June 06, 2013 (Anchorage, Alaska) – Lars Flora, two-time Olympian and executive director and founder of NANANordic, is one of three U.S. representatives chosen to participate in the International Olympic Academy (IOA) from June 11 – 25, 2013, in Athens and Olympia, Greece. The other two are U.S. Olympic Committee staffers.

The IOA’s goal is to educate and motivate young people to use their experiences and knowledge gained from the session productively in promoting the Olympic ideas and educating others in their own countries. Flora will present NANANordic to the 200 participants from around the globe taking part in this year’s event.

“This has been an amazing journey,” said Flora. “We’ve introduced nearly 2,000 children in Northwest Alaska to Nordic skiing, giving them another winter recreation opportunity in a region where there’s snow on the ground eight months out of the year. This is just the beginning. Timing for the conference is great – we’re in the planning stages for our third season now. I’m looking forward to hearing ideas that will help NANANordic become even more successful.”

NANANordic was formed to introduce the lifetime sport of cross-country skiing to rural Alaska through a sustainable Nordic ski program, starting with villages in the NANA region. Two-time Olympian Lars Flora brought the idea to NANA Development Corporation in 2011. Funded by corporate and individual donations, Flora and 20 volunteers, in cooperation with the Northwest Arctic Borough School District, provided a month of cross-country ski instruction to 650 students in Kotzebue, Kiana, Selawik and Noorvik in 2012. This year, approximately 2,000 children in all NANA region villages, as well as Anaktuvuk Pass, had an opportunity to learn to cross-country ski from more than 45 volunteers consisting of Olympians, World Cup athletes, University and college coaches and elite high school athletes.

For more information on NANANordic.com or facebook.com/NANANordic.

February 15, 2011 (Toronto, ON) – The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) is looking to send two Canadians between the ages of 20-35 to Olympia, Greece to experience the annual Young Participants Session at the International Olympic Academy (IOA). This year, interested Canadians must enter through an online application that illustrates their sport leadership, passion for the Olympic Movement and their online social influence.

The IOA unites some of the world’s most vibrant young leaders in sport and physical activity from approximately 100 nations. The session will take place from June 25 to July 9, 2011 and will focus on Olympism with a special look at Olympic education.

Applicants must possess an understanding of Olympism and experience in the Olympic Movement in Canada. Ideal candidates will exhibit, leadership, knowledge and enthusiasm for the development of sport and physical activity and will possess a strong online presence. Successful applicants will need to demonstrate a proficiency in social media channels and the strength and reach of their social media influence as they will be required to provide social media updates and act as online ambassadors for the promotion of Olympism in Canada.

All expenses will be paid during the course of the IOA. The COC will cover air travel up to $1,500. Delegates will be required to provide their own ground transportation to their departing airport and are responsible for expenses incurred in Athens prior to the official end of the session.

Those who view themselves as future leaders in Canadian sport who are creative, dynamic, young professionals are encouraged to apply online by March 14, 2011 at 5 p.m. EST.

To apply online please click HERE. The successful candidate(s) will be notified the week of March 14, 2011.