To explore the conference’s origins, its successful trajectory, the challenges it faces, and its cooperation with the #enaevents team, we spoke with Eleni Douda, Dean & Professor at the Department of Physical Education & Sport Science (DUTH), and Antonis Kampas, Professor at the same department and Chair of the ICPESS Organizing Committee for the past nine years.
To explore the conference’s origins, its successful trajectory, the challenges it faces, and its cooperation with the #enaevents team, we spoke with Eleni Douda, Dean & Professor at the Department of Physical Education & Sport Science (DUTH), and Antonis Kampas, Professor at the same department and Chair of the ICPESS Organizing Committee for the past nine years.
To explore the conference’s origins, its successful trajectory, the challenges it faces, and its cooperation with the #enaevents team, we spoke with Eleni Douda, Dean & Professor at the Department of Physical Education & Sport Science (DUTH), and Antonis Kampas, Professor at the same department and Chair of the ICPESS Organizing Committee for the past nine years.
Τι αποτέλεσε όμως την έμπνευση για την ίδρυση του θεσμού του Διεθνούς Συνεδρίου Φυσικής Αγωγής & Αθλητισμού και πώς έχει εξελιχθεί στον χρόνο μέχρι να γίνει ένα κορυφαίο διεθνές γεγονός στον τομέα του αθλητισμού και της άσκησης; Την απάντηση μας έδωσε η κα. Δούδα, η οποία μάλιστα αποτέλεσε μέλος της οργανωτικής επιτροπής της πρώτης διοργάνωσης.
Eleni Douda: “Our department began in 1984 and quickly realized we needed new ways to grow academically. We gradually built expertise and an expanding academic network. The concept for the conference came from Prof. Savvas Tokmakidis and met the organizational skill and perfectionism of Prof. Georgios Godolias—who chaired the committee for 14 years. Prof. Efthymis Kiamourtzoglou handled international outreach, elevating the conference beyond Greece, while Prof. Kyriakos Taxildaris organized social evenings at the picturesque Agios Charalambos seaside in Maroneia with local cuisine and music. In 1992, I, alongside dedicated colleagues, formed the first working group preparing the inaugural conference.”
Since then, ICPESS has featured internationally recognized speakers sharing their scientific expertise while also providing a platform for emerging scholars to present their research, exchange views, and foster academic synergy. This interaction occurs via oral and poster presentations, round-table discussions on current sports science topics, and thematic seminars that connect theory with practice. To date, the conference has welcomed over 35,000 participants, hosted more than 10,000 presentations, organized over 150 round tables, and delivered upwards of 160 seminars covering the breadth of sports science.
Antonis Kampas:, the 10th opening ceremony in 2002 stands out as a highlight—featuring figures like Gianna Angelopoulou and Vasso Papandreou. Another pivotal moment was in 1995, when Greek Olympic champions left their handprints outside the Rectorate building.
The conference covers a wide scientific range—from sports psychology and athletic injuries to physical education in schools, coaching, and sports marketing—targeting researchers, coaches, athletes, and all related professionals.
Beyond its scholarly agenda, ICPESS also features parallel events designed to deepen dialogue, promote networking, and facilitate knowledge sharing among international participants. It celebrates excellence each year through opening ceremonies that recognize teams and individuals who have made significant contributions to sport.
Eleni Douda adds: “Each conference has its own energy, history, and memorable moments! I still cherish our artistic performances during opening ceremonies—they require months of preparation with students across different years and fields. The results always justified our efforts and fueled our motivation for the next event.” She reflects on memorable highlights: 1995: Hosting Olympians Kaklamanakis, Melissanidis, and Galaktopoulos 2002: The 10th edition with Gianna Angelopoulou-Daskalaki and Minister Vasso Papandreou 19th conference: Tribute to the Special Olympics featuring its President Gianna Despotoulou 30th anniversary: A richly scientific, academic, and social program
Among those honored for their overall contribution are the National Football Team, with former coach Otto Rehhagel being awarded the title of Honorary Doctor of the Department during the 30th Conference, in the presence of many key figures from the historic 2004 victory. Also honored were the National Basketball Team and its representatives for their long-standing successes, during the Opening Ceremony of the 32nd Conference. This year, it is the turn of the National Water Polo Team, recognized for its numerous victories at both European and World Championship levels.
Since 2014, a special Nikos Samaras Award commemorates the late volleyball player. Recipients include Olympians Pigi Devetzi, marathoner Yannis Tsianos, Paralympian Dimosthenis Michalentzakis, and exercise ambassador Ada Stamatatou. The keynote honoree of the 32nd edition will be Dimosthenis Tampakos, Olympic and World Champion in rings.
