The Olympic Studies Centre (OSC) has welcomed the International Olympic Academy (IOA) as the latest member of the World Olympic Library Network (OWL). This step not only represents the union of two key institutions in the preservation and dissemination of Olympic knowledge, but also a renewed commitment to education, research, and accessibility of knowledge related to the Olympic Movement. The announcement marks a moment of deep significance in the mission to bring Olympic values to more people worldwide.

The IOA, located just steps from ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Games, has for decades been a meeting space for students, athletes, academics, and educators. Its integration into the OWL will allow its vast collection, comprising over 16,000 titles and hundreds of digital resources in multiple languages, to be included in a global catalog that will facilitate access to Olympic knowledge like never before. It is a bridge between tradition and modernity, reinforcing the belief that education is the most powerful way to keep the Olympic spirit alive.

Expanding access to Olympic knowledge

The integration of the IOA library into the OWL network significantly enriches the resources available. Its materials —session records, journals, historical and pedagogical works— will complement the already robust collection of the OSC, which holds over 42,000 publications and 15,000 digital documents related to Olympism and the Olympic Games. For researchers, students, and the global Olympic community, this effort opens new possibilities for study, historical understanding, and critical exploration of the values that inspire sport.

The voices of the leaders involved reflect the significance of this agreement. Professor Charilaos Tsolakis, president of the IOA, emphasized the pride of being part of the network and the hope that the library will become a space for discovery accessible worldwide. Likewise, Maria Bogner, director of the OSC, highlighted that the IOA’s unique collection will greatly enrich the resources already available, amplifying the reach of Olympic knowledge.

A partnership with a vision for the future

The inclusion of the IOA in the OWL reaffirms the purpose of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to preserve and promote the heritage and Olympic values through education. The director of the Olympic Foundation for Culture and Heritage, Angelita Teo, noted that such partnerships amplify the collective impact of the movement, making Olympism more widely understood and accessible.

In the same spirit, the director of the IOA, Dr. Makis Asimakopoulos, explained that this union ensures global access to decades of educational materials and strengthens the commitment to research, dialogue, and the transmission of values. Through this, the OWL consolidates itself as a space for cooperation that unites tradition, innovation, and a shared mission: projecting Olympism to new generations with even greater strength.