Report from the 13th International Olympic Academy in Ancient Olympia, Greece from 1 – 7 July 2019.

The 13th International Session for Educators of Higher Institutes of Physical Education
Main Subject: Olympic Diplomacy and Peace
Special Subject: Olympic Truce as an Educational Tool for Peace

Gary Rhodes, Ph.D., Member of the International and US Pierre de Coubertin Committees and Professor, California State University at Dominguez Hills

On 1 July 2019, 61 participants along with group leaders and International Olympic Academy (IOA) staff met in Athens, Greece. We were immediately provided the message that this was not an opportunity to be alone, but an opportunity to connect with others from other countries and cultures to leave your comfort zone from home and develop a new comfort zone with other university and primary and secondary school teachers, government and non-government organization representatives from countries around the world with different languages, cultures and Olympic identities, to experience together the 13th IOA. This was supported by having participants share hotel rooms and share a group lunch and group dinner on the first day in Athens. People arrived at different times. After being picked up at the Athens airport with two other participants, we moved into our rooms and three of us, who shared a taxi from the airport, explored Athens before returning to the hotel. My hotel roommate had arrived by that time and we ate dinner with other participants at the group hotel in Athens and barriers of country, language and culture were already breaking down with the discussions about the common interest and commitment to Olympism and the deeper meaning and potential of sport, while coming from different parts of the world.

On 2 July, we ate breakfast together and 2 busses were there for the 5-hour journey by bus to Olympia. It gave us some time to relax and meet others on the bus during the ride, while viewing the beautiful Greek coastline. We were given our IOA identification badges, with a number on the back which confirmed not who would be your roommate, but only the number of the room where you would stay. Upon arrival in Olympia, everyone moved their baggage into their rooms and met the person with whom they would share a room during their stay at the IOA. Soon after arrival, we met for a group lunch and then met at the IOA Auditorium for the formal Opening Ceremony for this 13th IOA International Session for Educators of Higher Institutes of Physical Education with the Olympic Anthem and the presentation of all the lecturers and participants. The program began with lectures and follow-up questions and dialogue to start the meeting.

Welcome and Introduction, Honorary Dean, Konstantinos GEORGIADIS, Professor, University of Peloponnese

Lecture: Prof. Dr Katerina MOURATIDOU (GRE), School of Physical Education and Sport Science at Serres, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, on the subject: “Peace education as part of human rights’ education”.

Lecture: Prof. Master Daniel DE LA CUEVA (ARG), Higher Institute of Physical Education of Catamarca, on the subject: “Education for peace in the Youth Olympic Games”.

As a group, we went to the commemorative monument with the heart of Pierre de Coubertin, a short introductory speech was made and four participants read statements by Pierre de Coubertin in French and English. Wreaths were left there and also by the commemorative monument of John Ketseas and Carl Diem. When we shared that information together and took a group picture, it signaled the transition from individual participants and the focus of difference to the feeling of being part of a group and the larger Olympic Movement together at the IOA.

For those of us who were at the International Olympic Academy for the first time, there was a feeling of having the honor of connecting to the heart of the Ancient Olympics and the Modern Olympics as the IOA facility provided a utopian look and feel. I would suggest that many of us wondered what was ahead, but already, we interacted with a commitment to be part of something as a group, that would be bigger than any of us alone, this International Olympic Academy.

On 3 July, we began the day with a guided tour of the archaeological site and the museum of Ancient Olympia. We had the opportunity to explore these important areas and here more about the history of the Ancient Olympics while exploring the archaeological sites. I think that most of us felt a special attachment to Ancient Olympia as we imagined how the original structures may have looked and felt to those who participated or were part of the Ancient Olympics. Some of us even ran the length of the track, on a very hot day, in a sense, becoming connected to the Olympic history of the Ancient Olympics.

Following the tour, there were additional lectures and discussions.

Lecture: Assoc. Professor Dr Ana ZNIDAREC CUCKOVIC (CRO), University of Kinesiology, Zagreb, on the handbook: “Inclusive and innovative approaches to PE and Sport Training”.

Lecture: Mr John DORBER (GBR), Migration Consultant for the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport, Council of Europe, on the subject: “The role of Sport in the facilitation of the inclusion of migrants: a European perspective” .

Then, participants were divided into groups to develop two questions that would result in a discussion of those issues and a one-page paper and a five-minute presentation for each issue. Following those meetings, some watched a documentary movie, while others spent time talking and many walked into the town of Olympia for the evening.

