The USOA is committed to participating in and contributing to the mission of the International Olympic Academy, which functions as a multicultural interdisciplinary center that aims at studying, enriching and promoting Olympism. The aim of the IOA is to create an international cultural center in Olympia, Greece, to preserve and spread the Olympic Spirit. It is the main international educational and cultural institution that aims to promote the Olympic ideals and to develop Olympic education, providing a unique opportunity for students, academics, athletes, artists and officials from all over the world to exchange ideas and share this "state of mind" in Ancient Olympia. There are a wide variety of educational sessions, academic programs and in depth research studies offered at the IOA campus in Oympia that aim towards serving the vision of the International Olympic Academy for the new century: to explore and enhance the contribution of Olympism to humanity.

The IOA holds a number of international sessions and workshops each year, including:

International Session for Directors of National Olympic Academies/Joint International Session for Presidents or Directors of National Olympic Academies and Officials of National Olympic Committees

These week-long sessions aim to support the function of the National Olympic Academies and encourage the foundation of new ones through lectures by professors, teachers and officials of the Olympic and Paralympic movements, and through group discussions. 

International Session for Young Participants

This two week annual session designed as an introduction to Olympism and the Olympic Movement, bringing together a large international group of students, Olympic and Paralympic athletes and/or young people active in sport. 

U.S. participants: 

  • 2011 – Maria Garcia Cruz (2006 speedskating Olympian)
  • 2012 – Denis Petukhov (2006 figure skating Olympian)
  • 2013 – Lars Flora (2002, 2006 nordic skiing Olympian)
  • 2014 – Stacey Cook (2006, 2010, 2014 alpine skiing Olympian)
  • 2015 – Catherine Raney Norman (1998, 2002, 2006, 2010 speedskating Olympian)
  • 2016 – Administrators from the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee and National Governing Bodies
  • 2017 – Administrators from the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee and National Governing Bodies
  • 2018 – Emily Azevedo (2010 bobsled Olympian)
  • 2019 – Mariya Koroleva (2012, 2016 synchronized swimming Olympian)

Additionally, the IOA acts as coordinator for the National Olympic Academies which are its branches, functioning as transmitters and amplifiers of the Academy's ideas by means of the National Programs of Olympic Education. There are currently 145 NOAs around the world, covering all five continents. 

For more information on the IOA, visit  IOA.org/gr.