The time has come again for athletes to celebrate their coaches as nominations have opened for the 2024 IOC Coaches Lifetime Achievement Awards.
Organised by the Athletes’ Entourage Commission, these awards recognise the hard work and dedication of one female and one male coach who contributed significantly towards their athletes’ Olympic journey.
A panel appointed by the International Olympic Committee President Mr Thomas Bach will select the winners, who will be announced in November.
Coaches can be active or retired and must have trained an athlete who participated in at least one edition of the Summer and/or Winter Olympic Games.
For this year’s awards, nominations are accepted until October 23 and can be made by
Olympians, International Federations, National Olympic Committees, members of the IOC Athletes’ or Athletes’ Entourage Commissions and IOC Members.
From five editions so far starting in 2017, two coaches from the paddling world have received the IOC Coaches Lifetime Achievement Awards.
In 2018, Mexico City 1968 kayak double 500m silver medallist and Hungarian Canoe Sprint coach Katalin Rozsnyoi was recognised.
After her career as an athlete, Rozsnyoi has devoted her life to coaching Hungary’s best sprint paddlers, with her athletes winning 11 Olympic medals, 84 at the World Championships and 70 at the European Championships.
In 2022, the honour went to Australian Canoe Slalom coach and two-time Olympian Myriam Fox-Jerusalmi.
She represented France at Barcelona 1992 and Atlanta 1996, winning the kayak single bronze at the latter edition.
With more than 25 years of coaching experience, she too has helped athletes to multiple world and Olympic medals.
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games added to her legend as she guided her daughters to Olympic gold medals - Jessica Fox won the canoe-kayak double and Noemie Fox took the first-ever women’s kayak cross title.
“Coaches are of paramount importance both on and off the field of play,” said IOC Member Sergii Bubka, who is the Chair of the IOC Athletes’ Entourage Commission, as quoted by Olympics.com.
“They provide essential mental and physical support, contributing significantly to the success of their athletes beyond their sporting achievements.
“The bond between athlete and coach is fundamental to performance and personal growth, and we are delighted to celebrate this relationship through these awards.”
Nominate your coach by clicking here.
Pictures by IOC.
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