INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC ACADEMY 7th JOINT - IOA

1990, that the International and the National Olympic Academies were
specifically mentioned. These amendments were voted on 16 th July
1990 during the 96 th IOC Session held in Tokyo. What follows are the
paragraphs which refer to the Olympic Educational Institutions
introduced at that IOC session and which are still in force today:
Rule 2: Role of the IOC, section 15: “supports the International
Olympic Academy (IOA).”
Rule 31: Mission and role of the NOCs, section 2.1: “The NOCs
propagate the fundamental principles of Olympism at national level
within the framework of sports activity and otherwise contribute,
among other things, to the diffusion of Olympism in the teaching
programmes of physical education and sport in schools and university
establishments. They see to the creation of institutions which devote
themselves to Olympic education. In particular, they concern
themselves with the establishment and activities of National Olympic
Academies, Olympic Museums and cultural programmes related to
the Olympic Movement.”
Only since this time, has the Olympic Charter been in accord with
Pierre de Coubertin’s concept of giving absolute priority to pedagogy
and education.
Through Olympic Solidarity the IOC has given financial support
to the IOA, to help build and maintain its facilities and run its
sessions. But it has, also through its quadrennial plans, run different
programmes during the eighties and nineties dedicating funding to the
creation and development of the National Olympic Academies in each
country. These grants were of great help for the formation of many
new official Olympic educational institutions, above all in developing
countries. However, in the quadrennial plans of Olympic Solidarity,
this funding is included in the general assignment to every NOC,
which unfortunately means in some cases this money may not to be
invested in Olympic Education as it should be.
Conclusions
After over a century, modern Olympism can be considered as one
of the most important sociological forces of our times. During this
period, it can also be identified many of its goals as having been
achieved. However, taking into account the role of the IOC as is
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