Four Olympians received IOC scholarships to attend the Innovation in Action Booster programme at the IMD Business School. Here, they reveal what they learned as they look to turn their new skills into real-world impact.
Delivered in partnership with the IMD Business School, the Innovation in Action Booster programme equips athletes and IOC staff with entrepreneurial and leadership skills to use in real-world contexts.
Among the 42 participants attending the second edition of the programme in Lausanne, Switzerland – including staff from 15 different IOC departments – were four Olympians who received full IOC scholarships to cover costs and expenses.
Available every year, these scholarships have given 35 Olympians the chance to attend either the Innovation in Action course – taking place in November – or the booster programme since 2021.
Led by Cyril Bouquet, IMD Professor of Strategy and Innovation, they took part in various sessions over the three days, exploring how technological advances, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), could benefit athletes, spectators and the wider Olympic Movement.
Using AI to shape sport
AI is one of the most important technological innovations of the modern world, and the scholarship athletes took part in lectures and hands-on training, collaborating with experts and peers to understand its power and potential.
“It's important to learn how to use AI, because it's revolutionary. It will help us as athletes and change things which need modernising in sport,” said Ghailene Khattali, who competed for Tunisia in canoe sprint at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024.
Participants then applied their new skills in workshops, addressing issues that the IOC faces today, such as how the Olympic Games might need to adapt to climate change.
Bringing an athlete’s perspective
At the end of the programme, participants were required to make presentations to showcase what they had learned, receiving feedback from peers to help them continue their development.
Uruguayan judoka Pablo Aprahmian, who competed at Rio 2016, noted that the athletes could tap into skills they had developed during their sporting careers to thrive during the course.
“Sometimes athletes take risks, so I wasn't afraid to share my ideas," he said. “People valued my opinion as an athlete, so I felt free when I spoke.”
Opening doors for the future
As the athletes head home, they will now look to apply their new skills on their own path off the field of play.
“The biggest thing I've taken away is challenging how I think about the world and my own ideas," said Irish field hockey Olympian Hannah McLoughlin. “Also, when I have an idea around something, I don’t need to be afraid to take action and learn through processing and failing.”
"As an athlete, you only see your perspective of the sport," said Nuria Pau, who represented Spain in Alpine skiing at Beijing 2022.
“But now, having a global vision allows me to think differently. It shows me that there is potentially a different future for me that lies away from skiing or coaching.”
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This article was originally published on Olympics.com.
