OLY (/ˌoʊɛlˈwaɪ/ OH-el-WY)[1] are post-nominal letters granted by the World Olympians Association (WOA) to registered athletes who have participated in the Olympic Games.
In addition to the letters, athletes will receive a World Olympians Association certificate celebrating their achievements when they apply for the post-nominals.
The initiative is open to all athletes who have competed at the games and who uphold the values and practices of the Olympic Charter and the World Olympians Association Code of Conduct.
IOC president and gold-medalist fencer Thomas Bach was the first athlete to be granted use of the post-nominal initials.
[5] WOA President Joël Bouzou told Around the Rings: "It's time to recognize becoming an Olympian is like becoming a PhD.