On 4 July, a small group, led by the President of the International Pierre de Coubertin Committee (CIPC) Stephan Wassong got together at 5:15am and walked to the top of the Kronos hill next to the IOA to experience the sunrise over Olympia. As the sun rose over Olympia, IPCC President Wassong shared a quote by Carl Diem. It was a meaningful way to start the day with the first shaded view over the horizon as the sun rose over Olympia. The only sounds one could hear were the roosters in the distance, while imagining whether anyone watched the Ancient Games from the top of the hill where we were.

After returning to the IOA, there were additional presentations and discussions following each presentation and the morning session ended with short presentations by Participants who had submitted short papers prior to arriving at the IOA. The short presentations gave participants the opportunity to take on a limited version of the role of Leaders as they presented their ideas and information about which they had written to the group.

Lecture: Mr Thomas GIL (FRA), Interim Director of the International Committee of Francophone Games, on: “The Francophone Games”.

Lecture: Prof. Dr Li-Hong (Leo) HSU (TPE), CEO of Olympic Education Studies Society, National University of Sport of Chinese Taipei, on the subject: “The role of sports in social peace”.

In the afternoon, the International Pierre de Coubertin Committee (CIPC) was well represented with a lecture by CIPC President Wassong, providing useful information about “Pierre de Coubertin and Internationalism” as well as a background on the IPCC and ways for attendees to get involved.

Following Stephan WASSONG`s lecture Daniel del CUEVA, representing the Pierre de Coubertin Committee of Argentina (he serves as President). and Stephan WASSONG presented the publication of the Spanish version of Jean Durry`s book, El Verdadero Pierre de Coubertin, to the attendees and the Honorary Dean of the IOA. This has been a great symbol for reinforcing the important relationship between the IOA and the CIPC.

Stephan WASSONG also highlighted the important collaboration between the CIPC and the IOA, confirming that IOA`s International Session for Educators of Higher Institutes of Physical Education has always been attended by representatives from National Pierre de Coubertin Committees and Pierre de Coubertin Schools. Representatives for 2019 were: Eva Corticelli (Pierre de Coubertin School in Slovakia), Daniel de la Cueva (Pierre de Coubertin Argentina, Maria de los Angeles Camaño (Pierre de Coubertin School in Argentina), Luis Della Costa (Pierre de Coubertin Committee Brazil), Spyroula Mesariti (Pierre de Coubertin School in Cyprus), and Gary Rhodes (Pierre de Coubertin Committee USA).

A group photo of IPCC representatives at the IOA was taken:

Lecture:  Prof. Dr Stephan WASSONG (GER), Head of Institute of Sport History, German Sport University Cologne, Director of the Olympic Studies Centre, on the subject: “Pierre de Coubertin and Internationalism”.

There was a second lecture and discussion that afternoon and then we returned to our groups for our final group meeting, to complete work on our questions, written papers and group presentations.  Final texts were submitted by 18:30 that evening.

Lecture:  Dr Yoav DUBINSKY (ISR), Lundquist College of Business, University of Oregon, on the subject: “Olympic Movement: Nation branding and public diplomacy”.

July 5^th began with another set of short presentations by participants.  Following those presentations, there were presentations by each of the groups.  The process on the final working day of the 13^th International Olympic Academy supported the transition of those who began the IOA as Participants to Leaders, with both individual and group presentations that day.

Following the group presentations, the Closing Ceremony of the 13^thInternational Olympic Academy for Educators took place.  This included a presentation by Maria de los Angeles Camaño for the Participants and Daniel de la Cueva for the Program Leaders (both were also CIPC representatives) about the experiences at the IOA and the handing out of diplomas to each of the Leaders and Participants on the stage.  

The final address was given and the Olympic Anthem was again played and the speeches and interactions between all those in attendance reinforced the change from a group of individuals from different countries with different languages and cultures to not lose those attributes, but also gain a sense of community with this group who had been part of the 13^thIOA for Educators.

It is difficult to describe in words the way that the International Olympic Academy provided an opportunity to be at once at the heart of the Ancient Olympics and the heart of the Modern Olympics (that of Pierre de Coubertin) at the one time, in Ancient Olympia, Greece.  However, I think that the program which provided and the efforts of staff, leaders and participants would tell the story that heart, mind and spirit were supported through this well designed and implemented program, with intelligent, engaged and committed participants and leaders who ended the program as a very special group, who had experienced this very special experience of the Olympic Movement together.

