OLY

OLY (Olympian) are post-nominal letters granted by the World Olympians Association to athletes who have participated in the Olympic Games.

In November 2017 at the 8th International Olympic Committee (IOC) International Athletes’ Forum, the World Olympians Association announced the OLY post-nominal letters initiative. The initiative allows Olympians to use the OLY lettering on any official documentation after their name much like when one gets a degree. In addition to the letters athletes will receive a World Olympians Association certificate celebrating their achievements when they apply for the title. The initiative is open to all athletes who have competed at the games and who uphold the values and practices of the Olympic Charter and the World Olympians Association Code of Conduct. IOC president Thomas Bach was the first athlete to receive the initials.

Within five days, more than 1,000 Olympians had registered.

WOA President Joël Bouzou told Around the Rings:  "It's time to recognize becoming an Olympian is like becoming a PhD. It takes 10 years. You learn about perseverance, you learn about equity, fair play. You are an example of this for society at large."