Academic Olympic studies
and research centres
Since the 1980s, a growing number of universities and National Olympic Committees (NOCs) have responded to the academic interest in Olympic-related topics by creating dedicated university-based Olympic Studies and Research Centres (OSRCs). These centres seek to promote teaching, research, publications and conferences about the Olympic Movement and the Olympic Games with a humanities or social sciences perspective.
In 2020, the IOC Olympic Studies Centre produced its “Guidelines for the Academic Olympic Studies and Research Centres”, with a view to providing a general framework for university-based OSRCs, ensuring full alignment with the Olympic Charter, while respecting their independence in terms of academic activities. Further important objectives of the Guidelines are to give visibility to the work of the OSRCs as well as to promote the network of academic OSRCs and foster collaboration and exchange among its members.
Academic OSRCs that have gone through the individual review and compliance process to become part of the OSCR network are listed below and in the pdf list available here. The information on the webpage and in the list will be regularly updated, and new academic OSRCs created by universities in compliance with our Guidelines will be included. Should you be interested in establishing an academic Olympic Studies and Research Centre, we invite you to contact the IOC Olympic Studies Centre.
Africa
Kenyatta University
Department of Recreation and Sport Management
Kenya
Founding year: 2024
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Gender equality and inclusion; Governance; Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin; Paralympic Games and Paralympic Movement; Sport for development and peace/Contribution to SDGs
Contact: Elijah GITONGA RINTAUGU
University of Johannesburg
Faculty of Health Sciences
South Africa
Founding year: 2014
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Anti-doping, Olympic Education / Olympism / Pierre de Coubertin, Sport for development and peace / Contribution to SDGs
Contact: Heather Morris-Eyton
University of the Western Cape
CHS Faculty
South Africa
Founding year: 2024
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Ethics and Law; Gender Equality and Inclusion; Governance; History; Human Rights; Olympic education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin; Sport for development & peace/Contribution to SDGs
Contact: Marion KEIM
Stellenbosch University, Maties Sport
In partnership with the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Exercise, Sport and Lifestyle Medicine
South Africa
Founding year: 2023
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Gender Equality and Inclusion, Governance, History, Olympic education / Olympism / Pierre de Coubertin, Sport for development & peace, Contribution to SDGs (Youth employment / employability and leadership development)
Contact: Cora Burnett and Ilhaam Groenewald
Asia
HKCT Institute of Higher Education
Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong; China (SF&OC)
Hong Kong, China
Founding year: 2022 (originally created in 2015 at the SF&OC)
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Legacy and Sustainability, Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin
Contact: Cherry Chan and LI Ada
Rashtriya Raksha University
School of Physical Education and sports
India
Founding year: 2024
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin; International Relations and Diplomacy; Sport for Development & Peace / Contribution to SDGs
Contact: Bimal N. Patel
University of Tsukuba
Japan
Founding year: 2010
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Anti-doping; Gender Equality and Inclusion; History; Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin; Paralympic Games and Paralympic Movement; Tokyo 2020
Contact: Satoshi Shimizu and Taro Obayashi
Beijing Sport University
People's Republic of China
Founding year: 1994
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Art and culture; Beijing 2022; Gender Equality and Inclusion; Legacy and Sustainability; Marketing; Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin
Contact: Fang Wang
Capital University of Physical Education and Sports
People's Republic of China
Founding year: 2019
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Beijing 2008, Beijing 2022, Gender Equality and Inclusion, Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin
Contact: Xia Zhang and Fang Liang
Renmin University of China
PE Department
People's Republic of China
Founding year: 2000
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Art and Culture, Beijing 2008, Beijing 2022, Communication and Media, Legacy and Sustainability, Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin, Sociological Aspects of the Olympic Games (Volunteers)
Contact: Li Shuwang
Tsinghua University
Academy of Art and Design
People's Republic of China
Founding year: 2021