I will conclude my report with one of the papers from my discussion group at the International Olympic Academy, which provided a background on the challenges, opportunities and potential for collaboration moving forward after the 13^thInternational Olympic Academy for Educators.  As you will see, the statements that were made by the group were translated to the languages of the group members for the written report and the verbal presentation:

From Utopia to Reality:  How to Continue to Collaborate After the 13^th IOA Ends?
International Olympic Academy Group 2

During this week, we have been honored to live and learn at the International Olympic Academy and talk with others from around the world about issues of “Olympic Diplomacy and Peace” and “Olympic Truce as an Educational Tool for Peace”.  

The philosophical and real question we need to ask ourselves is… How can teachers, professors, and coaches whose focus is on sports work together after this International Olympic Academy ends, when there may be pressure when we return home to go along with political leaders who may support conflict instead of cooperation between the countries that have been represented at the IOA.

How do we commit to concepts of Olympism, including the following statement by the IOC, to support collaboration between the people of countries who currently are in conflict?  We recognize the goal of the Olympic Movement:

“The goal of the Olympic Movement is to contribute to building a peaceful and better world by educating youth through sport practiced without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play.”

Will we still be able to communicate with all the other leaders and participants and work together to make a positive impact and further Olympism’s ideals and values with those who participated in the 2019 International Olympic Academy for Educators program as colleagues and friends on Monday after we return home?

As a Group, We Would Like to Make the Following Commitment:

1.  We recognize there have been and continue to be local, national, and global historical battles and inequities, which can make positive relationships between the people of countries challenging.  

2.  These are complex and we don’t expect that concepts of Olympism, Olympic Peace and Olympic Truce or a single Olympic and Paralympic Games or one week at the International Olympic Academy provide an easy or simple solution to all of these challenging issues.  

Polish: Proces ten jest skomplikowany i nie spodziewamy się, aby koncepcje olimpizmu, pokoju olimpijskiego i olimpijskiego rozejmu lub pojedynczych igrzysk olimpijskich i paraolimpijskich oraz jednego tygodniowego spotkania w Międzynarodowej Akademii Olimpijskiej zapewniły łatwe lub proste rozwiązanie wszystkich tych trudnych problemów.

3.  We also understand that we are here representing our countries and cultures and the special needs of our people at home, who we need to support after we return home.  Some at home will resist any ideas to support and recognize other participants from countries with which there is historical and/or current conflict.

Arabic:

4.  We recognize the challenges described above, as participants in the 13^thInternational Olympic Academy Program focused on “Olympic Diplomacy and Peace” and “Olympic Truce as an Educational Tool for Peace”.

Arabic:

5.  We are committed to leaving the International Olympic Academy and returning to our separate homes changed as a part of an Olympic family outside of our national boundaries.

Russian:  Мы с гордостью покидаем Международную олимпийскую академию и возвращаемся домой, воодушевленные быть частью олимпийской семьи за пределами наших границ. 

6.  We are athletes, coaches, students, professors, administrators, non-government organization representatives and mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, family and friends.  

Armenian:

7.  We are connected through support for Olympism and Olympic Ideals and Values and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and emphasize the important potential for sport to impact positive change.  

Albanian:  Ne jemi të lidhur nëpërmjet mbështetjes për Olimpizmin, Idealeve dhe Vlerave Olimpike si dhe Synimet e Zhvillimit të Qëndrueshëm të Kombeve të Bashkuara dhe theksojmë potencialin e rëndësishëm për sportin që të ndikojë në ndryshimet pozitive.

8.  Following the conclusion of the 13^thInternational Olympic Academy, we are committed to continue and expand our collaboration to contribute to building a peaceful and better world.

Mandarin Chinese:  在第13屆國際奧林匹克學院結業之後，我們承諾將持續拓展彼此間的合作為打造一個和平與更美好的世界做出貢獻。

9.  We will do this by working together to educate youth through sport practiced without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit.

French: Nous le ferons en travaillant ensemble pour éduquer les jeunes par le biais de sports pratiqués sans discrimination aucune et dans l’esprit olympique.

10.  The Olympic spirit requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play.  

Greek:  Ολυμπιακό πνεύμα απαιτεί αμοιβαία κατανόηση με πνεύμα φιλίας, αλληλεγγύης και αμεροληψίας.

Thank You.