Luxembourg Olympic Academy

Factsheet

Country Luxembourg
Name of AcademyLuxembourg Olympic Academy
Comité Olympique et Sportif Luxembourgeois
Emailcosl@cosl.lu
Websitehttp://www.cosl.lu
Name of PresidentAndré HOFFMANN
Contact PersonRalf LENTZ
Foundation date2013
Year of accession to EOA2023
Social media linksN/A

Meet the Academy

Interview with Ralf Lentz, Secretary General of the Comité Olympique et Sportif Luxembourgeois

  • We would like to know more about your organisation. Can you outline the structure and functioning of your NOA/NOC, (the relationship with your NOC, if it is an independent organisation) and give us a brief history?

The Luxembourg Olympic and Sports Committee (COSL) is the umbrella organisation for private organised sport in Luxembourg. It is recognised as the central body of Luxembourg sport and the National Olympic Committee and represents all Olympic and non-Olympic sports federations. The Luxembourg Olympic Committee (COL) was founded in 1912 and transformed into the Luxembourg Olympic and Sports Committee (COSL) in 1974. The missions of the COSL are derived from its statues and the framework provided by the 2005 Sports Act. They revolve around the following areas:

  • Development of sport and physical education in Luxembourg
  • Uniting all sports organisations and representing the interests of the sports movement
  • Organising participation in the Olympic Games and other Olympic multi-sport events
  • Representing the Olympic and sports movement at national and international level
  • Promoting the Olympic movement and its values, and the social and educational values of sport

The COSL consists of 9 permanent employees who are supported by 3 interim project staff. The COSL is structured into five departments: technical, promotional, executive, administrative and finance office.

  • We are delighted that you are part of the EOA family now. Can you, as our main contact person of the organisation, briefly introduce yourself so that everyone gets to know you?

After 15 years of activity as team manager in varoius sales, marketing and project management departments in the financial sector, I have joined COSL at the beginning of 2022 as Secretary General and Managing Director. Prior to this I was active in COSL as a volunteer member of the Board of Directors as well as the Technical Board, Sports Commission and Athletes Commission. As an athlete, I was a member and captain of the Luxembourg national volleyball team.

  • Has there been any projects related to promoting the Olympic idea/values/heritage that have been carried out in your country?

Olympic and sports values are promoted by COSL mainly through the Olympic Day and the “COSL Spillfest”. For Olympic Day, every year since 1987, around 400 primary school children have been introduced to sports in various ateliers, with the focus on activities with an integrative character (e.g. judo for the blind, sitting volleyball, etc.). The children and young people are also introduced to the Olympic values through workshops, fun games and discussions with former Olympians. The annual “COSL Spillfest” has been taking place since 1981. In close collaboration with it’s federations and partners the COSL aims to present a wide range of physical and sporting activities, in a fun and relaxed atmosphere, to a large audience of families and young people. Between 10,000 and 15,000 visitors come to this event every year. In addition to these flagship events, COSL is regularly involved at local level in promoting Olympic and sports values to children and teenagers.

  • Does your organisation have any new educational projects planned for the coming years, also with regard to the 2024 Paris Games?

In the past, the COSL was primarily active in competitive and elite sport, but it has recently set itself the goal of expanding its activities as part of its mission to promote physical activity and the Olympic, social and educational values of sport. In this context, COSL, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Sports and with the support of the “Œuvre Nationale de Secours Grande-Duchesse Charlotte”, is developing concepts to promote physical activity at local level, complementing existing initiatives. The project aims to accelerate and facilitate initiatives that (re)motivate citizens of all ages and fitness levels to adopt a physically active lifestyle, and to encourage all stakeholders – such as clubs, schools, educational and care facilities of all kinds, as well as local authorities and sports coordinators – to implement these campaigns on a permanent and sustainable basis, and to evaluate their impact on an ongoing basis.

  • What do you hope to derive from joining the EOA? Do you have expectations and wishes?

As a small NOC, COSL is highly dependent on the exchange of experience with other players in the development of new initiatives. In this context, we are certain that the EOA and its members can be of invaluable help in COSL’s aspirations to become more involved in the EOA’s core missions and to become even more of a driving force in the sports sector of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the greater cross-border region.

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