On Friday, October 24, representatives of the American Hellenic Council (AHC) attended a remarkable lecture by Mr. Isidoros Kouvelos, President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, held at the University of Southern California (USC).
The lecture, titled “From Olympism in the Time of Coubertin to the Contemporary Challenges of the Olympic Movement,” was organized by the Consulate General of Greece in Los Angeles in collaboration with the USC Center on Public Diplomacy.
Dr. Yannis Yortsos, Dean of USC School of Engineering, opened the event.
Mr. Kouvelos delivered an insightful and thought-provoking presentation that traced the philosophical, historical, and social dimensions of the Olympic Movement from antiquity to the modern era.
He began by exploring the origins of Olympism, a social philosophy born on the marbles of ancient Olympia, rooted in universal human values such as excellence, respect, and friendship. Drawing from Greek philosophical thought, particularly the works of Aristotle and Plato, he emphasized how these ancient ideals continue to resonate in today’s global society.
The lecture then shifted to Pierre de Coubertin’s vision, highlighting the French educator’s determination to revive the Olympic Games in the late 19th century and establish Olympism as an international movement. Mr. Kouvelos outlined the three distinct eras of the Olympic Movement, reflecting its evolution, political challenges, and moments of triumph—from boycotts and ideological confrontations to renewed global unity through sport.
He also reflected on the three contemporary leaders who shaped the modern Olympic era, Rogge, Bach, alongside Coubertin, underscoring their contributions to preserving the Olympic spirit amid social and political turbulence.
The lecture concluded with Coubertin’s timeless reminder:
“Olympism is not a system, it is a state of mind. It can permeate a wide variety of modes of expression and no single race or era can claim to have the monopoly of it.”
The AHC extends its congratulations to the Consulate General of Greece and USC for this inspiring initiative and looks forward to the upcoming events in the OLYMPIC IDEALS series as Los Angeles prepares to host the world once again in 2028.
