Scholars’ Pilgrimage to Olympia 24-25th November 2007

In August 2007, the terrible fires in Greece threatened the ancient Olympic site and the museum in Olympia blackened Kronos hill, and burned the grounds at the International Olympic Academy. Fortunately, due to the brave efforts of the people of Olympia and the staff at the IOA, the ancient monuments and the buildings were saved.

Maybe it is only when you nearly lose something that you fully realize its value. For those scholars who have been inspired by visits to Olympia and the IOA over the years, this tragedy has awakened a new sense of the importance of the IOA to Olympic Studies and the Olympic Movement.

Scholars recently gathered in Beijing for two conferences and had the opportunity to discuss what we can do to express our solidarity with the people of Greece and to help restore the IOA to its former beauty as quickly as possible. The proposal is to make a pilgrimage to Olympia on the weekend of the 24 and 25th November 2007.


> Letter from the promoters