Ratko Rudic (WWPCA Director on the Board) is among the nominees for the new IOC Coach Lifetime Achievement Award. By assigning that award, the International Olympic Committee aims to recognise the importance of coaches, their outstanding achievements and contributions to Olympians’ lives and to the Olympic Movement.
The nominations had to be submitted by Olympians, International Federations, National Olympic Committees, members of the IOC Athletes’ and Athletes’ Entourage Commissions and IOC Members by 15th September 2017: Rudic’s nomination was made by HVS(Croatian Waterpolo Federation) along with Jadran Split and Croatian Olympic Committee.
Ratko Rudic could win the new IOC award just for his extraordinary career, that in 2007 brought him into the International Swimming Hall of Fame: among all the victories, we could just mention the 9 participations in the Olympic Games and the four gold medals, that he won with three different national teams (Jugloslavia in 1984 and 1988, Italy in 1992 and Croatia in 2012).
The Coaches Lifetime Achievement Awards will be awarded by a commission chaired by the track ’n’ field legend Sergey Bubka. “We are delighted to launch the first IOC Coaches Lifetime Achievement Awards following a recommendation from the IOC Athletes’ Entourage Commission – Bubka said -. As IOC, we place athletes at the heart of our work, and coaches are key members of the entourage who demonstrate this on a daily basis. This award recognises the fundamental role of coaches and the importance they have in an athlete’s life to support their career both on and off the field of play.”
Good luck Ratko!!!