The program aims to support exceptional young leaders who have the passion to solve local problems through grassroots sport-based initiatives and sustainable social business models.  Since its inception, 90 Young Leaders from 66 countries have delivered 141 sport-led projects, directly benefitting 35000 people. One of the current Young Leaders is Omar Refaat, ITTF Development Manager.

“The IOC Young Leaders Program is a once in a lifetime opportunity and a unique experience to use sport as a tool to change people’s lives and support your respective community. The Program helped me so much to shape and launch my project. At the beginning I had an overall idea of my project, but through the first year we received so much support from the IOC Young Leaders team and a pool of experts who helped to shape my idea into a social business form. At the beginning of the second year, I launched my project, with the aim of reducing inequalities in Egypt and provide an equal opportunity for everyone to practice sport in a safe and accessible environment. I am glad to be part of such an amazing program, and for all future young leaders who want to create a better world, don’t miss this great opportunity.”, Omar Refaat, ITTF Development Manager and IOC Young Leader

Rather than looking for a set profile, the program benefits from its members’ diversity in backgrounds, perspectives, skillsets, motivations and experiences. However, the must-have attributes of a successful applicant are:

• 20-28 years old
• Proficiency in English
• Passion for sport as a tool for social and economic change
• Interest in community action
• Knowledge of the UN Sustainable Development Goals
• Strong communicator and team player willing to learn and grow
• Comfortable in managing social media, and new technologies and platforms

This program is for you if you want to:

• Turn ideation and research into real action and development of solutions
• Become a more effective and stronger leader in sport and social business (or a sport and social business entrepreneur)
• Drive local transformative change in and through sport
• Represent and embody the Olympic values in action
• Commit to a four-year entrepreneurial journey
• Be both a mentee and a mentor through a comprehensive mentorship programme
• Collaborate with fellow young leaders, experts, researchers, sports leaders and social business entrepreneurs

Detailed information about the application process and the criteria can be found on the IOC website and in this document.