Joël Bouzou: Serving society is the main priority

World Champion of Modern Pentathlon in 1987, participant in four ( 1980, 1984, Seoul 1988, Barcelona 1992) and winner of the team bronze medal in 1984, Joël Bouzou has been elected President of the World Olympians Association, (the worldwide organization of sportspeople who have participated in an Olympic event). He succeeds the American Richard "Dick" Fosbury

A Member of the WOA Executive Committee since 2003 and Treasurer until 2007, Joël Bouzou founded Rassemblement par le sport (Together Through Sport) in 1991 with the aim of helping to socially integrate young people living in volatile suburbs in through sport. In 2007, Joël Bouzou launched " Peace and Sport L’Organisation pour la Paix par le Sport” over which he presides. Based in Monaco and placed under the High Patronage of H.S.H. Prince Albert II, to whom Joël is an Advisor, Peace and Sport works to foster dialogue and reconciliation everywhere where it’s needed.

An interview with the new President of the Olympians...

• How long have you had the ambition to stand for President of the World Olympians Association?

Several motives led me to stand for this election, but the final motivation is relatively recent. It dates back four years, perhaps a little more, and has been supported by people such as Pál Schmitt 1 and Guy Drut with whom I have had numerous discussions on the subject. Prince Albert II of Monaco, with whom I share many interests, especially the Peace and Sport organization, also encouraged me in this project.

• In Rassemblement par le sport , then Peace and Sport, you use sport to develop humanistic actions. Will this also be your focus as President of the WOA?

Since the creation of the French Olympians Association in 2003, many things have reached maturity. As early as 1991, via Rassemblement par le sport , I worked with a number of personalities in French sport including Jean-Michel Brown, Jean-Luc Rougé and Robert Bobin, to encourage young people in the street to take up long-term structured sport activity. Through a program called "Champions in the Street", athletes played a very important role and it became clear that the collective strength of champions could have a very positive effect on society.

This is what we have developed on an international level with Peace and Sport. We have created the “Champions for Peace” initiative, whereby many top-level athletes take part in programs to educate and reconcile young people living in areas of post-conflict, extreme poverty or lacking social cohesion. For example, the “Friendship Games” in the Great Lakes region of Africa, between Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo, aim to reconcile the Tutsis and Hutus; I work with a Champion for Peace on this project, Olympian Venuste Niyongabo, Burundi's only Olympic champion...

Now, we have to "package the concept" to propose a new approach to the role of Olympians. 100,000 of them are easily identifiable and available. Organized into national associations, they are a major force. Focusing more on the role of champions and Olympians is therefore clearly part of my vision as President of WOA. Up until now, the Association has been rather orientated towards services for Olympians. This certainly remains one of its purposes, but, for me, serving society is the priority. Some actions have already been undertaken, but there are still many to commence. We often ask ourselves what society can do for Olympians. We should also ask what they can do for society. If we can act in a very structured manner, it will be easier for them to support Governments, society and collaborators.

• Is there a difference in vision between the different generations of Olympians regarding their investment and their role in society?

I think it's noticeable. Then, perhaps I’ve been more aware of it because of the actions that I have mounted over the past 20 years. When I created Rassemblement par le sport , there were often condescending smiles from those who didn’t understand the potential of champions in society, especially in disadvantaged neighbourhoods. Today, I think this is something quite recognized in France as in many countries.

I’m not sure that the first leaders of the WOA had this vision, but the organization had to be created to bring together Olympians in the Olympic world. And then there were not enough national federations. Since then, the world has changed: it has become more global, communication is instant. It’s a world where you can motivate communities in a fast, efficient manner. I therefore believe that this is the right time to develop this kind of action

• It’s similar to the vision of Pierre de Coubertin to promote peace

Certainly. When de Coubertin founded the modern Olympics, it was because he saw that humanity was spending less time in physical work and because there were conflicts, particularly in Europe between France and Germany. He thought if sports activities were international and regulated, it would be a great way to bring people of different racial, religious and social origins together. I believe this is what the World Olympians’ community can do.

