Experts at the International Symposium on Lifesaving as an Olympic Sport that was organized by the Greek Lifesaving Sports Association, endorsed by the MLC and hosted at the Hellenic Olympic Committee (May 2023).
The journey of bringing lifesaving at the Olympics started
Mediterranean 20.04.2024. The International Life Saving Federation (ILS) announced that the journey of brining lifesaving sport into the Olympic Games has just started.
ILS President Graham Ford AO said internationally lifesaving sport continues to grow and there has never been a better time to pursue the Olympic pathway. “Today marks the first official steps we are taking in pursuing an Olympic dream for life saving sport. Internationally, lifesaving sport continues to grow with our World Championships attracting more than 7,000 competitors across multiple age groups. Our goal is to have the Ocean Man & Ocean Woman events, together with a mixed Ocean Relay, included as part of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games. Lifesaving sport aligns perfectly with the International Olympic Committee’s vision of ‘building a better world through sport’, with all members of our sport committed to not only top level competition but also saving lives through their humanitarian work in volunteer organisations. Our sport is unique, with all our members trained lifesavers who are ‘rescue ready’ and have the abilities to perform rescues and save lives. This is our chance to provide athletes from our sport the opportunity for an Olympic pathway,” he said.
On behalf of the Mediterranean Lifesaving Confederation, the President, Giorgio Quintavalle and the Secretary General, Dr Stathis Avramidis, said: “This is a historic moment for the world lifesaving community, including the countries of the Mediterranean basin. We applaud the tireless efforts and the vision of the ILS and Surf Lifesaving Australia leadership towards the implementation of this noble goal. We will support the lobby for inclusion in the Brisbane 2023 Olympic Games with all our means.”
To learn about this dream and why it should succeed, access two resources:
1. Watch the videos of the “International Experts Symposium on Lifesaving as an Olympic Sport” that was organized by the Greek Lifesaving Sports Association and held at the Hellenic Olympic Committee, with Lucas Bistarakis, “father” of Greek professional lifeguarding, playing a pivotal role for the success of the event. At the sumposium, the ILS Secretary General, Dr Harald Vervaecke, had said: “Lifesaving sport in the Olympics is a good thing. It helps all the youth of the world to learn how to save lives” (more).
2. Read the book “Lifesaving as Olympic Sport”, authored by Dr Stathis Avramidis, Dr Ioanna Mastora and John Dimakopoulos (more).
To read about this journey towards the Olympic dream of the sport that saves lives, visit the ILS webpage (more). Photo: GLSA.
