Cyprus: The foundation and the historical development by the NOA of Cyprus

The first important step for the dissemination of the values ​​of Olympism in Cyprus was taken on 2 September 1986 when the board of the Cyprus National Olympic Committee decided to establish the National Olympic Academy of Cyprus. On March 30, 1987 the Academy was established with a formal ceremony taking place at the Hilton Hotel. The event was attended by the President of the Republic Spyros Kyprianou, the Archbishop of Cyprus Chrysostomos I and the President of the International Olympic Academy (IOA) Nikos Filaretos.

On May 27 and 28, 1987 at the “Filoxenia” hotel the 1st Session of the National Olympic Academy of Cyprus took place, setting an historic moment for Olympism on the island. Otto Simicek (IOA Dean), Cleanthis Georgiades (Cyprus NOC member and Athletics Federation chairman), Stavros Tziortzis (1972 Olympic finalist), Andreas Hadjivasiliou (CSO official), Cleanthis Palaiologos (honorary general director of the Athens Physical Education Academy) and Kostas Hadjistefanou (Director of the Archbishop Makarios III Foundation) were the first speakers. The names of all the people who participated in the session that weekend, a total of one hundred and sixty-nine, are recorded in the album released after the event.

The main objectives of the National Olympic Academy of Cyprus, which is a part of the Cyprus National Olympic Committee, are: Olympic education, the dissemination of Olympic values, the implementation of the social and pedagogical principles of Olympism as established by the IOC, as well as cooperation with the IOC, the IOA and all the sporting authorities so that the moral values ​​of the Olympic Idea are maintained.

The work of the Academy is achieved through a variety of actions, including the following:

  • Monitor the activities of the IOA and maintaining contact through the Cyprus NOC.
  • Choose and prepare the delegates for the IOA Sessions.
  • Organize seminars, meetings, lectures and festivals within the framework of the Academies’ sessions.
  • Produce and distribute informational material about Olympism.
  • Publish books and other materials of Olympic content.

The main action of the academy is to organize sessions and seminars. The annual session covers topics related to Olympism, Olympic Movement and the Olympic Games. In this context, during the thirty years of the operation of the Cyprus Olympic Academy, important Olympic personalities from around the world have contributed and presented their stories which are currently published in booklets.

In addition to the annual events, the Academy also organizes extraordinary sessions, which deal with issues related to Olympism, the local society, fair play, sports for all, violence, racism, etc.

Starting from 2012, the Pancyprian Students Conference is also organized; an event that brings together students from various schools in Cyprus.

The current chairman of the National Olympic Academy of Cyprus is Dinos Michaelides, also the current chairman of the Cyprus National Olympic Committee. Mr. Michaelides was one of the forerunners of the important effort that began in 1987 and continues his strong evolvement to this day. Currently, the dean of the Academy is the director of the Cyprus NOC, Olga Piperidou Chrysafi.

News from Cyprus Olympic Committee: https://www.olympic.org/news/news-from-the-cyprus-olympic-committee

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