University lecturer to receive prestigious award
20 April 2009
A lecturer from Canterbury Christ Church University will be awarded the first Pierre de Coubertin Prize for her world-leading Olympic research.
Dr Dikaia Chatziefstathiou with with Baron Geoffrey de Navacelle de Coubertin and President of the International Olympic Committee, Jacques Rogge.
Senior Lecturer in Sociology of Sport and Leisure, Dr Dikaia Chatziefstathiou, will receive the prestigious prize at a ceremony on Friday 24th April 2009 at the International Olympic Committee headquarters in Vidy, Switzerland.
Dr Chatziefstathiou researched the writings of the founder of the modern Olympic Games, Baron Pierre de Coubertin. Her research revealed several new dimensions about his ideas and values in relation to gender, social class and race, but also how he used his political and diplomatic skills to safeguard the future of the Olympic Games.
The research analysed more than 300 documents of Coubertin since the early years of his involvement with sport and physical activity until the end of his life in 1937.
Dr Chatziefstathiou said: “It feels really rewarding that my efforts in researching Baron Pierre de Coubertin's work have been recognised at this international level and it is an even greater honour that this award comes from the International Pierre de Coubertin Committee and the International Olympic Committee.”
She added: “I could not think of a better way of being recognised and honoured for my research than receiving such a prestigious award in presence of the President of the International Olympic Committee, Jacques Rogge.”
Dr Chatziefstathiou is conducting her research within the University’s Department of Sport Science, Tourism and Leisure and Centre for Sport, Physical Education and Activity Research (SPEAR).
For an interview with Dr Dikaia Chatziefstathiou please contact Canterbury Christ Church University’s Media Relations Officer, David Cutts, on 01227 782391 or email david.cutts@canterbury.ac.uk
Notes to Editor
Dr Chatziefstathiou’s research
Dr Chatziefstathiou’s research explored many dimensions of the changing nature of the Olympic ideals since the early years of the Olympic Movement. A significant part of the project analysed the ideas, motives and plans of the founder of the movement, Baron Pierre de Coubertin.
The research is important for the global academic literature because for the first time there was an investigation of the changes that the ideology has undergone over the last hundred years. It went in great depth to understand the complex power relationships existing in the context of the Olympic Games, especially in relation to Coubertin.
The Centre for Sport, Physical Education and Activity Research (SPEAR)
The Centre for Sport, Physical Education and Activity Research (SPEAR) brings together expertise and facilitates collaboration across and outside Canterbury Christ Church University.
SPEAR conducts theoretically informed critical analyses in sport, physical education, physical activity and leisure. It has funding from a range of public, private and not-for profit organisations which enables it to retain independence from any one funding body or organisation. SPEAR produces outputs that range from theoretical and conceptual academic analyses, through critical commentaries and reflections on current developments, to commissioned research and consultancy, all of which are informed and underpinned by work on the development of effective and efficient methodologies.
SPEAR members have conducted a wide range of Olympic-related research, including research on Olympic physical activity and sport legacies (funded by the Department of Health), on regional Olympic legacies (funded by the Economic and Social Research Council), on Olympic tourism and culture (funded by the South East England Development Agency) and on Olympic ideas and diffusion (funded by the International Olympic Committee). Further information is available at: www.canterbury.ac.uk/SPEAR.
Canterbury Christ Church University
Canterbury Christ Church University has, since its foundation by the Church of England as a teacher training college in 1962, developed a wide range of taught programmes, research and educational services. It continues to be the largest centre of higher education in Kent for the major public services.
The University now has over 15,500 students based in five Faculties: Arts and Humanities, Business and Management, Education, Health and Social Care, Social and Applied Sciences. Our 1,500 staff contribute to the University’s work at our five campuses: Canterbury, Broadstairs, Folkestone (in partnership with the Creative Foundation and the University of Greenwich), Medway (in partnership with the Universities of Greenwich and Kent with Mid-Kent College) and Tunbridge Wells. In so doing we seek to sustain the University’s Mission:
‘Inspired by the University’s Church of England Foundation and the aspirations of its students and staff, our mission is to pursue excellence in academic and professional higher education thereby enriching both individuals and society.’
Contact Details:
David Cutts
01227 782391
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