• How did you prepare this election?

I listened to the expectations and aspirations of several Olympians. Through my work, especially with Peace and Sport, I have sensors in many places. I was therefore able to communicate my vision and it must have convinced people. People voted for a proposition that they considered interesting. I didn’t do any lobbying or develop friendships out of a vested interest. Rather, I tried to explain that things could be different. Olympians have a role to play in the world. It’s through this vision that we can mobilize our power for the service of good.

• What is the WOA’s relationship with the IOC?

In my view it’s a very good relationship. Through my role of Secretary-General of the Modern Pentathlon Union I am known by the IOC. Personal trust has been established, especially with the Sports Director, the Olympic Director, and the President of the IOC. They know that when I propose a project or say that I will take one on, I carry it with conviction and lead it to the end.

With regard to organization, there are lot of things to do. The new positioning of the WOA is to be at the service of society which should greatly attract the IOC because it adds to the Olympic package, in what the IOC delivers to its partners and to society. This is a concrete and active manifestation of the Olympic spirit. We’re no longer in speech mode, but making tangible acts and this is very important.

We also have strong links with the IOC Athletes’ commission. It represents athletes who are still competing, whereas the WOA comprises these as well as athletes who have completed their careers. It also represents all that is legacy , sustainable. We have a permanent representative who is on the board in our organization and vice versa, to harmonise activities. Furthermore, Frankie Fredericks is a close friend who is also Peace and Sport ‘Champion for Peace’.

• The first summer YOG took place in 2010 and this year the winter Youth Olympics. Are the young Olympians who took part in this event part of your conception of Olympians and what their role could be?

Not yet. Of course, this is a very important point and we are currently building a strategic plan for the years to come. What I see above all is potential sponsorship of these young athletes by Olympians who have already participated in an Olympic Games, so that budding champions do not only practice sport for themselves but understand that if they become Olympians, they will be in the public eye and have a role to play in society.

• What are your main priorities?

In particular, I want to create a Global Forum which would unite Olympians and national associations every two years. Today, Olympians meet up on a global level only once every 4 years, above all for elections. They are so sparse on the planet, in fewer than 150 countries, and there is a huge disparity between their organizations and programs. This is of course due to cultural and other differences, but it is primarily down to the need for organization. Generic programs can be developed everywhere. The goal would be to make best practices available so that each Olympian leaves the Forum with something definite to structure, everywhere around the world, actions adapted to everyone.

Apart from this major project, there are a lot of other issues: develop the marketing of the organization, work on publications, identify Olympians who hold key positions in society… they represent a very big international network. They are in Government, at the head of large companies, etc. Put at the service of Olympians, this network could be supportive, for example offering work to athletes during or after their careers. The WOA has a role to play in human rights, in diversity, in fostering acceptance of differences. There are collaborations to form, bridges to build with other organizations - in particular Peace and Sport. We also need to manage the Olympians Centres during the Olympic Games. They should not simply be places to come and have a drink and watch the games on television, but dynamic, interactive spaces with content.

• What about National Olympians Associations, particularly in France?

The Association established in 2003 has not initiated many programs in France up until now. We are in the process of making it younger, injecting new life. I’d really like France to become a kind of reference for the World Olympians Association. In the same way as Rassemblement par le sport did at one time, we could set up programs to serve society and Olympians in France. Moreover, Tony Estanguet, Edgar Grospiron and Philippe Riboud are important people who will be involved in the international Association.

• To conclude?

I believe that to achieve results, we must have a vision. It seems to me that it exists, it is shared. I am optimistic about the future of the WOA and the role that it can play at the service of society.

1 Olympic Champion of Fencing in 1968 and 1972, now President of the Republic of , and also an Ambassador for Peace and Sport