INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC ACADEMY 7th JOINT - IOA

THE FINNISH OLYMPIC ACADEMY AND ITS OLYMPIC
EDUCATION MATERIAL FOR FINNISH SCHOOLS
CONCERNING THE OLYMPIC GAMES IN ATHENS 2004
Mrs Anja JÄRVINEN (FIN)
FINNISH OLYMPIC ACADEMY
It was founded in 1987. It is a commission of the FOC. Currently
there are seven members nominated by FOC and the secretary is from
the office of FOC. The secretary general of OC takes part in our
meetings.
The objective of the FOA is to uphold and promote the Olympic
idea and the social values of the Olympic Movement. Its principal
forms of activity are the annual Sessions and the Olympic Education
Program targeted at elementary and secondary schools.
THE ANNUAL SESSIONS
They cover different aspects of the Olympic idea and current
affairs of the Olympic Movement. The participants represent various
fields of cultural and economic life including officials, municipal
decision-makers, teachers, coaches, athletes, students, and
representatives of sport organizations. The lectures given in each
Session are published in a report that includes short summaries in
English.
Since 1990 the annual Sessions have been held in various regional
centres in order to bring broader groups of citizens into the sphere of
the Olympic Movement and to gain wider media coverage for the
educational work of the Finnish Olympic Academy. Last October the
annual Session was in the city of Pori. The city provided us beautiful
premises and a lot of support in the organizing work. The Council
Hall was full of enthusiastic participants from the local area.
The program: Welcome address by Chairman of City Council. He
told us about Pori’s history. Pori is a harbour and industrial town. Pori
is also lively sports town. Pori’s most legendary athletes are the
Olympic champions Kelpo Gröndahl (wrestling 1952) and Kaarlo
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