A Brief History &
Our Philosophy
One of the International Medalist
Association's earliest activities was to provide athletic training
scholarships to America's elementary and middle school youth who desire
to participate in a sport, but due to a lack of financial resources they
are unable to be competitive on a national level. IMA also supports
community outreach programs instituted by Olympians whose post-Olympic
endeavors have been dedicated to serving their communities.
Ceremony in Athens, Greece 1998
Lee Evans & Ron Freeman participants
click on the picture for a larger image.
As an Educational Sports organization,
the International Medalist Association recognized the need to support
sports organizations on a regional, national, and international level.
Utilizing the services of Olympians and Olympic coaches, IMA has
facilitated training programs in the areas of coach preparation and
athlete development, which enhances the effectiveness of coaches and
athletes worldwide.
One of the most valuable untapped
resources in the world are the life skills of Olympic athletes,
particularly after they retire from their sport. IMA, through several
vehicles, began and continues to fill a void that allows these
outstanding individuals to inspire youth to become productive citizens.
A key ingredient is instilling in the youth the qualities that Olympians
use to be the best that they can be: hard work, consistency,
persistence, and the value of winning and losing.
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