians play in society.

Choo competed in sailing at the Rio 2016 Olympics before joining the IOC in Lausanne on a 12-month internship last year.

In her new role, she will support the delivery of WOA’s six-month pilot project, initially working with five Asian Olympians associations including Malaysia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Indonesia and Philippines. The aim is to assist with their development and increase their influence and effectiveness.

The WOA hopes to make this position permanent in Asia and said it would roll-out the program to all five continents, which would involve a raft of other regional appointments.

"I believe Asia has immense potential to support Olympians at all stages of their lives and that Olympians have the opportunity to be at the forefront of the Olympic movement," Choo said. "It is my privilege to embark on this journey with Olympians. I look forward to working with the national Olympian associations across Asia to promote the role of Olympians, and to maximise their effectiveness in the lead up to Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022."

WOA president Joël Bouzou said that Choo wasjoining "at a crucial time for WOA and the Olympic movement in Asia and I am confident her support will prove invaluable as we progress the development of our member associations and maximise the impact and influence of Olympians".

The 2nd Olympians Associations of Asia meeting held Tuesday brought together thirteen NOAs from across Asia. Representatives discussed how they can better work together with NOCs and athletes’ commissions to support Olympians at all stages of their lives and to inspire Olympians to promote the Olympic values as ambassadors of sport and leaders in their communities.

Reported by Mark Bisson

25 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics is AroundTheRings.com, for subscribers only.