Final Report

Participants after
graduation, with their
teachers, at the end of
their DESS training programme
outside the
INSEP in Paris, France
2001–2004 expenditure
US$ 1,300,000
40
41
High Level Education for Sports Administrators
Access to masters’ level courses
The High Level Education for Sports Administrators programme provided those operating
at a senior level in NOCs (and National Federations) with opportunities for training at a
strategic level through the MEMOS (Executive Masters in Sports Organisation
Management) and DESS (Diplôme d’Etudes Supérieures Spécialisées) programmes.
It also gave less experienced but nevertheless highly promising sports administrators an
“à la carte” scholarship to take part in a masters level course in sports management or a
related field either abroad or via distance learning in their home country.
The MEMOS programme, which was offered initially only to the European NOCs, began
to attract NOCs from other continents and, following several discussions with the MEMOS
Steering Committee, it was decided that the programme would be adapted for global participation
from 2003. As a result, 115 managers and executives from 94 NOCs covering
all five continents were awarded scholarships to participate in the MEMOS
programme. Of those, 71 have completed their degrees and 33 are currently enrolled in
the 8th edition of the MEMOS programme. The DESS programme, offered in French to all
NOCs as well, filled the need to provide opportunities for management education at a strategic
level in the other official language of the Olympic Movement. Of the 19 participants
accepted on the programme, 16 have received their degrees.
MEMOS and DESS participants were required to undertake a personal project, whereby they
received the support of an expert tutor in their selected field. Each project was carried out
by the participant with the consent and support of their NOC, and with the objective that
it should help improve the management of the respective organisation. Consequently,
other NOCs have taken interest in the results of some of the projects and have used some
of the information to improve their own work.
The “à la carte” scholarships enabled 28 sports administrators to take part in a masters
level degree in sport management or a related field at a university of their choice, thanks
to an Olympic Solidarity scholarship of up to US$ 12,000. To date, 27 participants have
completed their degrees and one is still enrolled.
Scholarships granted by continent
Continent MEMOS/DESS scholarships “A la carte” scholarships Participating NOCs
Men Women Men Women
Africa 34 1 8 – 36
America 22 3 1 2 21
Asia 28 3 9 2 29
Europe 25 13 5 – 27
Oceania 4 1 1 – 6
Total 113 21 24 4 119