Salutation by the International Olympic Academy
Dear Dr. Stathis Avramidis, President of the Greek Lifesaving Sports Association and dear participants, thank you for your invitation to attend the International Experts Symposium on Lifesaving as Olympic Sport, a symposium that I would love to be part of, but unfortunately it is impossible since I am not in Athens.
Drowning is a major public health problem worldwide and the cause of a tragic death for a European naval country like Greece. Undoubtedly, lifeguarding as a social and in a sense sports activity, constitutes for a country surrounded by sea a national duty and imposes a national obligation.
When Coubertin revived the Olympic Games, he aimed, through this sporting event, to lead young people, to education and the values of Olympism. In other words, the Olympic Games, should be the vehicle for necessitating every society in education and upgrading the quality of life. It it largely succeeded. Exercise in mind and body is what creates the ideal citizen.
I can recognize a similar process in the athletic dimension that lifesaving has taken today. Lifeguarding as a sport includes all those disciplines that can attract young people to engage with a greater willingness in their education on the social need and contribution to human life. It seems to be a very promising means for preparing the competitors and the spectators physically and mentally in how to save a life from injuries in and around the water with skills, fitness and knowledge.
The paths of the International Olympic Academy and every lifeguard support motive are in a sense parallel. The IOA educates the spirit of young people through international programs and the Lifeguard trains the body of those that will be called upon one day to save the life of fellow a human being. Both bodies operate with humanitarian motives. I wish to your congress every success and I welcome the fact that it has been decided to hold it in our country, a traditionally maritime country. Thank you.
Isidoros Kouvelos
President of the International Olympic Academy
