History

The International Medalist Association (IMA) is a non-profit, 501(c) 3 corporation which was founded in 1991 and incorporated in December, 1996 by Olympians.

 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

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.