The first semester of the Μaster’s Degree Programme “Olympic Studies, Olympic Education, Organisation and Management of Olympic Events” has already been underway since mid-September. A new Olympic Studies cycle has begun, with one more academic year to be added to the previous nine years of unique multicultural educational experience.

During the academic year 2017–2018, the MSc was reestablished, adapting its subject matter to current educational challenges.As an innovative educational programme, it is based on methods aimed at the development of sporting, social and moral skills and an aesthetic sense, together with the cultivation of a humanistic and democratic awareness.Starting from the history and philosophy of sport, special emphasis is placed on Olympic pedagogy and, in particular, the establishment and implementation of Olympic Education programmes in schools. The organisation and management of the Olympic Games and of major sporting events in general, sports marketing and matters related to Olympic sponsoring, constitute a large part of the programme.After a one year “break”, the Master’s Degree Programme has energetically resumed, with 29 students from 22 different countries. Starting in Athens, and with visits to Nafplion, Epidauros and Mycenae, the students were given a first taste of ancient Greek civilisation.On September 15, the students arrived at the welcoming premises of the International Olympic Academy (IOA) in Ancient Olympia. In a warm atmosphere on September 20 and in the presence of theInternational Olympic Academy President, Isidoros Kouvelos, they attended the official opening ceremony of the Programme, after which they were eager to begin work on issues relating to Olympism and the Olympic Movement.Present as always at the students’ side was Professor Konstantinos Georgiadis, Director of the Master’s Degree Programme, who briefed them on the history of the Academy and the educational programmes it develops, placing emphasis on the establishment of the MSc course as a means for promoting the Olympic Movement.

Participants in the programme are given the opportunity to experience Olympism in a multicultural environment, where special interactions of friendship and mutual respect are created.Even after ten years of operation, the programme is still innovative for the Olympic Movement internationally, being the only programme that offers a holistic and multidisciplinary approach to the fields associated with Olympic Studies.It supports the values of the Olympic Movement, echoing the words of Pierre de Coubertin: “The future of civilisation rests at this moment neither on political nor on economic bases. It depends solely on the direction which will be given to education.”It must be noted that a growing interest is being shown in the programme especially by previously unrepresented countries. For instance, this year six more countries have been added, bringing to 96 the number of the students’ countries of origin, and the total number of students to 276.The MSc aims at producing qualified individuals who will promote internationally the development of Olympic education programmes and education programmes in general, bolstering dialogue between young people from different cultural backgrounds.These programmes will also help them to develop dispute-resolution skills and educate trainers in matters related to democratic dialogue and the Olympic truce, social peace, reform and the strengthening of social cohesion.

Furthermore, the Programme aims at creating projects that will become focal points for social development in terms of poverty eradication, gender equality, health promotion, combatting diseases, ensuring environmental sustainability, respecting diversity etc.Beginning in the academic year 2013–2014, the MSc has been supported by scholarships granted by Olympic Solidarity of the International Olympic Committee. The implementation of the Master’s Degree Programme began nine years ago, thanks to the John S. Latsis Foundation’s sponsorship during the first four years, followed by the sponsorship of Olympiacos FC, and now with the sponsorship of Μ/Maritime.The reintroduction of the Master’s Degree Programme marks a new era and also the tenth year of its operation, underlining the need for such a programme in a country where the pillars of education and sport struggle to keep their foundations firm. The result justifies such effort, since it demonstrates that it has been obtained through the hard work, persistence and effectiveness of everyone involved.