Make way for young people in the Olympic movement. The IOC announced on Monday February 1st that it had selected 25 new recruits under its global “young leaders” program. This fifth class will benefit from an improved version of the program, which changes from an annual model to a four-year model. From this February 2021, these new talents in the Olympics will benefit from the IOC and its global partner, Panasonic, the means to found their own social enterprise as a possible local sports solution to an urgent problem in their respective communities. Participants will receive seed funding of 10 000 Swiss francs, spread over four years, be supported by weekly learning modules, and be offered leadership opportunities. The 25 participants – 13 men and 12 women – were selected from 350 applicants, all with a clear experience or passion for the sport. They come from 25 countries on five continents. Launched in 2016, the IOC’s Young Leaders Program has resulted in 116 projects around the world, using sport to promote themes such as education, social inclusion, sustainability and well-being. The projects have directly benefited more than 30 000 people. The program was previously known as Young Change-Makers, before being renamed in 2019 to better reflect the important role these young people play at the heart of the Olympic movement.
