ART dance troupe performing on the marble steps of the Academy.
By Philip Barker
Thomas Bach described the International Olympic Academy as “the bridge that connects us to our past and carries the Olympic spirit into the future,” as he cut the ribbon to formally re-open the buildings this week after extensive renovations.
Bach first visited the IOA when a member of the newly formed IOC Athletes’ Commission in 1982.
“It still seems to me that it was only yesterday, that I was sitting on this lawn here with so many other young people from across the globe,” he recalled.
He had earlier laid a wreath at the monument to Baron Pierre de Coubertin who had been the driving force behind the revival of the Olympic Games.
Coubertin’s heart was interred in the marble column or stele, in 1938.
“If you listen closely, I am sure you can even hear the heart of Coubertin beating a little bit faster today,” said Bach.
“Coubertin saw the Olympic Games as much more than just a sporting event. He wanted to make a better place through sport; this remains the mission. The Academy plays a central role to carry these values to the future.”
The IOA had been the dream of Pierre de Coubertin himself, but had not come to fruition until 1961, thanks to the efforts of German sports teacher Carl Diem and Greek IOC member Ioannis Ketseas.
Originally, participants lived in tents on the hillside but in the late sixties, permanent buildings went up on the site.
The 18-month renovation programme, masterminded by former Hellenic Olympic Committee Secretary Dionyssis Gangas, had included a modernisation of accommodation on the site, conference rooms, dining hall, library sports facilities and an upgraded water filtering and sewage system.
The plans also included improved access for wheelchairs.
It was bankrolled by an IOC grant of 12.5 million Euros.
The Ceremony was attended by Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou who told a gathering which included IOC Executive Board members and Academics from the Olympic world, that the IOA was an “International forum in the spirit of solidarity and mutual respect.”
“Without this support, it would have been impossible to carry out a restoration project of this scale,” HOC President Spyros Capralos admitted.
“The International Olympic Academy, with its new, renewed profile, will continue its educational work unhindered, aimed at spreading Olympism.”
Bach presented the IOC President’s Trophy to IOA President Isidoros Kouvelos. The trophy is traditionally awarded to groups who make a significant scholarly contribution to the Olympic Movement.
“I feel very grateful that, from the very first moment, the IOC President trusted this vision and expressed his willingness to walk with us,” Kouvelos said.
The celebratory programme featured “Nymphes” by the ART Dance Theatre company on the steps of the Academy premises.
The routine was choreographed by Artemis Ignatiou with music by Yiannis Psimadas. Both have leading roles in the Flame Lighting ceremonies.
The Athens string quartet performed “Arkadikos” and “Kleftikos,” and soprano Vasiliki Karagianni sang an aria from Vincenzo Bellini’s opera Norma.
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