In 2025, the EOA Congress moves to the historic city of Prague, a place with a rich Olympic heritage and a long tradition of intellectual and cultural exchange. From October 6 to 10, the Czech Olympic Academy will host the 7th EOA Congress, bringing together representatives from National Olympic Academies, academics, and experts from across Europe.
“CURRENT ISSUES AND DEVELOPMENTS OF THE OLYMPIC MOVEMENT“
Commemorating the Olympic Congress in Prague, 1925: Lasting Legacy and Ongoing Challenges
The Olympic Movement faces an era of rapid change. Debates around integrity, safeguarding, inclusion, and sustainability coincide with new challenges such as emerging competitions, shifting expectations of youth, and the impact of digitalisation on sport and society. At the same time, the Olympic ideals remain a vital compass for education, cooperation, and fair play. Against this backdrop, the 7th EOA Congress in Prague will provide a forum to explore pressing issues, exchange good practices, and chart possible pathways for the future. With contributions from experts, practitioners, and Olympic institutions, the Congress will highlight how National Olympic Academies can strengthen their role as drivers of Olympic education and values in Europe.
Schedule
All times in Central European Time (CET)
Monday, 06 October 2025
| All day | Arrival and regestration of participants |
| 16.00 | EOA Executive Board Meeting |
| 18:00 | Conference Opening Welcome Addresses by Alexandr Kliment, President, Czech Olympic Academy José Manuel Araújo, Chair C&E Commission, European Olympic Committees Prof. Charilaos Tsolakis, President, International Olympic Academy Prof. Manfred Laemmer, President, European Olympic Academies |
| 19.00 | Welcome Dinner |
Tuesday, 07 October 2025
| 9:00 | Session I – Part 1 : Olympic Education – New Challenges and Perspectives Maria Bogner (Head of Olympic Studies Centre, IOC): “Updates from the Olympic Studies Centre’s initiatives, publications and network” Roisin McGettigan (Irish Olympians Association, Ireland): “New Pathways in Olympic Education – The Dare to Believe Programme” |
| 11.00 | Session I – Part 2 : Gender Equity and Eligibility in Women’s Sport Madeleine Pape (Australian Olympian, University of Lausanne): “How Do we Decide who Competes in Women’s Sport” Ilona Burgrova (Czech Olympian, Consultant for Gender Equity): “From Symbol to System: Women Shaping Olympic Leadership.” |
| 13:00 | Working Lunch |
| 14.00 | Panel discussion with EOA Commission Heads Introduction of their work, key experiences and upcoming goals. |
| 14:30 | Practice-oriented workshops held by the EOA Commissions “News and Social Media – Engaging Young Audiences with Traditional Content” Chair: Alexandr Kliment (Czech Olympic Academy) “Olympic Education: Tools and Practices across Europe” Chair: Eda Caushi (Albanian Olympic Academy) & Yarden Har Lev (NOC of Israel) “Olympic Heritage and Digital Tools: Preserving the Past, Engaging the Future” Chair: Anita Sterea (Romanian Olympic and Sports Committee) “Building Safer Sporting Environments: Cross-Continental Dialogues and Commitments” Chair: Dr. Barbara Petri (ANOF) & Georgios Korellis (NOC of Cyprus) |
| 19:30 | Gala dinner and EOA Flame Awards Presentation Location: The Tyrs House, Újezd 450/40, 118 01 Malá Strana Zdenék Skoda (Vice-President, Czech Olympic Academy): “A Milestone in Olympic History: The Olympic Congress 1925 in Prague” In attendance: Jiří Kejval (President, Czech Olympic Committee), Roman Kumpošt (Vice-President, Czech Olympic Committee), Martin Chlumský (Mayor of Sokol) |
Wednesday, 08 October 2025
| 09.00 | Session II – Part 1 : Enhanced Games: A Threat to Olympic Values? Michael Behr (NADA Germany, Director Education Department): “Enhanced Games through the Lens of Anti-Doping Education” Prof. Jim Parry (University of Leeds, UK; FTVS, Charles Uni): “Enhanced Games from the Ethical Perspective” |
| 11.00 | Session II – Part 2 : Presentation of National and European Projects Soenke Schadwinkel, Bastian Grueger (EOA) Alexandr Kliment, Zdenék Skoda (COA) |
| 13.00 | Working Lunch |
| 14.00 | Practice-oriented workshops “Enhanced Games through the Lens of Anti-Doping Education” Chair: Michael Behr (German Antidoping Agency): “Seven years of EOA: reflecting our impact and progress” Soenke Schadewinkel (Senior Advisor, EOA): “EOA as a Beacon of Olympic Education in Europe: Building Bridges with Universities and Schools” Chair: Dr. Clea Hadjistephanou-Papaellina (Board Member, EOA) Guest: Prof. Dr. Rares Stanescu (Vice President, ICSSPE) “EOA Projects in Focus – EU Co-Funded Programmes” – SOPROS (Athletes’ Social Protection in Olympic Sports) – BESST 2.0 (Building European Safe Sport Together) – Integrity Atlas – Exploring pathways for future EU projects with European NOAs Chair: Soenke Schadwinkel & Bastian Grueger (EOA) |
| 20:00 | Cultural Dinner in the Centre of Prague FUZE Na Florenci 2139/2, 110 00 Prague 1 |
Thursday, 09 October 2025
| 09.00 | Session III : Women in Olympic Leadership: A New Era? Sylvia Schenk (Member IOC Advisory Committee on Human Rights) |
| 11.00 | 8th EOA General Assembly |
| 13.00 | Working Lunch |
| 15:00 | Prague Guided Tour |
| 19:00 | Individual Programme |
Friday, 10 October 2025
| All day | Departure of participants |
Confirmed Organisations
National Olympic Academies
- Albanian Olympic Academy
- Andorran Olympic Academy
- Armenian National Olympic Academy
- Austrian Olympic Academy
- National Olympic Academy of Azerbaijan
- Belgian Olympic and Interfederal Committee
- Croatian Olympic Academy
- Cyprus National Olympic Academy
- Czech Olympic Academy
- French Olympic Academy
- German Olympic Academy
- Hellenic Olympic Academy
- Hungarian Olympic Academy
- National Olympic Academy of Ireland
- Israel Olympic Academy
- National Olympic Academy of Italy
- Kosovo Olympic Academy
- Latvian Olympic Academy
- Liechtenstein Olympic Academy
- Lithuanian Olympic Academy
- Maltese Olympic Academy
- Olympic Academy of Moldova
- NOC*NSF – NOA of Netherlands
- Portuguese Olympic Academy
- Romanian Olympic Academy
- Olympic Academy of Serbia
- Slovak Olympic Academy
- Slovenian Olympic Academy
- Olympic Academy of Ukraine
Observers/Partners
- International Olympic Committee (IOC)
- European Olympic Committees (EOC)
- International Olympic Academy (IOA)
- European Fair Play Movement (EFPM)
- International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education (ICSSPE)
- Association des Académies Nationales Olympiques d’Afrique (AANOA)
