Athens, June 16, 2016 – More than 150 young men and women from 91 countries and 22 coordinators and coordinators gathered on the Hill of the Pnyx in the Greek capital since Sunday on the occasion of the 56th International Session for Young Participants of the International Olympic Academy.

Until June 25, participants will be working on this year’s theme: “Olympism as an effective tool development and sustainability”, and address the topic “Learning axis on Olympic values as an effective tool for the protection of the environment “

The President of the Republic, HE Mr. Prokopios Pavlopoulos has officially opened the session with the President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, Mr Spyros Capralos, the Secretary General of the NOC, Mr. Manolis Katsiadakis, the IOA President, Mr Isidoros Kouvelos, honorary members of the International Olympic Committee Mr. Lambis Nikolaou and King Constantine, director of the IOA Mr. Dionysis Gangas and many personalities from sports, cultural and political environments.

The session for young participants includes lectures, group work on Olympism, cultural visits, but also moments of sharing and emotions, such as sports tournaments, artistic and literary workshops and social events. The event allows participants to learn about Olympism and its ideals, enrich their Olympic related knowledge in an international environment.