As I write this message, I, and the entire ICSSPE team are busily preparing for the major events on our calendar for 2004: the Pre-Olympic Congress in Thessaloniki from August 6th to 11th; and the Olympic Games from August 13th to 29th & Paralympic Games from September 17th to 28th in Athens.

When we return from these exciting events, we will continue with our involvement in the preparation of the “International Year for Sport and Physical Education 2005”, which was proclaimed by the General Assembly of the United Nations – this was announced in the last issue of the Bulletin. We would like to encourage all national and international organisations and institutions of sport, sport science and physical education to use this remarkable opportunity via innovative actions and initiatives. ICSSPE invites all member organisations and institutions to share their ideas and plans, so that we all know about the events in 2005 and beyond. Never in history has such a year been proclaimed by the United Nations so we should not miss this opportunity!

During the past years, we have witnessed a tremendous increase in the number of member organisations and institutions. We warmly welcome all of them and hope that all members will play an active role in the upcoming General Assembly and elections. As some of our current board members will not remain on the Executive, I would like to take this opportunity to thank those who are leaving for their commitment and contribution to ICSSPE’s successful development.

ICSSPE is currently involved in several international projects - some of them in cooperation with the IOC, UNESCO and WHO – and it is with great anticipation that we wait for the presentation and distribution of results and recommendations. Special thanks are extended to all colleagues who are part of these projects, including ICSSPE’s Editorial Board who, under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Jan Borms, has – over the past years – made a tremendous contribution to increasing the knowledge base in sport science and physical education on an international level.

ICSSPE’s Executive Office has moved from next door to the German Olympic Institute to new facilities in the vicinity of the Olympic Stadium in Berlin. We are most thankful for the continued support which ICSSPE receives from the Senate of Berlin and the Federal Government in Germany. While there are many positive developments with regard to ICSSPE’s role as a global player, we need to identify new financial resources to build a solid basis for the future of ICSSPE.

I look forward to meeting with many of you in Thessaloniki in August. Until then,

Prof. Dr. Gudrun Doll-Tepper
President, ICSSPE

http://www.icsspe.org/portal/bulletin-June2004.htm