Aug. 15, 2001

By Marilyn Karras
Deseret News

SALT LAKE CITY - After many years of often full-time preparation, Olympic athletes often walk off the field or the slopes when competition is over without any plans for the rest of their lives.

Their educations have been interrupted, careers neglected or never started. Half of the more than 80,000 Olympians the world over now live in poverty.

The World Olympians Association, recognized by the IOC at its 1995 session in Atlanta and more recently receiving emphasis by new IOC President Jacques Rogge, is trying to change that. Partnering with the David Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah, the WOA will offer athletes at the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City help in turning their Olympic experience into educational and career opportunities.

The WOA and the business school will staff a World Olympian Center in the David Eccles School of Business building on campus. The WOA will also sponsor a "reunion center" in downtown Salt Lake City during the Games for former Olympians to renew old friendships.

The campus center's goal is to help Olympians of 2002 and previous Games make plans for going to school or work after their athletic careers are over. WOA secretary general Liston Bochette, in Salt Lake City recently to meet with faculty and administrators at the U., said, "Most (Olympians) don't know the value of their Olympic skills and experience."

He said companies and corporations can make good use of Olympians' discipline and work ethic in administration and other areas.

Jack Brittain, dean and professor of management at the U. school of business, said the school will offer scholarships to 2002 Olympians to study as undergraduate or graduate students. The number and type of scholarships are still to be determined.

"We would love to have this caliber of student attend here," Brittain said. He said the proximity of the U. campus to winter training facilities makes it a perfect situation for athletes who will continue their athletic careers while going to school to prepare for post-Olympic careers.

This is the first time a university at the site of an Olympics has become involved with the WOA in helping athletes start or continue their educations. Both Bochette and Brittain said they hope this will be one of Salt Lake City's legacies for future Olympics and that helping Olympians with education and career training will become more of a priority with the IOC.