Activities of LOC

The Latvian Olympic Committee together with the government institutions participates in the development and implementation of the national sport and education policies, introduction of the youth sport competition system and improvement of the sport infrastructure.

Over 200 best Latvian athletes are resolutely training for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad in Beijing (2008) and the XXI Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver (2010). In 1994 the Latvian Olympic Team was founded to assist athletes in achieving good results in international competitions, especially in the Olympic Games. The IOC Olympic Solidarity Programme also supports the training of those Latvian athletes who are to participate in the Beijing Olympic Games.

The Latvian Youth Olympiads in winter and summer sports have been held since 1992. In Latvia they are the only sport competitions for young people that are based on Olympic principles and traditions.

The best young athletes participate in the European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF), in which Latvia debuted in 1993.

In 2004 the I Latvian Summer Olympiad for adults was held, to be followed by the I Latvian Winter Olympiad in december 2005.

The Latvian Olympic Committee pursues the regional development programme. Nine regional Olympic centres were founded in Latvia to promote the Olympic ideas and facilitate sport development in major administrative areas. Four Olympic sport centres were built during ten years. Other major sport facilities are under construction.

The Latvian Olympic Academy has been working since 1989. Considerable support is rendered to studies in the history of Olympic Games, education and promotion of the Olympic movement.

In 1996 the Latvian Olympic Social Foundation started its activities aimed at providing support to veteran athletes. The Foundation is headed by the two-time Olympic basketball champion Iuliaka Semjonova. Latvian Olympians Club with the Olympic champion Inese Jaunzeme as its President helps the Olympians find suitable occupation after their sport career is over, and is also actively involved in environmental issues.

	1. President of the Republic of Latvia Valdis Zatlers (left) and President of the Latvian Olympic Committee Aldons Vrublevskis
	2. Viktors Scerbatihs, Olympic silver medal in weightlifting, Athens (2004) and Olympic bronze medal in Beijing (2008)
	3. Jelena Rublevska, Olympic silver medal in modern pentathlon, Athens (2004)
	4. Maris Strombergs, World Champion in BMX (2008)
	5. Jelena Prokopcuka, two-time winner of the New-York City Marathon (2005, 2006)
	6. Olympic vice-champion (2004) Vadims Vasilevskis
	7. Ilmars Bricis, 4th place in biathlon, Olympic Winter Games, Turin (2006)
	8. Latvian ice hockey team, participants in Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City (2002), Turin (2006)
	9. Martins Rubenis, Olympic bronze medal in luge, Turin (2006)
	10. Latvian bobsleigh team, pilot Janis Minins
	11. Torch of the Latvian Youth Olympiad
	12. Opening of the Latvian Youth Olympiad
	13. Summer sports competitions at the Latvian Youth Olympiad
	14. Winter sports competitions at the Latvian Youth Olympiad
	15. Latvian Olympic Youth team at the European Youth Olympic Festival in Jaca (2007)
	16. Olympic Day Run
	17. Sport for all. Race of Unity
	18. Vidzeme Olympic Centre, Valmiera (2005)
	19. Olympic Sport Centre, Riga (2005)
	20. Olympic Centre „Ventspils” (1997)
	21. Girls’ Camp “I want it. I can do it. I do it.” supported by Olympic Solidarity Programme (2005)
	22. Latvian Annual sports award
	23. Olympic Social Foundation support sport veterans
	24. Olympians Club is involved in sport and environmental programmes
	25. Three Latvian Olympic champions Inese Jaunzeme, Iuliaka Semjonova and Janis Lusis are involved in “Olympic legacy” programme
	26. “The Olympic History of Latvia” (2004)
	27. Olympic education programme www.olimpiade.lv/abc
	28. Olympic Competition of children drawings