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Art and Culture, Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin
Contact: Chuan Qin , Sai Ma, Weiwei Zhao and Zhipeng Su
Shanghai University of Sport
People's Republic of China
Founding year: 2021
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Beijing 2008; Gender Equality and Inclusion; History; International Relations and Diplomacy; Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin
Contact: Peijie Chen, Hong Fan and Guohua Zheng
Nantong University
School of Sports Science
People's Republic of China
Founding year: 2014
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Ethics and Law; History; Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin; Sociological Aspects of the Olympic Games
Contact: Tao Liu
Central Academy of Fine Arts
People's Republic of China
Founding year: 2004
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Art and Culture; Beijing 2008; Beijing 2022; Legacy and Sustainability
Contact: Cunzhen Lin
Harbin Institute of Technology
People's Republic of China
Founding year: 2022
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Esports; Legacy and Sustainability; Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin; Technology
Contact: Hong Zhang and Bai FRAYURI
Korea National Sport University
Republic of Korea
Founding year: 2019
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Legacy and Sustainability, Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin
Contact: Ik Young Chang and Ooksang Cho
Kangwon National University
Republic of Korea
Founding year: 2016
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Legacy and Sustainability, Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin
Contact: Seok Pyo Hong
Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University
Faculty of Science and Technology
Thailand
Founding year: 2023
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Athletes and Coaching; Gender Equality; Legacy and Sustainable; Olympic Education/Olympism; Olympic Values Education Programme
Contact: Suriyan Somphong
Europe
Vrije University
Faculty of Sport Science & Physiotherapy
Belgium
Founding year: 2022
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Athletes and Coaching (Career development, psychological support, dual career and rehabilitation for Olympic athletes), Gender Equality and Inclusion, History, Management (High performance sport management and sport policy)
Contact: Paul Wylleman
Ghent University
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. JOSC includes as well the Olympic Chair Henri de Baillet Latour and Jacques Rogge (joint chair by Ghent University and Université catholique de Louvain)
Belgium
Founding year: 2023
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Anti-doping, Ethics and Law, Governance, History, Legacy and Sustainability, Management, Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin.
Contact: Bram Constandt
Université catholique de Louvain
Faculté des sciences de la motricité
Belgium
Founding year: 2008
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Gender Equality and Inclusion, Governance, Legacy and Sustainability, Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin
Contact: Géraldine Zeimers
National Sports Academy « Vassil Levski »
Department of the Management and History of Sport
Bulgaria
Founding year: 2022
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Art and Culture; Communication and Media; History; Management; Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin
Contact: Lozan MITEV
Université de Franche-Comté
France
Founding year: 2019
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin, Paris 2024
Contact: Éric Monnin
University of Rouen Normandy
France
Founding year: 2023
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Economy and Tourism; History; Legacy and Sustainability; Marketing; Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin; Olympic Sports and Olympic Programme; Paralympic Games and Paralympic Movement
Contact: Charly MACHEMEHL
German Sport University Cologne
Institute of Sport History
Germany
Founding year: 2005
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Athletes and Coaching, Governance, History, International Relations and Diplomacy, Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin
Contact: Stephan Wassong
Hosted as an "Affiliated Research Institute" by the Rectorate of the Westphalian Wilhelm's-University of Münster (WWU)
Partner of the Institute of Sport and Exercise Sciences at WWU
Germany
Founding year: 1992
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Ethics and Law, Gender Equality and Inclusion, History, International Relations and Diplomacy, Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin, Paralympic Games and Paralympic Movement, Sport for development and peace/Contribution to SDGs
Contact: Michael Krüger and Sebastian Brückner
Canterbury Christ Church University
Faculty of Science, Engineering and Social Sciences
