ICSSPE at the 17th International Symposium for Olympic and Paralympic Research

During the second week of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, scholars, practitioners, and Olympic Movement stakeholders convened in Naples, Italy, for the 17th International Symposium for Olympic and Paralympic Research. Held from 18–20 February 2026 at the Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli,” this biennial gathering brought together more than 70 participants from around the world to engage with cutting-edge research and interdisciplinary perspectives on Olympism, Paralympism and sport in the digital age.

 

Organized by the International Centre for Olympic Studies (ICOS) at Western University in Canada, under the leadership of Prof. Angela Schneider, ICSSPE Executive Board Member, and her team, the Symposium continues a long tradition of fostering academic dialogue that deepens understanding of the Olympic and Paralympic movements.

 

The theme of this year’s Symposium, “The Games in a Digital World: Human Flourishing, Olympic Values and Sustainability in the Age of AI”, reflected the rapidly evolving landscape of sport, technology and society. Participants explored how emerging digital technologies and artificial intelligence are reshaping athlete well-being, fan engagement, governance, media representation, inclusion, accessibility and sustainability.

 

Representatives from international Olympic academies, research institutions, and sport organisations contributed to a rich programme of presentations and discussions spanning a wide array of topics, from sports law and sports marketing to sports architecture, history, and Paralympic studies. The diversity of contributions underscored the Symposium’s commitment to interdisciplinary inquiry and global collaboration.

 

A standout session featured ICSSPE's President, Prof. Dr. Annette Hofmann, who delivered a presentation on the 1936 Winter Olympics in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, with a particular focus on Christl Cranz, the first female Olympic champion in alpine skiing. This historical lens offered important insights into gender, sport and the evolution of Olympic competition.

 

The significance of the Symposium was further highlighted by welcome addresses from Maria Bogner, Head of the IOC’s Olympic Study Centres, and Dr. Jane Thornton, Director of the IOC’s Medicine and Science Department. Their presence emphasised the value of research engagement at the highest levels of the Olympic Movement.

 

For ICSSPE and its network, the event was an excellent opportunity to connect with representatives from partner institutions and strengthen ties within the global sport science and physical education community. Discussions during the Symposium reaffirmed the vital role of research in advancing the values and impact of Olympic and Paralympic sport in contemporary society.