The benefits of the collaboration between the University of Peloponnese and the International Olympic Academy for students are manifold, since IOA covers the costs for two educational tours for the students. The first tour includes a stay in Athens, where they visit the archaeological site and the Museum of the Acropolis, the National Archaeological Museum and the Panathenaic Stadium, establishing a connection with the Olympic Games of Antiquity. Next, students travel to the Peloponnese, where they visit the archaeological site and the theatre of Epidaurus, the archaeological sites of Mycenae and Nemea. The educational tour of the second semester starts from northern Greece and it includes different visits at the city of Thessaloniki and other important centres of Antiquity such as Vergina, Pella, Dion, the Meteora- a monument included in the UNESCO World Heritage list,-and Delphi, where the most important oracle of the ancient Greek world operated.

In the IOA premises students have also the opportunity to take part in the other activities of the International Olympic Academy (https://www.ioa.org.gr/portal/activities) and to make presentations on their studies. At these Sessions students have the opportunity to get a global picture of the Olympic Movement and to meet with members of the Olympic Community.

Additionally, once every two years there is an Olympic Torch Lighting Ceremony, which the Master’s degree students have the privilege to attend from the officials’ area inside the ancient Stadium and thus be able to witness this unique ceremony that exalts the Olympic spirit and the ideas of peace, fraternity and fair play.

The Programme combines academic education with participation in cultural events and sports activities. The students co-exist, study together and apply the principles of Olympism under the same roof, in friendship and peace, with people from the five continents, united in the common purpose of advancing the Olympic Movement.