Lithuanian Olympic Academy celebrates 35th anniversary

The European Olympic Academies (EOA) extends its heartfelt congratulations to the Lithuanian Olympic Academy (LOA) on its remarkable 35th anniversary, celebrated on October 27, 2024. For over three decades, the LOA has played a vital role in promoting Olympic ideals, fostering education, and strengthening the legacy of the Olympic Movement in Lithuania and beyond.

As part of this celebration, we are delighted to share an insightful account by LOA President and EOA Executive Board Member, Prof. Dr. Asta Šarkauskienė, who has penned a comprehensive report reflecting on the LOA’s remarkable journey over the past 35 years.

Lithuanian Olympic Academy: 35 YEARS OF PROMOTING OLYMPIC VALUES AND DEVELOPING OLYMPIC EDUCATION

This year, on October 27, we celebrated the 35th anniversary of the Lithuanian Olympic Academy’s establishment.

The founding era

The first President of the LOA was Associate Professor Dr. V. Jasiūnas, who at the time was the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs at the Lithuanian State Institute of Physical Education. In an interview with the newspaper Olimpinė viltis (Olympic Hope), he outlined the LOA’s perspective, noting that the democratically established Academy should base all its activities on the same principles of democracy, from creating its structure to achieving its main objectives. He envisioned the Academy as a gathering place for the most advanced scientific minds.

The primary goal of the Academy was defined as nurturing and promoting Olympic ideals among the Lithuanian population: the cultural heritage of the Olympic movement, the pursuit of physical and spiritual excellence, and the dissemination of scientifically grounded directions for the Olympic movement. This goal, articulated by the first president of the LOA, set the course for the Academy’s future activities.

1994 to 2013

In 1994, the second president of the LOA became Professor Dr. P. Karoblis, head of the Department of Sports Methodology at Vilnius Pedagogical University. He served as the LOA’s longest-serving President, leading the organization from 1994 to 2013. Under his leadership, the LOA actively engaged with the International Olympic Academy.

During Professor Karoblis’s tenure, the LOA became an essential platform for sports enthusiasts, researchers, and education professionals who promoted Olympic values and advocated for physical activity and healthy lifestyles. His vision and strategic decisions ensured that the Academy advanced the dissemination of Olympic ideals and established strong connections with international organizations, including the International Olympic Academy and other national Olympic academies.

Professor Karoblis placed particular emphasis on youth education through sports and learning, viewing Olympic values as one of the fundamental principles for youth development. His leadership saw the implementation of numerous projects, seminars, and conferences that fostered the growth of Olympic education and enhanced public awareness of the importance of the Olympic movement in sports and everyday life. He is the author of numerous books. One of his most significant works, The Development of the Lithuanian Olympic Academy (1989−2010) (2011), examines the key aspects of the Academy’s activities.

2013 to 2021

From 2013 to 2021, the LOA was led by Associate Professor Dr. A. Poviliūnas, a former long-term President of the Lithuanian National Olympic Committee. His tenure was marked by the consistent continuation of the LOA’s activities. Like his predecessors, Professor Poviliūnas placed significant emphasis on fostering Olympic values and engaging youth in sports and Olympic movement initiatives. While leading the LOA, he upheld the tradition of organizing important scientific conferences, seminars, and educational programs that promoted Olympic values − respect, friendship, and excellence − throughout society. He also collaborated closely with the sports community, researchers, coaches, and educators to integrate Olympic ideals into educational programs and broader societal development efforts.

During this period, the LOA actively participated in international events, and Professor Poviliūnas encouraged Lithuanian representatives to engage in global sports science and education conferences and events, thus enhancing Lithuania’s reputation within the international sports community. In 2018, the foundation of the Association of European Olympic Academies (EOA) took place in Ljubljana, and the LOA played an active role. The LOA was represented at the Congress by Council Member Professor Asta Šarkauskienė, and the organization became a member of the EOA.

Dr. A. Poviliūnas has been involved in the Lithuanian Olympic movement since its inception. Drawing on his personal memories and analyses of official documents, he authored several books of enduring significance.

Since 2021

Since February 19, 2021, the President of LOA has been Professor Dr. Asta Šarkauskienė. Since 2021, two significant international events have been organised. From August 24–26, 2022, a seminar titled “Opportunities and limits of the Olympic Movement for International Understanding and Peace in the Context of Current Time” was held in Klaipeda, co-organized by the European Olympic Academies (EOA) and the LOA. The seminar involved Eastern European countries and was attended by EOA President Professor Dr. Manfred Laemmer and presidents and representatives from eight national Olympic academies. Notably, 49 participants joined the seminar remotely.

From November 8–11, 2023, the EOA Congress took place in Vilnius, attracting delegates from 23 countries to discuss current issues in the Olympic movement. The Congress theme, “The Olympic Movement in a Changing World”, emphasized the promotion of Olympic values amidst global challenges. Discussions focused on the role of sports in modern society, its impact on youth development, and its contribution to global peace. The Congress received significant international attention, and its organization was praised as a highly professional and vital contribution to the future of the Olympic movement.

Ongoing Activities

In 2023–2024, LOA implemented the project “Healthy Body, Healthy Soul” (No. NSA-FA-NAC-2023-0007), co-funded by the Sports Support Fund administered by the National Sports Agency. The target group consisted of children aged 10 –13, with the goal of promoting moderate to vigorous physical activity and internalizing Olympic values among 480 participants using the JoyMVPA methodology and objective heart rate monitoring.

The LOA organizes two national contests. The “For the Dissemination of Olympic Ideas in Lithuania” award is named after LOA Academician Professor Karoblis, promotes research in Olympic education, disseminates Olympic heritage, highlights historical milestones in Lithuanian sports, and spreads the ideas of Olympism. In collaboration with Lithuanian universities, the LOA awards prizes to students for their outstanding final projects related to Olympic education.

The LOA continues to publish the scientific journal “Sporto Mokslas” (Sports Science), with LOA Council Member Professor Dr. K. Milašius serving as the editor-in-chief.

To preserve the memories of prominent sports scientists and Olympism advocates, the LOA Heritage Commission, led by Professor Dr. A. Vilkas and R. Mizeras, creates video documentaries showcasing their paths to professional excellence and contributions to the field.

These initiatives underscore the LOA’s ongoing commitment to fostering Olympic values, promoting physical activity, and preserving the rich legacy of Olympism for future generations. In summary, the LOA has contributed to fostering values among children and youth, promoting the holistic development of body and spirit, and advancing international collaboration within the Olympic “family”. This anniversary celebrates past achievements and compels us to strive for even greater goals in the future, strengthening Lithuania’s Olympic education traditions and contributing to the promotion of Olympic movement values on a global scale.

Professor Dr. Asta Šarkauskienė
President of the Lithuanian Olympic Academy and EOA Executive Board Member