2012 holds first de Coubertin lecture

This lecture will examine the power of the Games to inspire significant change in the economy, culture, infrastructure and image of a city.

The panel of guests includes Christophe Dubi, Olympic Games Deputy Executive Director at the IOC, who will be delivering the keynote speech, Olympian Jonathan Edwards, Paralympian Ade Adepitan and Andrea Varnier, Ceremonies and Culture Director of the Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Games.

The panel will discuss the influence of athletes and artists as role models and how the Paralympic Games have improved social attitudes towards disability.

The lecture is intended to be an annual event up to 2012 and is inspired by and named after Baron Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic movement and the IOC.

The de Courbertin lecture was presented in association with the RSA (Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce) and the British Olympic Foundation.

In 1904, de Coubertin spoke at the RSA about his vision of the Olympic Games as a catalyst for international friendship, understanding and co-operation through sport.

26 July 2007