Great Britain
Founding year: 2021
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Athletes and Coaching (safeguarding, mental health and wellbeing); Ethics and Law; Gender Equality and Inclusion , Governance , Human Rights , International Relations and Diplomacy , O. education / Olympism / Pierre de Coubertin; Sport for develop.& peace / Contribution to SDGs
Contact: Dikaia Chatziefstathiou
Liverpool John Moores University
Liverpool Business School
Great Britain
Founding year: 2023
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Gender Equality and Inclusion; Human Rights; Legacy and Sustainability; Paralympic Games and Paralympic Movement
Contact: Marcus Hansen
University of Edinburgh
Institute for Sport; Physical Education and Sport Sciences
Great Britain
Founding year: 2022
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Athletes and Coaching, International Relations and Diplomacy, Legacy and Sustainability, Management, Marketing
Contact: Jung Woo Lee and Louis Nolte
University of Hull
Energy and Environment Institute
Great Britain
Founding year: 2022
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Athletes and Coaching, Legacy and Sustainability
Contact: John Toner and Zishang Zhu
Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences
Faculty of Business and Social Sciences
Norway
Founding year: 2018
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Legacy and Sustainability, Lillehammer 1994, Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin, Oslo 1952
Contact: Trine Lövold Syversen and Jörg Krieger
University of Warsaw
Faculty of Management
Poland
Founding year: 2022
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Athletes and Coaching, Gender Equality and Inclusion, Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin, Sport for development and peace/Contribution to SDGs
Contact: Grzegorz Botwina
Russian Federation
Founding year: 2009
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Ethics and Law, International Relations and Diplomacy, Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin
Contact: Nickolay Peshin
Universitat de Girona
Facultat d'Educació i Psicologia
Spain
Founding year: 2014
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Legacy and Sustainability, Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin
Contact: Raquel Font lladó and Pere Hidaldo
INEF Galicia Universidad de A Coruña
Facultad de Ciencias del Deporte y la Educación Física
Spain
Founding year: 2023
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Athletes and Coaching, Gender Equality and Inclusion, Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin
Contact: Isidoro Hornillos Baz
Universidad Alfonso X el Sabio
Facultad Ciencias de la Salud
Spain
Founding year: 2023
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Athletes and Coaching, Gender Equality and Inclusion, Legacy and Sustainability, Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin
Contact: Iñaki QUINTANA GARCÍA-MILLA
Universidad de Alicante
Facultad de Educación
Spain
Founding year: 2022
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Communication and Media; Gender Equality and Inclusion; Governance; History; Management; Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin
Contact: Juan Manuel Cortell Tormo
Universidad de Deusto
Facultad de Educación y Deporte
Spain
Founding year: 2020
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin
Contact: Iker Sáez Gómez De Cadiñanos
Universidad Europea de Madrid
Facultad de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y el Deporte y Fisioterapia
Spain
Founding year: 2012
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Athletes and Coaching, Gender Equality and Inclusion, History, Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin
Contact: Álvaro FERNÁNDEZ
Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
Facultad de Formación de Profesorado y Educación Departamento de Educación Física; Deporte y Motricidad Humana
Spain
Founding year: 2006
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Gender Equality and Inclusion, History, Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin, Paralympic Games and Paralympic Movement
Contact: Maria Eugenia Martínez Gorroño
Universidad de Extremadura
Facultad de Ciencias del Deporte
Spain
Founding year: 2022
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Athletes and Coaching, Gender Equality and Inclusion, Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin
Contact: Juan Pedro Fuentes Garcia
Universidad de Vigo
Facultad de Ciencias de la Educación y del Deporte
Spain
Founding year: 2006
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Gender Equality and Inclusion, Governance, History, Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin
Contact: María José Martínez Patiño
Universidad Católica de Murcia
Facultad de Deporte
Spain
Founding year: 2001
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Athletes and Coaching, Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin
