2022 Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

Opportunities and Challenges of Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

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Stathis Avramidis, PhD

Dr. Stathis Avramidis DipEd, BEd, MSc, MPH, PhD serves the fields
of injury prevention and water safety in numerous organizations.
He is an officer at the National Public Health Organization, the
President of the Greek Lifesaving Sports Association and teacher of
the modules “applied lifeguarding” and “lifesaving sport” at the
School of Physical Education and Sports Science of Athens
University (2016-). He has worked as a Lecturer of Aquatics and
Visiting Research Fellow at Leeds Metropolitan University, UK
(2003-2012). With 19 books and about 300+ publications,
conference presentations and research papers, he is one of the
most prolific safety and lifesaving advocates in the world.

For his scholarly, academic and professional activities, he has been
honored 18 times by important organizations. These include 2
awards by the International Swimming Hall of Fame, 4 Diploma
Awards by the Royal Life Saving Society Commonwealth (whose
Patron is Queen Elizabeth II) and 2 international film awards for his
worldwide contribution to the lifesaving. He has acted as a co-
chairman and member of organizing committees of film festivals
and conferences under the auspices of
international organizations. He is considered the
"father" of lifesaving sport in Greece.

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Ioannis Dimakopoulos, MSc

Ioannis Dimakopoulos DipEd, BEd, MSc was born in Ioannina. He is
a graduate of the Department of Physical Education and Sports
Science of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh); Graduate
of the AUTh Theological School and holder of a Master Degree of
the School of Humanities (National Open University); Graduate of
the 3-year program "Introduction to the Science of Popular
Culture" of the Academy of Popular Culture and Local History with
the DUTH and the University of the Aegean. He serves as Principal
at the Primary School of Leontari, Karditsa and is certified in
Education Administration by the EKDDA. He is a member and
reviewer at the Scientific Association for the Promotion of
Innovation; Lecturer of training seminars-actions for distance
education at PEKES Thessaly. He is the Head of Education of the
Greek Lifesaving Sports Association, a member of the Gymnastics
Association of Northern Greece, Technical Advisor to children's
football academies and Scientific Advisor to KDAP with activities in
innovative physical education programs related to outdoor
activities and sports. He is a Teacher of Theology at the Youth

Centers of the Holy Metropolis of Thessaly and
Fanariofarsala. He has written 6 books, 4
chapters, 45 articles and 20+ papers in
scientific conferences. He is married and has
three children.

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Ioanna Mastora, PhD

Dr. Ioanna Mastora DipEd, BEd, MEd, PhD is a scholar of renowned
international prestige with diverse academic work and post-
doctoral researcher at Athens University. She has 18 years of
teaching experience (Universities of Thessaloniki, Peloponnese,
West Attica, Indianapolis, Hellenic Police Officers School, Athens
Vocational School). She was a Scientific Advisor to the Organizing
Committee "Athens 2004", at the Ministry of Sports, Secretary
General and Managing Director at the International Foundation for
Olympic and Sports Education, Secretary General at the Olympic
Center of Philosophy and Education - Humanities in the World. Dr.
Mastora is a prolific scholar (books, scientific announcements,
articles, chapters, dozens of TV appearances). Among her work,
there is “Champion in Life!" (it was taught in schools on 5
continents approved by IOC and UNESCO), "The Association - the
living cell of Sports" (General Secretariat of Sports), "Raise a
champion" for kindergartens, and the publication "Shadow of
Honor" of the Ministry of Culture. She has participated as an
international reviewer of the IOC's "Teaching Values" training
package for Beijing, international festivals and documentaries for
the Olympic Games. She is a member of international
organizations and has received international awards.

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Greek Lifesaving Sports Association

The loss of 3 family members at sea, inspired the establishment of
the Greek Lifesaving Sports Association (Athens Court of First
Instance 489499/4-2-2020, General Secretariat of Sports 48/19-6-
2020). Its vision is to undertake national deeds with international
impact for drowning prevention. Its mission is to bridge public
health with sports for injury prevention.

It is a member of the International Life Saving Federation, the
International Life Saving Federation of Europe, the International
Federation of Swimming Teachers' Association and ally of
prestigious national and international organizations. It has
members in 30 countries.

The GLSA benefits thousands of people in Greece and dozens of
thousands overseas through its work. It organizes civil, military,
university lifesaving championships with national and international
participation. It introduced for first time in the world, the
participation of persons with disabilities in the lifesaving
championship. It creates and implements international award-
winning drowning prevention programs inspired by Baywatch and
approved by the Ministry of Education and international
organizations. It conducts research, books, campaigns, conference
presentations. It represents Greece in Greece and international
organizations. It publishes the e-magazine “Sport Lifesaver” that is
distributed in 120+ countries. It introduced lifesaving sport as a
module in higher education of Greece.

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Opportunities and Challenges
of Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

Sport is a universal human right. Everyone must be able to
participate in sports without discrimination, based on the Olympic
spirit that requires mutual understanding in the name of
friendship, solidarity and noble rivalry.
Lifesaving sport is the only humanitarian sport and the crown jewel
of the Olympic ideal. Athletes and spectators gain knowledge
about the protection and salvation of a human life on land and
water. In a time of crisis of values and rapid developments at
political, geopolitical, religious and economic level, lifesaving sport
is a capable means for the humanization of people. Lifesaving
sport intends to offer the ethics of the Olympic Games, the right
meaning of spirituality, without which only morality would remain
and the Olympic movement would end up being a meaningless
sports catechism.
The authors take a look at the historical development of the sport
internationally, analyze the challenges we need to overcome and
explain why this sport needs to be included in the Olympic Games.

ISBN: 978-618-00-3452-3

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Opportunities and Challenges of Lifesaving as Olympic Sport

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