CISM and IOA renew Academic Partnership in Athens
ATHENS (GRE) - The International Military Sports Council (CISM) and the International Olympic Academy (IOA) reinforced their long-standing academic cooperation today with the official renewal of their Protocol of Academic Understanding at the IOA Headquarters in Athens.
The meeting brought together senior representatives from both institutions. CISM was represented by its President, Colonel Nilton Gomes Rolim Filho, Secretary General Navy Captain Roberto Recchia, and CISM HQ Academic Director Commander Florentia Sfakianou. The Greek Delegation to CISM was represented by Captain (ret.) Spyridon Andriopoulos, Chief of the Greek Delegation to CISM, Lt Colonel Georgios Chasanakos, Director of the Supreme Sports Council of the Hellenic Armed Forces, and Police Warrant Officer Sofia Andriopoulou.
On the IOA side, participants included IOA President Prof. Charilaos Tsolakis, IOA Director Dr Makis Asimakopoulos, Advisor to the IOA President and Development Projects Consultant Dr Dionyssis Gangas, and Head of Marketing and Communications Ms Stella Tachtara and members of the IOA staff.
The renewed Protocol of Academic Understanding, signed in Athens on 3 March 2026, reaffirms the shared commitment of CISM and the IOA to promote sport, Olympic Education, research, and knowledge dissemination at national and international levels. The document outlines a strengthened framework for cooperation in the fields of sport management and history, physical education, kinesiology, health sciences, and related disciplines.
A highlight of the meeting was the presentation by the CISM President of the official certificate recognizing the IOA President, Professor Tsolakis as an ex officio CISM Academy member. This symbolic gesture further solidifies institutional ties between the IOA and the CISM Academy and underscores the importance of educational leadership within military sport.
Discussions focused on several strategic areas of collaboration. Both institutions agreed to deepen cooperation in research initiatives, including academic projects linked to major international events such as the 2027 World Military Games. The exchange of releasable information, joint research projects, academic conferences, seminars, and lecturer exchanges were reaffirmed as key pillars of the partnership.
A major point of convergence concerned the development of a common educational project within the CISM College Platform. Particular emphasis was placed on integrating Olympic Education and Olympism-based academic content developed by the IOA into the CISM College online courses platform. This initiative aims to contribute to leadership education grounded in Olympic values, ethical governance, fair play, and the use of sport as a tool for peace, solidarity, and international cooperation. Initial steps may include the inclusion of selected IOA-produced online lectures on Olympic Values Education.
The renewed Protocol, valid for four years, provides a comprehensive framework for progressive and mutually agreed initiatives, reinforcing the role of education as a cornerstone of both organizations’ missions.
With this renewed commitment, CISM and the IOA once again demonstrate that beyond competition, sport serves as a powerful platform for knowledge, values-based leadership, and international understanding.
(Source: CISM Media & Communication Department)
