When I commenced my MEMOS in the year 2016, I had already been working with our NOC for 20 years during which I had been mainly involved in the OS department activities. Being directly engaged in my fellow-colleagues’ paper works and formalities for MEMOS had given me a strong passion to become one of the volunteers myself despite being uncertain of making it successfully. As long as, I participated in the Advanced Sport Management Courses Program Director course and had the opportunity of meeting some MEMOS tutors including Thierry Zints, OS personnel as well as MEMOS graduates for the first time. I never forget my conversation with of the MEMOS tutors, professor Leigh Robinson, who asked me during lunch the reason as to not applying for MEMOS, and when got informed about my worries, she remarked: “you can definitely pass it”. Upon my return from Lausanne, I began enrolling for MEMOS following the approval of our NOC President & Secretary General. My acceptance for MEMOS XIX under the supervision of professor Thierry Zints opened a new window for me in terms of cooperating with the Olympic Movement cause. 20 years of working experience, planning for implementation of hundreds of educational and management courses, particularly OS ones, in our NOC lacked a piece of jigsaw puzzle i.e. MEMOS.

This invaluable experience gave me the opportunity to exchange views with other sports administrators worldwide and take more confident steps towards my objectives. I found the answers to many of my questions and managed to successfully face with lots of challenges on the way. This course, I believe, is a necessary probationary period and pre-requisite for those who intend to work effectively within the Olympic Movement.

Although my project subject had already been selected by my organization, which turned out to be a very challenging one during my work, I subsequently realized that any study or research within the framework of my job in the Olympic Movement could have its own value and importance.

The interesting point is that until now my working experience in the NOC primarily focuses on management in OSOs, coaching/ technical courses, athletes support and Olympic values programs, but I did my project on NOA performance/strategic plan. Taken this matter into account, I had always had great concern if my project could come to fruition. About 10 mounts ago, after 23 years, owing to certain reasons and new challenges in OS department, I decided to continue working in NOA where opportunity knocked for me to put into practice my learnings in this domain, and subsequently proposed to work in OVEP field. It was owing to my theoretical & practical learning and experiences that I managed to make a considerate progress in National Olympic Academy in less than 6 months.

At the present time, I am a PhD student getting my major in OSOs Sports Management working on National Olympic Athletes Career Transition as my thesis. It is worth mentioning that my prior communications and familiarity with various OSOs participants (MEMOS Course) provided me with an excellent and effective opportunity in advancing many decision-makings and affairs entrusted for me. I am really grateful to all of them who facilitated our access to a great wealth of information and experiences related to OSOs.

My special appreciation and praise go to all OS experts and officials in management section as well as MEMOS tutors specially Prof. Thierry Zintz whose transfer of knowledge and ever-ready approach to our endless questions deserve my utmost appreciation.

In the spirit of MEMOS, I am ready to share my experiences with other MEMOSIANS addressing similar projects in their country. Email: hastinahid@yahoo.com

Nahid Karimi

MEMOS XIX in English

National Olympic Committee of IRAN – March 2020