News
1 December 2007
UWS ACADEMIC PLAYING KEY ROLE IN PRESTIGIOUS SCHOLARS FOR OLYMPIA EVENT
At the end of November, Dr Andy Miah of the University's School of Media, Language & Music, participated in ‘Scholars for Olympia’, an event which aimed to raise awareness of the ancient site of Olympia which suffered devastating fires during the summer.
In August 2007, the terrible fires in Greece threatened the ancient Olympic site and the museum in Olympia blackened Kronos hill, and burned the grounds at the International Olympic Academy. Fortunately, due to the efforts of the people of Olympia and the staff at the IOA, the ancient monuments and the buildings were saved.
Scholars for Olympia, ran from 24 to 25 November 2007 at the ancient site of Olympia in Athens, Greece, hopes to increase awareness and as a result funds towards the restoration of the site in Ancient Olympia.
Dr Andy Miah, who is an expert in the field of Olympic Research, has been researching the Olympic movement for over 10 years. Dr Miah, along with his long-term research collaborator into the Olympic movement, Dr Beatriz Garcia of the University of Liverpool, are the only participants from the UK to take part in this venture, which will bring a select number of scholars from around the world to Olympia.
Dr Miah said: “The International Olympic Academy in Olympia has been the cornerstone of Olympic education for over 40 years. It overlooks the Ancient Olympic stadium, which is where the Olympic flame is kindled by the sun's rays some months before each Olympic Games. It has brought countless people from all over the world to scrutinize and celebrate the Modern Olympic Games and has hosted Kings, Queens, scholars, parliamentarians, athletes and many others, in addition to thousands of students.
“This place has incredible significance for the entire Olympic Movement and for me personally. As the London 2012 Games approaches, our bond with this institution will grow, as our responsibility to nurture the values of Olympics will grow.
"I am delighted that our University can take part in this valuable gesture of support from Scholars who have benefited from the generosity of Olympic education programmes which provide a unique forum for scholarly work and promoting intercultural understanding."
