Olympic legend to provide support to his countrymen and women

TORONTO, CANADA (November 26, 2009) – Right To Play President, CEO and founder Johann Olav Koss has been engaged by the Norwegian Olympic Committee as Assistant Coach for the Norwegian National Speed Skating Team’s 2009-2010 season. Koss will join new Head Coach Jarle Pedersen, also appointed today, after former coach Peter Muller was released earlier this week.

“I am happy to be able to draw on my previous experience that will allow me to contribute to the Norwegian Speed Skating Federation,” says Koss, a four-time Olympic gold medalist and a legendary Norwegian speed skater. Given his background, and that he is based in Canada, Koss was asked by the Federation to provide additional support during this critical time, and he will be working closely with the national team in the lead up to the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games.

”I hope to help the skaters maintain their focus on the sport and on their goals for the upcoming competitions and the Olympic Games in Vancouver,” Koss says. “This is an exceptional opportunity to be involved in something that is near and dear to my heart and I am honoured that I have been asked to take on this role.”

Earlier this year, Koss spoke with a group of 95 Canadian Olympic hopefuls and 93 coaches, team leaders and other support members as part of the Olympic Excellence Series which prepares athletes for success by providing practical skills and strategies for the upcoming Games and inspires and motivates them in their quest for the podium. In addition, Koss has met with some of Canada’s Olympic hopefuls, from speed skaters to the women’s hockey team and the women’s alpine ski team, and provided insight and advice on how to prepare for an Olympics on home turf.

Koss remains dedicated to his work at Right To Play throughout this time. He will continue to be based in Toronto, Canada and will spend some additional time in Calgary with the team in the lead up to the Games. The Right To Play leadership team will take on some of Koss’ day-to-day responsibilities through to the end of the Games. Right To Play executives, Board members and staff are supportive of this opportunity and prepared to provide additional assistance to the organization as may be required.

About Johann Olav Koss

Johann Olav Koss made world headlines when he won three Gold Medals at the 1994 Lillehammer Games in the 1,500-, 5,000- and 10,000-metre events. Over the course of his career, he broke a total of 11 world records, won three World All-round Championships, and was named Sports Illustrated magazine's Sportsman of the Year in 1994. He went on to found the international humanitarian organization Right To Play in 2000, pioneering the Sport for Development movement by working to ensure that children all over the world are given the opportunity to benefit from the power of sport and play.

About Right To Play

Right To Play is an international humanitarian organization that uses sport and play programs to improve health, develop life skills, and foster peace for children and communities in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the world. Working in both the humanitarian and development context, Right To Play builds local capacity by training community leaders as Coaches to deliver its programs in 23 countries affected by war, poverty, and disease in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and South America. Founded in 2000, Right To Play is headquartered in Toronto, Canada and has national offices in Canada, Norway, The Netherlands, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The national offices raise funds, build awareness for Right To Play programs and advocate for Sport for Development. 

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For more information, please contact:

Laura Currie
Director, International Communications
Right To Play International
Tel: 416-498-1922, ext. 204
lcurrie@righttoplay.com