Olympic Solidarity — International Surfing Association

What is Olympic Solidarity?

One of the many benefits of Surfing’s inclusion in the Olympic Games is the opportunity to access and benefit from Olympic Solidarity Programmes.

Olympic Solidarity is the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) global development initiative aimed at supporting the National Olympic Committees (NOCs) around the world, particularly those with the greatest need.

Olympic Solidarity offers funding to support the following main areas of sports development on a national and regional level: athletes, coaches, administrators, promotion of the Olympic values, knowledge-sharing and participation in the Games. This funding is available to support certain development programs across these areas in all sports that are included in the Olympic Programme.

What programmes and development areas can Olympic Solidarity support?

Coaches:

Technical Courses for Coaches
Olympic Scholarships for Coaches
Development of National Sports System

Athletes:

Olympic Scholarship for Athletes – (Tokyo 2020)
Team Support Grant (Only for NOCs)
Continental Athlete Support Grant – (2019 Pan Am Games, Asian Games,)

Promotion of the Olympic Agenda 2020 Values:

Sustainability in Sport
Gender Equality and Diversity
Sport for Social Development
Olympic Education, Culture, and Heritage
Sports Medicine and Protection of Clean Athletes

Learn More Here: https://www.olympic.org/olympic-solidarity

PAST PROGRAMS:

ISA Athlete Training Camp – Tahiti 2023

The International Surfing Association (ISA), in cooperation with Olympic Solidarity, is hosting an Athlete Training Camp (ATC) in Teahupo’o, Tahiti – the Olympic venue in the lead up to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
This ATC is part of a strategic athlete development plan to provide accessibility and local knowledge for under resourced/underexperienced athletes who have little/no opportunity to gain expertise at Teahupo’o outside of the ATC.

The ATC will be led by local experts and will feature interactive training exercises to maximize skillsets for qualified athletes and/or Olympic qualification hopefuls.
The focus for the 2023 ATC will be on the continental representation and universality.

ISA African Youth Development Program – Senegal 2023

The ISA Continental Youth Athlete Development Program (YADP) will consist of interactive coaching and training exercises to maximize skillsets for athletes both in and out of the water. The YADP will include an in-depth overview of scoring potential, venue analysis, mental preparation, time management skills, tactical game, motivational goals, technical video analysis and more. The program will also feature training for coaches to continue with long-term youth athlete development in the future.

We joined forces with Olympic Solidarity for the 2nd ISA Continental Youth Athlete Development Program. This time in Africa.

20 boys and girls from 10 African nations got coaching and training with ISA certified profesionals with the mission to help them maximize their skillsets both in and out of the water.

PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES IN ATTENDANCE

1. Angola
2. Cape Verde
3. Liberia
4. Madagascar
5. Mauritius
6. Morocco
7. Mozambique
8. Nigeria
9. Sao Tome & Principe
10. Senegal

Olympic Solidarity Supported ISA Symposium Elevates Surf Coaching in Costa Rica

ISA Continental Youth Athlete Development Program – El Salvador 2022

How can my National Federation benefit from Olympic Solidarity?

Olympic Solidarity funding is accessible for your National Federation (NF) via your National Olympic Committee (NOC) to support the key areas of sports development outlined above.

Olympic Solidarity projects are a collaboration between your NF and NOC with the oversight and guidance of the ISA. The ISA is available to provide guidance and support for Olympic Solidarity Projects and is ultimately responsible for approving the technical aspects of each project and issuing our support.

We strongly encourage you to take advantage of Olympic Solidarity to further develop the sport of Surfing in your country by taking the following steps:

1. Obtain recognition from your National Olympic Committee (NOC) and build a strong working relationship with them.

In order to take advantage of the Olympic Solidarity programs, it is imperative that your National Federation is recognized by your NOC. Shortly after Surfing was added to the sports program in Tokyo 2020, the IOC has asked all NOCs to include the NFs of the five new sports as voting members of their NOCs. At the same time, it is important that your NF builds a strong working relationship with your NOC and that your project is in collaboration and alignment with your NOC’s strategy and values. This relationship is KEY.

2. Contact ISA Membership and Development Department with your ideas and plans.

The ISA is ready to support you in the development of your Olympic Solidarity Projects and applications in order to achieve the best possible impact and outcome form them. Ultimately, our role is to approve and support all technical aspects of the Olympic Solidarity Projects that are passed through the NOC so please share with us in advance your plans and aspirations so we can best assist you.

Below is a graphic about the general procedure for Olympic Solidarity applications and approvals:

Who Do I Contact?

For additional information or questions please contact:

Alex Reynolds – ISA Director of Membership and Development

[email protected]