According to the latest report of one of our partners, the International Olympic Academy inaugurated the IOA Awards on 21 May 2026. It was a ceremony filled with emotion and international significance in Ancient Olympia as part of the 19th International Session for National Olympic Academies and National Olympic Committees. The inauguration was held with the presence of the entire leadership of the IOA, the Deputy Director of the IOC Olympic Foundation for Culture and Heritage, Ms Yasmin Meichtry, and delegates representing NOAs and NOCs of more than 100 countries.
The new IOA institution was created to recognise the outstanding work of National Olympic Academies and NOC Education Commissions across the world and give these initiatives the international visibility they deserve. The IOA aims to highlight successful projects, reward quality, encourage innovation and share good practices throughout the international Olympic Education network. The first edition put the people and organisations in the spotlight, which bring Olympic values to life every day.
The Awards distinguish projects in several thematic areas, reflecting the broad and evolving role of Olympism today.  Five categories cover essential areas of the IOA’s educational mission: the promotion of Olympic values through educational programmes, the holistic development of athletes, Olympic history and cultural heritage, environmental responsibility, and the use of sport and Olympic values for inclusion, health and positive social change. The winners of the IOA Award per category are:
| Award | Winner |
| Olympic Education Award | National Olympic Academy of Portugal |
| Athlete Development Educational Programmes | National Olympic Committee of New Zealand |
| Olympic Cultural Legacy | National Olympic Academy of Czechia |
| Sustainability and Green Sport Educational Programmes | National Olympic Committee of Cape Verde |
| Community Engagement and Social Impact Educational Programmes | National Olympic Committee of Papua New Guinea |
The Director of the IOA, Dr Makis Asimakopoulos, congratulated the awarded National Olympic Academies and NOC Education Commissions, and extended IOA´s sincere appreciation to all participants, applicants, Committee members and contributors while IOA President, Professor Charilaos Tsolakis, expressed his warm appreciation to the members of the IOA Awards Committee. Finally, the long lasting commitment to Olympic Education of Gert Portegier, an Olympian from South Africa who happened to be a participant of the first ever IOA Session back in 1961, was honored as well
The IOA Awards depict the vision of the IOA leadership to enhance the NOA/NOC network by creating a framework of recognition, cooperation and impact of their work on the education field as well as strengthening the exchange of knowledge. A successful project in one country can become a source of inspiration for another.
It is in this spirit that we congratulate the IOA and all winners as we look forward to announce the 2026 edition of the EOA Flame Awards soon with the winner to be presented at our upcoming 8th EOA Congress in November.
