The International Olympic Academy (IOA) functions as a multicultural interdisciplinary centre that aims at studying, enriching and promoting Olympism.
The IOA operates from the magnificent premises, under the ownership of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, which are situated a few hundred yards from the sacred site of Ancient Olympia. These grounds are sprawled over 900.000m2 of beautiful green and hilly countryside. The IOA’s geographical location determines its ideological identity, which is further enhanced by the choice of the same site for the erection of the commemorative stele where the heart of Pierre de Coubertin rests.
In the beginning participants lived in tents and the lectures were delivered in an outdoor area. In parallel to the sessions, works also started for the development of the site and the building of the facilities. The facilities were gradually completed and nowdays include a Conference Centre, which includes a fully equipped amphitheater, teaching rooms, a library with study areas, sports facilities like various courts for basketball, volleyball, tennis, soccer, swimming pool etc. There are also guest rooms, administration premises, restaurant, cafeteria and other facilities.
The outdoor space of the facilities also operates as an open-air sculpture museum. The monuments underline the cultural dimension of Olympism and contribute to the further cultural education of the Academy’s participants and visitors through the messages they convey.
The opportunity for participants to stay in a place that is so close to the ancient cradle of the modern Olympic Movement gives particular significance to the teaching that is offered to them by the Academy. Furthermore, the stay and the activities that these people share together for a long period gives them the possibility to communicate and make contacts over and above the scientific meetings, which many of them consider as the most important part of its operation.
In the premises in Ancient Olympia there is also the symbolic seat of the International Olympic Truce Centre.
The International Olympic Academy (IOA) functions as a multicultural interdisciplinary centre that aims at studying, enriching and promoting Olympism.
The IOA operates from the magnificent premises, under the ownership of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, which are situated a few hundred yards from the sacred site of Ancient Olympia. These grounds are sprawled over 900.000m2 of beautiful green and hilly countryside. The IOA’s geographical location determines its ideological identity, which is further enhanced by the choice of the same site for the erection of the commemorative stele where the heart of Pierre de Coubertin rests.
In the beginning participants lived in tents and the lectures were delivered in an outdoor area. In parallel to the sessions, works also started for the development of the site and the building of the facilities. The facilities were gradually completed and nowdays include a Conference Centre, which includes a fully equipped amphitheater, teaching rooms, a library with study areas, sports facilities like various courts for basketball, volleyball, tennis, soccer, swimming pool etc. There are also guest rooms, administration premises, restaurant, cafeteria and other facilities.
The outdoor space of the facilities also operates as an open-air sculpture museum. The monuments underline the cultural dimension of Olympism and contribute to the further cultural education of the Academy’s participants and visitors through the messages they convey.
The opportunity for participants to stay in a place that is so close to the ancient cradle of the modern Olympic Movement gives particular significance to the teaching that is offered to them by the Academy. Furthermore, the stay and the activities that these people share together for a long period gives them the possibility to communicate and make contacts over and above the scientific meetings, which many of them consider as the most important part of its operation.
In the premises in Ancient Olympia there is also the symbolic seat of the International Olympic Truce Centre.
[Sources: International Olympic Academy, @ioaofficial]