From 11th to 17th September, the German Olympic Academy (DOA) held its “Olympia Seminar” on the premises of the IOA in Ancient Olympia. 90 participants consisting of students from 10 universities as well as experts and multipliers from sports organisations, sport politics, media and academia spent an intensive week together.
Under the overall theme of a possible German Olympic bid, the German group discussed current challenges of the Olympic movement. Politics, Olympic values, financing, and environmental sustainability were the focus of the expert presentations and the debates and discussions prepared by the students.
The seminar also included cultural visits to the archaeological sites of Epidaurus, Ancient Olympia and Delphi.
The EOA was represented among the multipliers by Katrin Wallmann, Head of Olympic Education. EOA President Prof. Manfred Laemmer, who was part of the organising team in his function as DOA Board member, contributed a lecture on the myth and reality of the Ancient Olympic Games. Together with Dr. Ansgar Molzberger from the German Sport University Cologne, they also gave the students an impressive tour of the ancient sites.
Both the organisers and the students agreed that it was an all-round successful week. It was not uncommon for discussions to continue among the students after the lectures. DOA Director Gerald Fritz praised the organisation of the seminar, “All of this is only possible with a strong team. Furthermore, I am glad that by expanding the seminar with the group of multipliers, we were able to give the students further insights.”
EOA-President Manfred Laemmer was also delighted with this year’s seminar: “I have been part of the Olympic Seminar countless times – this year’s group of students was one of the best we have ever had.”
While all eyes at the DOA are now on the DOA Olympic Youth Camp in 2024, the organisers are already looking forward to the next edition of the Olympic Seminar in two years.
