Brazilian Olympic Studies Forum and the III Pierre de Coubertin Latin American Symposium were held from 21 to 23 October 2021 online with the support of the International Pierre de Coubertin Committee (IPCC). The events were hosted by the Olympic Studies Research Group of the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS) and were organized by the Brazilian Pierre de Coubertin Committee and the Latin American Centre for Coubertinian Studies (CENTRO).  

These events provided opportunities for debates on relevant, contemporary topics in Olympic Studies, as well as on different perspectives of Pierre de Coubertin’s life and work within the context of Latin America and the world. 

The Official Opening of Events was attended by Prof. Dr. Stephan Wassong (GER), President of the IPCC, who made reference to the development of the Olympic Movement, according to the needs of each historic period, and the importance of the work of Pierre de Coubertin in consolidating the cornerstone of his Olympic idea. The solemn session was also attended by Luciano Castro (BRA), Dean of the PUCRS School of Health and Life Sciences, Jorge Bichara (BRA), Sports Director of the Olympic Committee of Brazil and Prof. Nelson Todt (BRA), IPCC Corresponding Member for Latin America and coordinator of these events. 

Prof. Kostas Georgiadis (GRE) was the keynote speaker at the Forum and lectured on the OLYMPIC AGENDA 2020 + 5: THE STRATEGIC ROADMAP FOR 2025.  

For the III Symposium, the keynote speaker was Mr. Jean Durry (FRA), IPCC Vice-President, who made a presentation on PIERRE DE COUBERTIN THE VISIONARY. 

Both events were attended by members of National Pierre de Coubertin Committees of Latin American countries: Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Perú, Guatemala:  Daniel de la Cueva (ARG), Lamartine DaCosta (BRA), Alvaro Díaz (PER), Héctor Horacio Henry (URU) Laura Moreira (CRC), Tomás Bolaño (COL). IPCC member Helen Brownlee, Australia, enriched the event by sharing her knowledge and experience presenting a lecture on OLYMPISM: CHALLENGES OF THE PATHS BETWEEN IDEALISM AND INSTRUMENTALISM . 

Elvira Ramini, IPCC Secretary General, monitored the presentation of the IPCC Vice-President, Mr. Jean Durry.  

This important academic exchange in Olympic studies is increasingly expanding in Latin America. The witness of this explosion are the 61 presentations by undergraduate and graduate students and world known international researchers in the field of Olympic studies: 34 panelists from 17 countries.   

The recordings of the events can be found on the YouTube page of the Brazilian Pierre de Coubertin Committee – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVb300zGbAVHN3-TiANO8uw/videos