Olympic Academy Opens in Athens

(ATR) The latest session of the International Olympic Academy is underway in Athens.

It’s the 59th edition of the summertime program that also includes time in Ancient Olympia.

IOC President Thomas Bach was on hand for the opening along with Greek President Prokopios Pavlopoulos.

"Olympic Diplomacy and Peace" is the theme of the program that will run until June 15.

The students at the academy are selected by their respective National Olympic Committees. All are under age 35. The IOA says 171 participants from 91 NOC’s are in this year’s academy.

The opening took place on Pnyx Hill in the center of Athens. Pavlopoulos noted that it was in the immediate neighborhood during that the Athenian State implemented the principles of direct democracy, egalitarianism and equality in speech.

Also on hand for the ceremonies were Spyros Capralos, Helenic Olympic Committee president and nominated as the next IOC member from Greece.

International Olympic Academy President Isidoros Kouvelos presented awards to IOC member in Ukraine and 1972 Olympic champion sprinter Valery Borzov and theOlympic Academy of Chinese Taipei.

Peace Prize for Bach

While in Athens the IOC president received the CEM Papandreou Peace Award.

Greek Foreign Minister George Katrougalos described Bach as a "champion of peace".

Former Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou saluted Bach’s efforts in modernizing the ancient concept of the Olympic Truce and creating the Refugee Olympic Team program.

He also mentioned Bach’s support for the joint Korean team at PyeongChang Winter Games.

"Through sport and the Olympic Games, you have demonstrated that we can create a global culture based on mutual respect and understanding," Papandreou said.

"The Olympic Games show us that despite all our differences it is possible for humankind to live together in peace and harmony," Bach responded.

"The Olympic Games cannot prevent wars and conflict, but they show us what the world could look like if we were all guided by the Olympic values.

"In a world drifting apart in so many ways, the Olympic Games today stand out as the only event that brings the whole world together in peaceful competition," Bach said.

Bach was accompanied at the event by Turkish NOC president and IOC vp Uğur Erdener.

Reported by Ed Hula.