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News>WGI contributes to 1st International Olympic Research Conference in India
February 4, 2025

WGI contributes to 1st International Olympic Research Conference in India

Yoonkyu Song attended the 1st International Olympic Research Conference in India as a delegate of the Willibald Gebhardt Institute (WGI). The conference was hosted by Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU, Vice Chancellor: Dr. Bimal N. Patel). RRU, located in Gujarat, India, is an Institute of National Importance specializing in national and internal security, policing, and law enforcement education. In 2024, RRU established Bharat Centre of Olympic Research and Education (BCORE, Director: Dr. Utsav Chavare), the first Olympic Study and Research Center (OSRC) in the South Asian region. BCORE collaborates as a key partner in the “11+ Network for Olympic Education,” an internal network led by WGI.

This five-day conference (January 27-31, 2025) aimed to provide a global platform for knowledge exchange, research presentations, and collaborative learning in the field of Olympics and Olympic studies. The inaugural edition sought to bring together leading researchers, experts, and practitioners from various sectors—including sports organizations, national institutions, economics, architecture, society, and culture—to foster academic discourse and promote innovative practices in Olympic research and education. The program featured keynote and expert sessions, panel discussions, paper presentations, an OSRC session, and a vibrant cultural program that highlighted India’s rich spiritual heritage and its potential as a future host city for the 2036 Olympic Games.

As WGI delegate, Yoonkyu Song presented on the topic “Munich and Seoul Olympic Games: Politics and Sport in Divided Nations”, sharing WGI’s expertise and experience on national strategies for hosting the Olympic Games, Olympic legacy in sport science and institutions, and domestic, national, and international analyses on the challenges and outcomes of the 1972/1988 Olympic Games. During the OSRC Session, he introduced WGI’s legacy and contributions as one of the earliest members of the OSRC Network, emphasizing WGI’s role as an independent, non-profit research institution with a unique vision. His presentation provided inspiration to fellow institutions within the network.

Moving forward, WGI will continue to play a leading role within the OSRC Network, strengthening collaborations with global partners to contribute to both the theoretical foundations and practical applications of the Olympic education. WGI sincerely appreciates BCORE’s warm hospitality and fully supports their initiatives in advancing the Olympic Movement in India.

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