Such a multifaceted and multidisciplinary event is, each time, a particularly demanding endeavor, presenting numerous challenges that require continuous effort, collaboration, and creativity to overcome. Mr. Kampas spoke about these challenges involved in organizing the conference, as well as the ways they have been addressed.
Antonis Kampas: In my role as Chairman of the Organizing Committee, I faced many challenges during the planning and execution of the conference. The first was the transition from complete self-organization by people within the Department to outsourcing to an external partner. Despite all the difficulties involved in such a management change, we managed to make it work. Then, perhaps the greatest challenge came during the pandemic, when we had to organize the conference remotely for the first time. The uncertainty was significant, but we successfully managed to carry it out, ensuring the flawless execution of all conference activities and even recording a participation record.
#enaevents, recognizing the significant contribution of the conference, has proudly been the organizer for the past two years. It remains committed to preserving the legacy of the institution, promoting its development, and guiding it towards new successes.
Οι άνθρωποι στον πυρήνα της ομάδας της #enaevents, Σοφία Αργυριάδου, Μαρία Καρυοφυλάκη και Χρήστος Πιτιακούδης έχουν αναλάβει για λογαριασμό της Οργανωτικής Επιτροπής τη γραμματειακή υποστήριξη πριν, κατά τη διάρκεια του συνεδρίου, την προετοιμασία του επικοινωνιακού υλικού, την προβολή & προώθηση της διοργάνωσης, καθώς και τη διαχείριση των χορηγιών και των υποβολών των επιστημονικών εργασιών που θα παρουσιαστούν στο πλαίσιο του.
Ελένη Δούδα: Είχα τη δυνατότητα να γνωρίσω και να συνεργαστώ με το ανθρώπινο δυναμικό της #enaevents στην προετοιμασία του 31ου Δ.Σ.Φ.Α.Α., το οποίο ήταν ένα ιδιαίτερα απαιτητικό συνέδριο, λόγω των ειδικών συνθηκών που επικρατούσαν εκείνη τη χρονική στιγμή και οφείλω να επισημάνω ότι άμεσα διαμορφώθηκε μια σχέση εμπιστοσύνης στη συνεργασία μας. Το μεράκι, ο ενθουσιασμός, η θετική διάθεση, η τεχνογνωσία, ο επαγγελματισμός και η επιμονή για την άρτια υποστήριξη του συνεδρίου αποτέλεσαν τα εργαλεία επιτυχίας για να επιτευχθούν με αποτελεσματικότητα οι στόχοι που είχαμε θέσει. Θεωρώ ότι η συνεργασία μου με νέους ανθρώπους που μοιράζονται απλόχερα τις ιδέες τους και ξεδιπλώνουν έμπρακτα τις ικανότητές τους μέσα από τόσο απαιτητικές και πολυδιάστατες εκδηλώσεις μόνο με θετικά λόγια θα μπορούσε να περιγραφεί και προσδίδει προστιθέμενη αξία σε κάθε είδους συνεργασία που γίνεται αφειδώλευτα για την επίτευξη κοινών στόχων.
The future of the conference looks bright, and the people behind its organization—who have supported it with passion and dedication all these years—are already planning the next steps to ensure the continuation of the institution, having set new goals for the days ahead.
Αντώνης Καμπάς: Για μένα ο σημαντικότερος στόχος είναι η μεγαλύτερη διεθνοποίηση του συνεδρίου με την ενσωμάτωση διεθνών γεγονότων εντός του τριημέρου και την προσέλκυση περισσότερων συνέδρων από Βαλκανικές χώρες. Θεωρώ εφικτό, να γίνει το συνέδριο το κεντρικό συνέδριο Αθλητικής Επιστήμης, όλων των Βαλκανικών χωρών.
According to Mr. Kampas, future plans for renewing and further upgrading the event include transitioning to a hybrid format, with simultaneous live streaming of the conference covering 50% of the program, and the inclusion of an international-scale event that anyone from anywhere in the world can follow during the conference sessions. Additionally, an ideal development for him would be the creation of a “student conference” within the main conference, entirely organized by students. This student conference would take place prior to the main sessions and serve as a learning experience for the undergraduate students of the Department.
Ευχαριστούμε την κα. Δούδα, τον κ. Καμπά, αλλά και όλους τους συντελεστές του συνεδρίου για την εμπιστοσύνη και τη συνεργασία τους και προετοιμαζόμαστε πυρετωδώς για την προσεχή 32η διοργάνωση, η οποία θα πραγματοποιηθεί στις 31 Μαΐου έως 2 Ιουνίου 2024, στην Κομοτηνή.
*Στη δημιουργία της 28ης Business Story συμμετείχε η ομάδα Marketing της ena Σύμβουλοι Ανάπτυξης.
