#enaevents is delighted and proud to announce that, for the second year running, it is organising the 32nd International Congress on Physical Education & Sport of the Department of Physical Education and Sport Science (DPESS) of Democritus University of Thrace.

The Congress will take place from 31 May to 2 June 2024 at the facilities of the Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, on the Komotini University Campus.

About the International Congress on Physical Education & Sport

The International Congress on Physical Education & Sports Science (I.C.P.E.S.S.) is the leading international congress in the field of Physical Education & Sport held in Greece, and has been organised without interruption for the past 32 years by the Department of Physical Education & Sport Science of Democritus University of Thrace.

The Congress is aimed at: – students – Physical Education teachers – coaches – health scientists – anyone who loves sport and exercise

Each year the Congress programme includes keynote lectures by distinguished speakers, specialist seminars, round tables, awards honouring people for their contribution to sport, and engaging oral and e-poster presentations by participating delegates.

This year’s Congress

The 32nd Congress is being organised as part of the celebrations marking 40 years of the Department of Physical Education & Sport Science of Democritus University of Thrace, and this year again it is expected to welcome great figures from the world of sport. Attending the 32nd International Congress will be the enduringly great men’s national water polo team, which will be honoured for its tremendous achievements. Alongside the president of the Swimming Federation, Kyriakos Giannopoulos, and the national coach, Thodoris Vlachos, and among other big names in the sport, former water polo internationals will also attend: the General Secretary for Sport, Giorgos Mavrotas, and the president of the Olympic Committee, Spyros Kapralos.

The invited keynote speakers will be the former Rector of Democritus University of Thrace and Professor Emeritus Mr Giannis Panousis, one of the Department’s first Chairs, and Professor Jayden Y. Kim of Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, USA, who in his talk will develop the highly interesting topic: “Unlocking the game: The future of sport marketing research through Biometrics”.

As part of the Congress, the “Samaras Award” will be presented to Dimosthenis Tampakos, Gold & Silver Olympic medallist in artistic gymnastics on the rings at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games & the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, for his overall contribution to the world of sport and for his original elements on the rings, elements he succeeded in having included in the International Gymnastics Federation’s Code of Points.

Alongside the presentations of scientific papers, the three-day Congress will feature a large number of round tables and seminars on sport, exercise, functional training and rehabilitation.

Last year’s Congress

The 31st Congress exceeded expectations, welcoming more than 900 delegates. Young and up-and-coming scientists presented more than 340 scientific papers, while participants had the opportunity to attend 9 targeted seminars and 7 round tables on topical themes, along with many parallel events. The round tables were held with the support of the Hellenic Academy of Physical Education, the five postgraduate programmes of DPESS-DUTH and the Hellenic Basketball Federation.

A landmark of the Congress was the official opening ceremony, brimming with nostalgia and emotion, at which Greek basketball was honoured in the person of the president of the Hellenic Basketball Federation, Evangelos Liolios, as well as iconic basketball players who played an important role in its glorious history. Specifically, from the world of basketball, Fragiskos Alvertis, Dimitris Papanikolaou, Nikos Chatzivrettas, Giannis Kalampokis and Vaios Gioras were honoured for their contribution and in turn honoured the ceremony and the Congress with their presence. A special moment was the award to Panagiotis Giannakis, the man associated, as player and coach, with the greatest successes of Greek basketball.

A moving moment was the presentation of the Department’s highest award, the “Nikos Samaras Award”, to an iconic woman. Ms Ada Stamatatou was honoured for her contribution to sport and to the sports movement on the basis of its value to humankind.

Registration – taking part in the Congress

Registration for the 32nd International Congress on Physical Education & Sport opens on 1 April.

  • Registration is free for undergraduate students of Greek Schools & Departments of Physical Education & Sport Science.

For more information, visit the official website of the 32nd I.C.P.E.S.S..