The 2024 annual Congress and General Assembly of the Association of the European Olympic Academies (EOA) will be hosted by the Hellenic Olympic Academy and the International Olympic Academy, at the IOA premises in Ancient Olympia. This decision was unanimously taken by the EOA Board during the EOA Congress, held from 8^th to 11^th November in Vilnius, Lithuania. The event was successfully hosted by the Lithuanian Olympic Academy (LOA) and attended by delegates from 22 European Olympic Academies, along with guests and representatives from the IOC, the IOA and the EOC.

The IOA President, Mr Isidoros Kouvelos, through a video message, underlined the significance of the Olympic Values education to the global community and the key role of the NOAs for the inspiration of young people towards a fairer world.  Taking advantage of the Congress theme “The Olympic Movement in a changing world”, the IOA President stated: “Our mission is more important than ever now!  Every challenge comes with opportunities and risks. And all of you, dear NOA members, have proved that you can manage risks. I would like to thank you all for your excellent work, throughout all these years, your spirit and your devotion to our mission”.

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During his short address to the European NOAs, the new Director of the IOA, Dr Makis Asimakopoulos, representing the IOA on-site, along with the NOAs Relations Manager of the IOA, Ms Alexandra Karaiskou, also had the chance to stress the importance of building bridges among the NOAs with regard to the Olympic Education. He specifically highlighted the IOA’s intention to provide a clear framework for the enhancement of the NOAs’ role within and beyond the Olympic Movement. He finally expressed his sincere thanks to the President of the LOA, Ms Asta Sarkauskiene, for their excellent hospitality in the city of Vilnius, as well as to the EOA President, Prof. Manfred Laemmer, for the great organization of the Congress.

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On the whole, the Congress focused on lectures to human rights and autonomy of sports, while a roundtable debate on the topic of an EOA-led Erasmus+ project “Building European Safe Sport Together” (BESST) gave to the delegates of the NOAs some great insights on safeguarding within sports.  Also, the NOA delegates, amongst them Prof. Dionyssis Gangas, as the EOA Good Governance Officer, had the opportunity to reflect on presentations that were held on the vast number of resources provided by the IOC Olympic Studies Centre, as well as the function and work of the NOAs. More specifically, insights were given on sharing best practices, future strategic developments with regard to their institutional environment and financial autonomy. 

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After the conclusion of the Congress, during the 6^th EOA General Assembly, the members of the European Olympic Academies approved the admission of four new NOAs to its institution and confirmed modifications to the EOA Statute. The Congress was rounded by interesting cultural features and the first awards ceremony, where the Ukrainian Olympic Academy received the award for the best Olympic Education project, the Czech Olympic Academy was honoured for the best Olympic Heritage project and Mr Ales Solar, the first treasurer of the EOA, awarded with the Medal of Merit for his significant contribution to the establishment of the EOA._