Contact: Juan Alfonso García Roca
Universidad de Granada
Facultad de Ciencias del Deporte
Spain
Founding year: 1995
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Gender Equality and Inclusion; Legacy and Sustainability; Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin; Paralympic Games and Paralympic Movement
Contact: Pilar Martos Fernández
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Spain
Founding year: 1989
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Athletes and Coaching, Communication and Media, Ethics and Law, Gender Equality and Inclusion, Legacy and Sustainability, Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin
Contact: Emilio Fernández Peña
Academic founders: University of Lausanne; EPFL; University of Geneva; EHL and IMD
Switzerland
Founding year: 2002
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Economy and Tourism, Esports, Governance, Legacy and Sustainability, Technology
Contact: Cédric Vanden Bogaerde
National University of Ukraine on Physical Education and Sport
Ukraine
Founding year: 1993
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Athletes and Coaching, History, Human Rights, Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin, Olympic Sports and Olympic Programme
Contact: Mariia Bulatova
Oceania
The University of Queensland
School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences
Australia
Founding year: 1996
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Athletes and Coaching; Economy and Tourism; History; Legacy and Sustainability; Olympic education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin; Paralympic Games and Paralympic Movement; Technology
Contact: John Cairney and Stephen Townsend
University of Technology Sydney
UTS Business School Department of Management
Australia
Founding year: 2005
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Anti-doping, Economy and Tourism, Gender Equality and Inclusion, Governance, International Relations and Diplomacy, Legacy and Sustainability, Management, Paralympic Games and Paralympic Movement
Contact: Daryl Adair
Victoria University
College of Sport and Exercise Science
Australia
Founding year: 2021
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Athletes and Coaching (Data Analytics for Olympic Games Performances), Ethics and Law, Gender Equality and Inclusion, Governance, History, Management (Information & Management Systems), Security and Terrorism, Sociological aspects of the Olympic Games
Contact: Tracy Taylor and Richard Baka
University of Canterbury
New Zealand
Founding year: 2007
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin
Contact: Ian Culpan and Susannah Stevens
The Americas
Universidad Nacional del Litoral
Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas
Argentina
Founding year: 2016
Olympic-related academic expertise(s):Management, Olympic education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin
Contact: Silvia Dalotto De Marco and Javier E. Villarreal Doldán
Federal University of Viçosa
Physical Education Department
Brazil
Founding year: 2021
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Athletes and Coaching, Communication and Media, Gender Equality and Inclusion, Marketing, Paralympic Games and Paralympic Movement
Contact: Doiara Silva Dos Santos
Federal University of Sergipe
Brazil
Founding year: 2017
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Athletes and Coaching, Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin, Olympic Sports and Olympic Programme (Badminton), Paralympic Games and Paralympic Movement
Contact: Marcelo de Castro Haiachi and Aiton Fernando Santana De Oliveira
Rio de Janeiro State University
Programa Pos-Graduacao em Ciencias do Exercicio e Esporte
Brazil
Founding year: 2014 (originally created in 1992 at the University Gama Filho)
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Art and Culture, Ethics and Law (Intellectual Property), Gender Equality and Inclusion, Governance, History, Legacy and Sustainability, Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin
Contact: Bianca Gama Pena
Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul
School of Health and Life Sciences
Brazil
Founding year: 2002
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Art and Culture, Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin
Contact: Nelson Todt
The University of Western Ontario
Faculty of Health Sciences
Canada
Founding year: 1989
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Anti-doping, Ethics and Law, Gender Equality and Inclusion
Contact: Angela Schneider
Universidad de Concepción Chile
Facultad de Educación Departamento de Educación Física
Chile
Founding year: 1999
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Gender Equality and Inclusion, Governance, Legacy and Sustainability, Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin
Contact: Miguel Cornejo Amestica
Universidad de Ciencias Aplicadas y Ambientales U.D.C.A.
