Sport and Education Program: from Ancient Olympia to the Present

It is well acknowledged that the modern Olympic revival movement began, in part, as an effort to reform the educational systems of Greece, Europe and North America in light of the Classical past. According to Pierre de Coubertin, it was the ancient Greek gymnasium, with its focus on the cultivation of mind and body, which served as the inspiration and model for the modern Olympics. At the same time, the precise role that sport should continue to play in education, especially at the university level, is currently an object of intense debate and controversy.

Because the topic of sport and education is not only an object of academic interest, but also presents modern practical issues, this program will depart from traditional academic style programs, aiming to create sustained dialogue between historians, exercise scientists, sports psychologists, coaches, athletes, and students from around the world. Scholars and professionals will come together to explore the history of sport with a specific view to its future role in education. In the program, students from Europe and North America will have the opportunity to experience the archaeology of ancient Olympia while engaging in historical inquiry, philosophical debates, and hands-on practical exercises related to mind-body learning.

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7-11 July 2025

The list of faculty members for this year’s program consists of:

• Charles Stocking, Academic Director of the Sport and Education Program, Associate Professor at the Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, University of Texas at Austin, and Associate of the Center for Hellenic Studies, Harvard University
• Hans Ulrich Gumbrecht, Albert Guérard Professor in Literature, Emeritus, Stanford University, Distinguished Professor of Romance Literatures, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, and Distinguished Emeritus Professor, Universität Bonn
• Jan Todd, Fellow in the Roy J. McLean Fellowship in Sport History, Department Chair in Kinesiology and Health Education at University of Texas at Austin, and Director at the H. J. Lutcher Stark Center for Physical Culture and Sports, Austin Texas

and guest speakers:

• George Mavrotas, Secretary General of Sports, General Secretariat of Sport, Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, Hellenic Republic, Associate Professor at the National Technical University of Athens, and Former Captain of the Greek Water Polo Team
• Mark Schiefsky, C. Lois P. Grove Professor of the Classics, and Director of the Center for Hellenic Studies, Harvard University
• Erin West, Assistant Director of Athletics, Student-Athlete Development and Academic Integration, Harvard University

Thus, the unique combination of speakers, participants, and activities will allow for three major learning outcomes:

• increased historical knowledge on the Classical past and its influence today;
• new pedagogical methods;
• and new perspectives on future best practices and policies at every level of the global sport-education complex

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Provisions

• Transportation by bus from Athens to Olympia on July 7, and from Olympia to Athens on July 11 (with intermediate stops at Patras)
• Accommodation (double-occupancy rooms) and meals (breakfast, lunch) on the IOA premises (July 7-11)

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This is a non-fee-based activity, and participants will be given certificates of participation during the closing session of the Program.

Please refer to main website of the program for further details on the structure of the daily seminars, the eligibility, and the application procedure.

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20th of March 2025

English