The Commission for the International Olympic Academy (IOA) and Olympic Education was first formed in 1967, with Danish International Olympic Committee (IOC) Member Ivar Vind as the first chairman. This Commission oversaw the IOA in Olympia, Greece, and the Commission had as its mission following the activities of the IOA, contributing to the success of the IOA, receiving the periodical reports of IOA Sessions, and keeping the IOC informed of the progress of the IOA. This Commission also helped promote Olympic Education by spreading the message of Olympism. In addition to IOC members, the IOA/Education Commission had representatives from the National Olympic Committees, International Federations, and former Olympic athletes, as well as several academic scholars, usually sports historians or sociologists.
The original name of this commission was the Commission for the International Olympic Academy, but the name was enlarged in 1993, reflecting the increased emphasis on Olympic Education. Upon the recommendations of the IOC 2000 Commission, the Commission for the International Olympic Academy and Olympic Education was merged with the Cultural Commission in early 2000.
The charge for this commission was to develop links between sport and culture in all its forms, encourage cultural exchange and promote the diversity of cultures. It helps organize special events and with the National Olympic Committees, develops Olympic education programs. The commission was rename to the Culture and Olympic Heritage Commission under President Thomas Bach’s tenure. Its mission was previously described by the IOC as: “The Commission for Culture and Olympic Education advises the IOC on the promotion of culture and Olympic education and supports the IOC programmes and activities related to the education of youth through sport.” This commission was renamed and subsumed within the new Culture and Olympic Heritage Commissions.