Facultad Ciencias de la Salud
Colombia
Founding year: 2009
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Athletes and Coaching, Gender Equality and Inclusion, Governance, Legacy and Sustainability, Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin
Contact: Jeansy Alonson Rodriguez Buitrago
Universidad de Pamplona
Facultad de Educación Departamento Educación Física; Recreación y Deportes
Colombia
Founding year: 2020
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Ethics and Law, Governance, History, Management, Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin
Contact: Oscar Yesid Rivera Gamboa, Iván David Ortiz Pimienta and Ever Leonardo Arias Araque
Fundación Universitaria del Área Andina Seccional Pereira
Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud y el Deporte
Colombia
Founding year: 2018
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Gender Equality and Inclusion, Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin
Contact: Daniel Alfonso Montenegro Sarmiento
Unviversidad San Buenaventura Cali
Facultad de Ciencias Humanas y Sociales
Colombia
Founding year: 2024
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Gender Equality and Inclusion; Governance; Human Rights; Legacy and Sustainability; Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin; Sport for develop.& peace/Contribution to SDGs
Contact: Claudia Fernanda ROJAS NÚÑEZ
Corporación Universitaria del Caribe CECAR
Facultad de Humanidades y Educación
Colombia
Founding year: 2019
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Governance, Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin
Contact: Harry Javier Buelvas Giron
Escuela Nacional del Deporte
Facultad de Ciencias de la Educación y del Deporte
Colombia
Founding year: 2018
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Gender Equality and Inclusion, Governance, Legacy and Sustainability, Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin
Contact: Patricia Martínez and Carlos Andrés Quiroz Mora
Universidad de Antioquia
Instituto Universitario de Educación Física y Deporte
Colombia
Founding year: 2018
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Gender Equality and Inclusion, Governance, History
Contact: Juan Francisco Gutierrez Betancur
Universidad de Cundinamarca
Facultad de Ciencias del Deporte y la Educación Física
Colombia
Founding year: 2019
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Gender Equality and Inclusion, Legacy and Sustainability, Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin
Contact: Luis Rafael Hutchison Salazar
Universidad de San Buenaventura - Cartagena
Facultad de Educación
Colombia
Founding year: 2019
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Gender Equality and Inclusion; Legacy and Sustainability; Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin
Contact: Guillermo Andres Garrido Ortega
Universidad Libre - Sede Bogotá
Facultad Ciencias de la Educación
Colombia
Founding year: 2019
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Athletes and Coaching, Gender Equality and Inclusion, History, Legacy and Sustainability, Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin, Paralympic Games and Paralympic Movement
Contact: Martín Emilio Henao Vásquez
Universidad del Tolima
Facultad de Ciencias de la Educación
Colombia
Founding year: 2019
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): History; Legacy and Sustanability; Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin
Contact: Luis Felipe Contecha Carrillo
Centro de Estudios Superiores de las Culturas
Facultad de Cultura Física y Deporte
Mexico
Founding year: 2008
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): History, Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin
Contact: Jaime Perez Arcos
Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua
Mexico
Founding year: 2019
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): TBC
Contact: Javier Bernabe Gonzales Bustos and Damaris Gabriella Aguirre Aldaz
Universidad Autónoma de Occidente
Mexico
Founding year: 2013
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Gender Equality and Inclusion, Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin, Sport for development and peace/Contribution to SDGs
Contact: Hussein Munoz Helu
Universidad Anáhuac Querétaro
Mexico
Founding year: 2022
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Gender Equality and Inclusion, International Relations and Diplomacy, Management, Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin
Contact: German García Cabrera
Universidad Autónoma de Baja California
Facultad de Deportes - Campus Mexicali
Mexico
Founding year: 2022
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): TBC
Contact: Emilio Manuel Arráyales Millán
Universidad Panamericana Campus Aguascalientes
Mexico
Founding year: 2012
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Olympic Education/Olympism/Pierre de Coubertin
Contact: Luis Enrique Rejas Sanguesa
Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas
Peru
Founding year: 2023
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Governance; Management; Marketing
Contact: Raul A. Rosales Zavaleta
Lundquist College of Business at the University of Oregon
United States of America
Founding year: 2024
Olympic-related academic expertise(s): Gender, Equality and Inclusion; International Relations and Diplomacy; Legacy and Sustainability; Management, Marketing; Olympic Sports and Olympic Programme (Track and Field); Sociological Aspects of the Olympic Games
Contact: Yoav DUBINSKY