# Sport and Education Program 2026 Concludes Successfully July 27, 2026 The third cycle of the “[Sport and Education Program: From Ancient Olympia to the Present](/seminar-programs/sport-and-education "Sport and Education Program: from Ancient Olympia to the Present")” was held at the International Olympic Academy (IOA) from July 6 to July 10, 2026. Building on its successful inaugural implementation in 2024, this program is the result of over a decade of collaboration between the Center for Hellenic Studies (CHS) and the IOA. The 2026 program was organized in collaboration with Harvard Athletics, the University of Patras, and the Stark Center for Physical Culture and Sport at the University of Texas at Austin. Additional support was provided by Harvard’s Weatherhead Center for International Affairs and the AEGEAS Non-Profit Civil Company, and the program was offered under the auspices of the General Secretariat of Sport, Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, Hellenic Republic. Charles Stocking, Associate Professor at the University of Texas at Austin’s Department of Kinesiology and Health Education and Associate of Harvard’s Center for Hellenic Studies, served as the program’s academic director. Faculty members included Prof. Mark Dyreson (Pennsylvania State University), Georgios Mouratidis (British School at Athens) and Prof. John Zilcosky (University of Toronto), while special guest speakers included Cory Johnson (Assistant Librarian and Researcher at Texas Tech University, Expert on Mixed Martial Arts, Sanda, Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Kickboxing, and former Coach of the USA National Sanda Team), Ted Minnis (Men's and Women's Water Polo Head Coach, Harvard University), Dimitra Papadimitriou (Professor, Department of Business Administration, University of Patras) and Panagiotis Pelekoudas (Coach, General Secretary of the Panhellenic Association of Professional Volleyball Players, and former international volleyball player). ![Group Portrait of Sport and Education Program Participants - Opening Day](/sites/g/files/omnuum7151/files/2026-07/_DSC0787.jpg) The Sport and Education Program aims to address the gap between sport and education, viewing them as two sides of a spectrum. It emphasizes the role sport played in shaping ancient models of knowledge, particularly the ancient athletic-knowledge complex, known as *paideia*, that served as a model for modern universities and professional sports. The program uses an innovative educational method, combining limited preliminary readings with small group seminars designed to prioritize dialogue, and faculty-led sessions at the local site of Ancient Olympia and its two museums. The 2026 program welcomed 45 undergraduate and postgraduate students with a demonstrated affiliation with athletics, either by practicing a sport or by having dedicated part of their research to relevant fields. Participants ranged in age from 19 to 53 and represented various academic backgrounds, including classics, physical education, law, finance, management, natural sciences, as well as technology and health sciences. This diversity enriched the seminar discussions and fostered dynamic out-of-class interactions, making for a lively and productive educational environment. The students attended intensive daily seminars, complemented by experiential learning sessions at the archaeological site and museums. Group meals, leisure time, and sports activities at the IOA’s facilities cultivated a strong sense of community. ![Focused Portrait of Charles Stocking and Georgios Mouratidis ](/sites/g/files/omnuum7151/files/2026-07/DSC_1528.JPG) Most students came from a wide range of Greek universities, including (in alphabetical order): Agricultural University of Athens, Aegean University, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Democritus University of Thrace, Hellenic Open University, International Hellenic University, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, and the Universities of Crete, Ioannina, Patras, Peloponnese, Piraeus, and Thessaly. The program also welcomed four Harvard students, two students from the Pennsylvania State University, and six students from the University of Texas at Austin. Our Center, in partnership with the Harvard Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, provided substantial funding for the four Harvard undergraduate student-athletes. This initiative strengthens our connection with Harvard Athletics and reaffirms the opportunity for Harvard student-athletes to participate in this innovative study-abroad program. CHS and IOA would like to thank the participants for their active engagement, as well as the contributing institutions, all faculty members, the Secretary General of Sports, our guests, and sports professionals for their invaluable collaboration. The organizers are already planning the Sport and Education Program 2027, with announcements forthcoming during the new academic year. See also:- [ Seminar-based Programs ](/activities-type/seminar-based-programs) - [ Ancient Greece ](/activities-field/ancient-greece) - [ Humanities ](/activities-field/Humanities) - [ Sports ](/activities-field/sports) - [ Harvard undergraduate students ](/target-audience/harvard-undergraduates) - [ Undergraduate students non-Harvard ](/target-audience/undergraduates) - [ Graduate students non-Harvard ](/target-audience/graduates) - [ Pre-doc researchers ](/target-audience/pre-doc-researchers) Share on:- [ Facebook ](#) - [ Twitter ](#) - [ Linkedin ](#)