Lifesaving as Olympic Sport - The Authors
Dr. Stathis Avramidis DipEd, BEd, MSc, MPH, PhD serves the fields of injury prevention and water safety in numerous organizations. He is an officer at the National Public Health Organization, the President of the Greek Lifesaving Sports Association and teacher of the modules “applied lifeguarding” and “lifesaving sport” at the School of Physical Education and Sports Science of Athens University (2016-). He has worked as a Lecturer of Aquatics and Visiting Researcher at Leeds Metropolitan University, UK (2003-2012). With 19 books and about 300+ publications, conference presentations and research papers, he is one of the most prolific safety and lifesaving advocates in the world. For his scholarly, academic and professional activities, he has been honored 18 times by important organizations. These include 2 awards by the International Swimming Hall of Fame, 4 Diploma Awards by the Royal Life Saving Society Commonwealth (whose Patron is Queen Elizabeth II) and 2 international film awards for his worldwide contribution to the lifesaving. He has acted as a co-chairman and member of organizing committees of film festivals and conferences under the auspices of international organizations. He is considered the "father" of lifesaving sport in Greece.
Ioannis Dimakopoulos DipEd, BEd, MSc was born in Ioannina.
He is a graduate of the Department of Physical Education and Sports Science of
the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh); Graduate of the AUTh Theological
School and holder of a Master Degree of the School of Humanities (National Open
University); Graduate of the 3-year program "Introduction to the Science
of Popular Culture" of the Academy of Popular Culture and Local History
with the DUTH and the University of the Aegean. He serves as Principal at the
Primary School of Leontari, Karditsa and is certified in Education
Administration by the EKDDA. He is a member and reviewer at the Scientific
Association for the Promotion of Innovation; Lecturer of training
seminars-actions for distance education at PEKES Thessaly. He is the Head of
Education of the Greek Lifesaving Sports Association, a member of the
Gymnastics Association of Northern Greece, Technical Advisor to children's
football academies and Scientific Advisor to KDAP with activities in innovative
physical education programs related to outdoor activities and sports. He is a Teacher
of Theology at the Youth Centers of the Holy Metropolis of Thessaly and
Fanariofarsala. He has written 6 books, 4 chapters, 45 articles and 20+ papers
in scientific conferences. He is married and has three children.
Dr. Ioanna Mastora DipEd, BEd, MEd, PhD is a scholar of renowned international prestige with diverse academic work and post-doctoral researcher at Athens University. She has 18 years of teaching experience (Universities of Thessaloniki, Peloponnese, West Attica, Indianapolis, Hellenic Police Officers School, Athens Vocational School). She was a Scientific Advisor to the Organizing Committee "Athens 2004", at the Ministry of Sports, Secretary General and Managing Director at the International Foundation for Olympic and Sports Education, Secretary General at the Olympic Center of Philosophy and Education - Humanities in the World. Dr. Mastora is a prolific scholar (books, scientific announcements, articles, chapters, dozens of TV appearances). Among her work, there is “Champion in Life!" (it was taught in schools on 5 continents approved by IOC and UNESCO), "The Association - the living cell of Sports" (General Secretariat of Sports), "Raise a champion" for kindergartens, and the publication "Shadow of Honor" of the Ministry of Culture. She has participated as an international reviewer of the IOC's "Teaching Values" training package for Beijing, international festivals and documentaries for the Olympic Games. She is a member of international organizations and has received international awards.
