In Memory of Antonios Tzikas

It is with sadness that we note the passing of a great advocate and defender of positive sporting values, Mr Antonias Tsikas, who was Founder and President of the International Foundation for Olympic and Sport Education (IFOSE).  IFOSE was, during the decade either side of 2000, a valued member of ICSSPE, liaising with the International Committee of Sport Pedagogy, and involving many of the members of ICSP’s organisations in its work. Mr Tsikas was a dynamic, committed leader, who believed absolutely in the need for young people to live the values of fair play and good sporting behaviour. He was constantly distressed by what he called the “social microbes” of cheating, violence and corruption in sport – and set up the Foundation to produce resources and events which would combat these, in many instances, funded from his own pocket.  At an international meeting in Thessaloniki in 2007, convened to launch a Parents’ Guide, he said: “People have always set the standards and rules for themselves and for every living being on earth. It is up to us to create the conditions and the society we live in. So, we entirely base our vision on young people, and the most important thing is how we educate children from preschool age within families, schools and sport clubs.” He collaborated with the European Fair Play Movement, and its General Secretary, Yannis Psilopoulos, has written a moving memorial (see below) to illustrate the importance of that relationship.

Mr Tsikas commissioned Deanna Binder, internationally known for her work in Olympic pedagogy, to produce an international resource book for teachers; and he financed meetings of an international advisory group to test and develop this work, before it was piloted in Greece, Germany, UK, Brazil, China, Canada and Australia.  The book was launched at an international conference on the slopes of Mount Olympus in 2000, attended by more than 100 educators from all over the world – almost all of them, members of ICSSPE member organisations and institutes.  It was, and remains, a beautiful and wonderful teaching resource – and it laid the foundations for Deanna’s later work in producing the IOC’s Olympic Values Education Toolkit.  

I was privileged to be invited to become one of IFOSE’s International Vice Presidents – and to continue to work with Mr Tsikas – our Proedros – and his redoubtable colleague Dr Joanna Mastora, alongside Deanna and other great colleagues like Dr Ian Jobling and Fekrou Kidane of the IOC.  Antonias Tsikas always valued talented and well-informed people around him – and it was a joy and an honour to work with him.  

By Margaret Talbot, President of ICSSPE

In Memoriam of Mr. Antonios Tzikas

A great personality of the Hellenic Sports Community, the former President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, the President of the International Foundation of the Olympic & Sport Education (IFOSE) and a life long sportsman, Mr. Antonios (Ninos) Tzikas passed away at the age of 91. Antonios Tzikas was born in 1921 in Thessaloniki and started his sport carrier in the historic club of HERACLES as a volley-ball player. His professional obligations brought him to Athens, where he became the pioneer of the development and wide-spreading of the Olympic Education. From the very first moments he recognized the benefits that the Youth could get from the Olympic Education and dedicated his life to the task of bringing the children and the pupils as close as possible to the Olympic Ideals. Since 1974 he served as A’ and B’ Vice President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee and he became HOC President for the period of 1993 – 1996. He was as well Head of the Hellenic Mission for the 1980 Olympic Games of Moscow. When he left the Hellenic Olympic Committee, he continued his invaluable offering to the Youth via the International Foundation of the Olympic & Sport Education, his personal creation and his life-time responsibility. Antonios Tzikas was one of the warmest and most faithful followers of the EFPM and IFOSE became EFPM’s supporting member. For quite some time, the two Organizations worked together in many activities (seminars, congresses, book editions etc.) and his aura was always an inspiration for all of us that were working with him. His extra-ordinary offer to the Olympic and Sport Movement, was deeply appreciated by the Fair Play Community and the IFOSE and Mr. Tzikas were awarded by the EFPM with the 2003 European Fair Play Plaque of Merit and Diploma during the EOC General Assembly in Rome. The EFPM mourns over the passing away of a real nobleman of sports and life and a true friend.

Ioannis Psilopoulos EFPM Gen. Secretary