Prof. Dr Dr h.c. Gudrun Doll-Tepper Receives ICSSPE 2023 Philip Noel-Baker Research Award

International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education (ICSSPE) Honorary President Prof. Dr Dr h.c. Gudrun Doll-Tepper has received the 2023 Philip Noel-Baker Research Award. Gudrun Doll-Tepper received the award in recognition of her outstanding services in furthering co-operation between sports medicine, sport science and physical education. The award was presented at the 31st ICSSPE General Assembly, which was held at Olympic Park in Berlin at the start of November (11 November). 

ICSSPE President Dr Uri Schaefer presented the award, which is named after the Nobel Peace Prize winner of 1959, Sir Philip Noel-Baker, who became the second president of the then International Council of Sport and Physical Education (ICSPE) in 1960. Noel-Baker was a former British politician, diplomat, Olympic athlete, academic and a renowned campaigner for disarmament. The Philip Noel-Baker award is the highest recognition of the International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education. It recognises outstanding work in the field of sport and physical education.

“We are honouring a person who has achieved a lot in her life, as a volunteer and as an advocate for an inclusive society in which everybody has a place, irrespective of ability, age, socio-economic background, or gender. For Gudrun, definitions of equity, diversity, and inclusion in sport came too late – she was living these before they were added to the agendas of sport organisations and federations. And with her enthusiasm and her conviction, she convinced her teams and many people to follow her,” ICSSPE President Dr Uri Schaefer recognised Gudrun’s achievements in his laudatory speech. 

“We are delighted that Gudrun is willing to stay connected to the Council with her influence to be imprinted in the organisation forever. To many of us, she remains a role model for a friendlier, more diverse, more physically active, and sportive society and we say thank you,” Uri Schaefer added. 

During her professional and scientific career Gudrun Doll-Tepper served in key positions in national organisations in Germany and in organisations around the world. She is known as one of the women who influenced the promotion of physical education, physical activity, and sports in Germany and around the world. For her professional and scientific activities and achievement she has received great recognition and numerous awards, including the Distinguished Service Cross First Class of the Federal Republic of Germany. 

A former physical education teacher and coach for gymnastics, handball, and athletics, Gudrun Doll-Tepper served as a University Senior Lecturer at Freie Universität Berlin Institute of Sport Science from 1978 to 1996 before becoming a full-time professor in 1996. She was elected ICSSPE President in 1996 and was the first woman to hold this position. Following her election, she set up the Executive Office in Berlin and also moved the organisation’s legal seat from Finland to Germany’s capital city in 1997. Supported by the Associations’ Board, a predecessor of the current Development Committee, ICSSPE focused its work on the domains of Science, Service and Advocacy.

In 1999, Doll-Tepper guided ICSSPE to pioneer the first World Summit on Physical Education which remains a reference event in global discussions on the state and status of physical education. In addition, ICSSPE actively got involved in the Pre-Olympic Congress 2004 in Thessaloniki and, following negotiations with the IOC, IPC and FIMS, the first International Convention on Science, Education and Medicine in Sport was held 2008 in Guangzhou. Gudrun Doll-Tepper held the ICSSPE Presidency until 2008 and supported the organisation as a consultant in the years following before becoming its Honorary President. 

Doll-Tepper holds several honorary doctorates, is a former Chairperson of the Sport Science Committee of the International Paralympic Committee, former President of the International Federation of Adapted Physical Activity and former Vice President of the German Olympic Sports Confederation. She is the Chair of the German Olympic Academy (DOA), chair person of the German Sport & Olympia Museum (DSOM) and a member of the IOC-Commission “Olympic Education”.  

In her moving thank-you speech Gudrun looked back on her first involvement with ICSSPE in 1990 and the years following. 

“I feel deeply honoured to receive the Philip Noel-Baker Research Award and I thank ICSSPE President Dr. Uri Schaefer, the ICSSPE Boards, the member organisations and the office teams with whom I have worked together over many years for all their support and friendship. May ICSSPE be successful in accomplishing its important mission.”