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The International Olympic Academy (IOA) proudly inaugurated its new Weightlifting Room at its premises in Ancient Olympia, further enhancing its sports offering to participants and athletes visiting the birthplace of the Olympic Games to attend the international educational programmes of the Academy.

The new facility is equipped with a state-of-the-art ELEIKO weightlifting platform and set of weights, generously donated by the European Weightlifting Federation (EWF) and its official sponsor, ELEIKO. The inauguration was conducted by the President of the International Olympic Academy, Dr Charilaos Tsolakis, and the President of the European Weightlifting Federation, Dr Astrit Hasani.

The new Weightlifting Room reflects the shared commitment of the IOA and EWF to the promotion of sport, education and Olympic values.  It will serve both the participants of the IOA’s educational programmes and weightlifters from Europe and around the world visiting the IOA premises in Olympia, offering them the opportunity to train while engaging in learning, cultural exchange and dialogue inspired by Olympism.

During the inauguration ceremony, welcoming the EWF President, in presence of the IOA Premises Manager, Vaggelis Friggis, the IOA President, Dr Charilaos Tsolakis said: "We are deeply grateful to the European Weightlifting Federation and Eleiko for this meaningful donation to the International Olympic Academy. The creation of this new Weightlifting Room strengthens our mission of connecting sport with education and Olympic values in the very place where the Olympic Games were born. Ancient Olympia is a unique meeting point for athletes, students and future leaders from around the world. Through this facility, participants in our programmes and weightlifters visiting Olympia will have the opportunity not only to train at a high level but also to experience the educational and cultural dimensions of Olympism. This initiative perfectly embodies our vision: Sport, Education and Olympism, all in one, in Olympia."

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The President of EWF, Dr Astrit Hasani emphasized the importance of bringing the sport of weightlifting closer to the Olympic education world and said: “I would like to express my sincere appreciation to IOA President Dr Charilaos Tsolakis and Director Makis Asimakopoulos for the great work they are doing with the IOA and for the excellent collaboration with the European Weightlifting Federation. We greatly value their vision and the way they have embraced the IOC’s ‘Fit for the Future’ approach. We look forward to further strengthening our cooperation with the IOA by organizing also seminars for EWF administrators in Ancient Olympia. It is indeed a privilege to contribute to this unique environment where sport, education and Olympism come together”.

The International Olympic Academy continues to expand its infrastructure and educational offerings, ensuring that participants from across the globe can experience the unique combination of sport, culture and education that only the IOA in Ancient Olympia can provide.

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