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Lifesaving as Olympic Sport
Greece
01.01.2022. The Greek Lifesaving Sports Association (GLSA) proudly presents the
first ever book that deals with the aspiration of lifesaving sport to enter the
Olympic Games.
Does lifesaving have an athletic dimension? Yes! Does it deserve to
be included in the Olympic Games? Yes! Is the path towards inclusion full of
adversities and challenges to be overcome in order to accomplish this goal?
Definitely yes. The present book discusses the Olympic aspiration of the unique
humanitarian sport in the world; οf a sport that actually saves life! Sport
is a universal human right. Everyone must be able to participate in sports
without discrimination, based on the Olympic spirit that requires mutual
understanding in the name of friendship, solidarity and noble rivalry.
Lifesaving
sport is the only humanitarian sport and the crown jewel of the Olympic ideal.
Athletes and spectators gain knowledge about the protection and salvation of a
human life on land and water. In a time of crisis of values and rapid developments at political, geopolitical,
religious and economic level, lifesaving sport is a capable means for the
humanization of people. Lifesaving sport intends to offer the ethics of the
Olympic Games, the right meaning of spirituality, without which only morality
would remain and the Olympic movement would end up being a meaningless sports
catechism. The book takes a look
at the historical development of the sport abroad, analyzes the
challenges we need to overcome and explains why
this sport needs to be included in the Olympic Games.
The book is saluted by 7 leading authorities:
“
Because of its humanitarian nature, lifesaving sport should be available
to everyone as competition or recreation. The authors bridge the ideals of
Olympism, Olympic Games, lifesaving sport, water safety and drowning
prevention. They conclude that despite the various real and philosophical
challenges, lifesaving sport deserves to be included eventually in the Olympic
Games and that such initiative will justify the fathers of the ancient and the
modern Olympic Games.”
Graham Ford AM
President, International Lifesaving Federation
“The staff of
the Greek Lifesaving Sports Association that authored the book, address the
obstacles of this fascinating journey, explain the sport's attributes that
correspond with the principles of the Olympic Movement and explain why such
inclusion deserves a chance in the near future. To the best of my knowledge,
this is probably the first literary attempt that addresses this topic. Given
that the Olympic Games were born in Greece, the recommendations of a Greek book
that champions the inclusion of our sport in the Olympics, is not only welcome
but it may also act as a beacon for the realisation of our dream.”
Dr. Harald Vervaecke PhD
Secretary
General, International Lifesaving Federation
“If swimming was "invented" as means to save ourselves,
lifesaving sport was developed to save a fellow man from the imminent danger.
This book explains that despite its philosophical contradictions and
difficulties, lifesaving sport serves the ideals of the Olympic Movement and
the Olympic ideals in an unparalleled way because the sport lifesaver does not
offer only spectacle or a sterile performance but also skills and knowledge
essential for the preservation of a human life. This single attribute should
qualify the inclusion of lifesaving sport in the Olympic Games. I commend the
authors that addressed this issue and hope that the International Olympic
Committee will consider their views.”
Brent
Rutemiller
President/
CEO, International Swimming Hall of Fame
“More community participation will save lives. Saving lives is more
impactful than counting medals at international sporting events. Higher sport
stages, such as the Olympic Games, will be helpful to illuminate the
humanitarian mission and leadership development in lifesaving.”
Dr Steve Beerman
Past President, International
Life Saving Federation
“It is not
merely a sport; it is a sport that actually saves lives. Olympic Games, the
greatest athletic event on the planet, have the unique potential to unite all
humanity. I am particularly happy to applaud any attempt made to spread all
sports, all the more so lifesaving sport, that aims to protect Public Health
from water accidents and helps lifeguards develop and maintain their fitness.
Through this book, readers will be acquainted with the greatness of lifesaving
sport and will gain an understanding of its value and the way it is connected
to the Olympic ideal.”
Spyros Kapralos
President, Greek Olympic Committee
Member, International Olympic Committee
“The publication
of this pioneering book paves the way again for humanity. My vision has found
its continuators. I can feel hopeful when I think of Stathis, my successor and
“father” of lifesaving sport in Greece, and his exceptional partners, Ioannis
and Ioanna. The point of this book will be proved when drowning prevention
becomes part of the leading sporting event on the planet. In the twilight of my
life, I may get the chance to see lifesavers participating in the Olympic
Games.” Lucas Bistarakis
"Father"
of Greek professional lifeguarding
“
Because the lifesaving aspect of swimming provides the primary
rationale for educating and motivating people to learn to swim, the skills
demonstrated in lifesaving sport should merit serious consideration for
inclusion in the program of the Olympic Games.”
Bruce Wigo, J.D.
Former
President/CEO
International Swimming Hall of Fame
The authors are members of the GLSA Scientific
Committee. Dr. Stathis Avramidis, is the GLSA President and 2 times honoree by
the International Swimming Hall of Fame for his contributions to lifesaving.
Ioannis Dimakopoulos is the Head of Education and a Primary School Principal.
Dr. Ioanna Mastora is a Fair Play Scientific Advisor and an international
acclaimed scholar of Olympic education (more).
The GLSA is the “home” of the sport that saves lives
in Greece. It was founded in loving memory of the loss of 3 relatives at sea,
with the vision to conducting local interventions with international impact for
the preservation of public health from drowning. It is a member of the
International Life Saving Federation, the International Life Saving Federation
of Europe and the International Federation of Swimming Teachers’ Association.
The GLSA distributes the book freely here, to assist the international
public awareness for the importance of the inclusion of lifesaving in the
Olympic Games.
