LAUSANNE, Switzerland – The International Coaching Enrichment Certificate Program honored members of its XII and XIII classes in a ceremony held on April 24 at the International Olympic Committee headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.

A joint program of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee, the University of Delaware, and Olympic Solidarity (a department of the IOC), the ICECP provides national-level coaches with enhanced coaching and leadership skills, along with the latest coaching principles from the University of Delaware and the USOPC.

The program, conducted in partnership with the Olympic Solidarity Entourage United and headed by Mr. Yassine Yousfi, aims to assist national-level coaches in developing proficiency in the areas of sport sciences, talent identification, coaching education and management, athlete development, safe sport principles and grassroots sport development. The intended outcome is for ICECP participants to return to their countries as both coaches and experts within their respective sports, becoming foundation builders for future coaches and athletes while spreading the Olympic and Paralympic spirit.

With prior visits to Colorado Springs, Colorado, the University of Delaware and other apprenticeship sites across the United States, the ceremony in Lausanne represented the culmination of the achievements of the coaches. While in Lausanne, the coaches had the opportunity to share their projects with their respective International Federations. IOC President Thomas Bach and Ivo Ferriani, president of the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation and IOC executive board member, addressed the ICECP participants and presented the coaches with their diplomas. Jean-Christophe Rolland, president of World Rowing and IOC member, also presented the diplomas along with Dr. Matthew Robinson from the University of Delaware and Abigail Tompkins from the USOPC.

“Coaches play an instrumental role in the success of athletes, both on and off the field of play, and this program has proven incredibly successful in giving coaches the tools they need to best support and inspire the modern athlete,” said Sarah Hirshland, USOPC chief executive officer. “Partnering with Olympic Solidarity and University of Delaware gives us the opportunity to provide coaches with world-class training opportunities. They finish the course with expanded knowledge and expertise, and – as group who have learned and spent time together – with an impactful network to rely on.”

Thirty-one coaches from 27 nations and 17 sports received diplomas. To date, the ICECP has reached a total of 457 participants from 125 nations and 39 sports since its inception in 2008.

“As always, it is an honor to work with the USOPC in offering the ICECP, and it could not be done without the support of the USOPC and Olympic Solidarity,” said Dr. Matthew Robinson, ICECP director and professor of sport management at the University of Delaware. “It is so humbling to see the work of these amazing individuals. They have all done significant work that will impact sport in their countries for years to come. Our ICECP tutors have done an amazing job of mentoring the participants and helping them develop sound projects that have already had an impact around the globe.”

“The world-class ICECP program has been transformative in its systematic unveiling of our highest potentials through the delivery of exceptional programming which provides excellence in an unparalleled manner. The University of Delaware partnering with the USOPC and Olympic Solidarity allowed for the unification of our coaching cohort through blends of culture and experiences which have bound us all together through the unifying passion that the power of sport brings,” said Lynda Laurin, Ph.D., coach for USA Taekwondo. “Being part of the journey and family formed through this program has elevated our coaching peers to reach for the perceived impossible in our unique climates. It has also allowed us to come together through the belief that we hold the power to transform the world through the pursuit of peace and prosperity through sport. We are grateful for the opportunity. We accept the mission.”

Thirty-one Coaches Graduate From The International Coaching Enrichment Certification Program

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