Theodora Palli Petralia

Theodora Palli Petralia  is the Secretary General of the Hellenic Olympic Academy, an elected member of the committee of the International Modern Pentathlon Union, and a consultant on Olympic, educational, and social issues. She is married to Panagiotis Sioutos, and they have a 21-year-old daughter, Thalia.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

2024 – Member of the Scientific Committee, Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs, and Sports

Member of the unpaid scientific committee responsible for evaluating and drafting handling and response protocols for incidents of school violence and bullying for the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs, and Sports. The committee authored the protocols for managing school bullying incidents and is responsible for the scientific oversight of the complaint platform stop-bullying.gov.gr.

2010-2023 Deputy Director, International Olympic Truce Centre

Deputy Director and Head of Educational Programs at the International Olympic Truce Centre, an official IOC institution promoting peace through sports. Theodora develops and implements educational programs targeting primary and secondary school students. The programs focus on Olympic values and peace, sports for development and social inclusion, and addressing school bullying and racism. They have been implemented in over 80,000 students and 4,500 teachers, translated into multiple languages, and executed worldwide, including in remote Greek islands such as Kastellorizo, Astypalaia, Karpathos, Kasos, and Chalki.

Key international collaborations include participation in the Cultural and Educational Program of the Youth Olympic Games, teaching at leadership camps organized by the UN Office on Sport for Development and Peace, and organizing the annual “Imagine Peace Youth Camp” in Ancient Olympia.

Publisher and Editor of Children’s Books

Theodora is a publisher, author, and editor of numerous children’s books on Olympic values, peace, bullying, and the environment. Among them, the comic book Olympic Truce, published in seven languages and distributed globally via UNESCO, was offered as an official gift by the IOC at the Torino 2006 Winter Olympics and included in Greece’s Olympic Education Program.

Communication and International Relations Consultant

Theodora has worked as a communications and international relations consultant and has served in various ministries, including:

• Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (2007 – 2009)
• Ministry of Tourism Development (2006 – 2007)
• Ministry of Culture (responsible for Athens 2004 Olympic Games and post-Olympic legacy, 2004 – 2006)

EDUCATION

She is a PhD candidate at the University of the Peloponnese, Department of Sports Management. She holds an M.Sc. in Analysis, Design, and Management of Information Systems from the London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE), where she graduated with distinction, and a B.Sc. in Business Administration from City University London. She speaks English and French.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

For her contributions to Olympic education, sports, and social issues, Theodora has received numerous awards and honors, including:

• International Olympic Committee (IOC) for her contribution to the success of the 2nd Winter Youth Olympic Games (Lillehammer 2016), the 2nd Youth Olympic Games (Nanjing 2014), the Youth Olympic Games (Buenos Aires 2018), and the Winter Youth Olympic Games (Lausanne 2020).
• International organization “Peace and Sport.”
• Hellenic Olympic Academy.
• Hellenic Wrestling Federation.
• Greek-Egyptian Nautical Club.

She has been honored by multiple organizations and associations for her work against school bullying, including the Hellenic Olympians Association, the Panathenaic Women’s Organization, the Panhellenic Gymnastics Association, the Municipality of Karpathos, the Municipality of Kasos, and the Athens Festival Connect Athens.

SPORTING ACTIVITIES

Coming from a family with a strong tradition in sports and the Olympic Movement, Theodora has participated in various activities related to the promotion of the Olympic Idea and has extensive experience in organizing Olympic Games. Since 1992, she has been present—either as a member or a supporter of the Greek Olympic delegations—at the Olympic Games in Barcelona, Atlanta, Sydney, Salt Lake City, Athens, Torino, Beijing, Vancouver, London, Sochi, Nanjing, Rio, Paris, as well as in many international sports events. She also served as an international relations officer at the Ministry of Culture during the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

POSITIONS HELD

• 2024 – 2028 Member of the Business Affairs Committee, UIPM, International Modern Pentathlon Union
• 2024 – 2028 Member of the Communications Committee, European Olympic Academies
• 2021 – 2024 President, Modern Pentathlon Federation
• 2016 – 2025 Secretary General, Hellenic Olympic Academy
• 2021 – 2023 Executive Committee Member, “Live Athletic,” an innovative program by the Deputy Ministry of Sports
• 2022 – 2024 Board Member, “Women and Sport” Committee, International Modern Pentathlon Union (UIPM)
• 2022 – Board Member, “Pierre de Coubertin” Committee, International Modern Pentathlon Union (UIPM)
• 2012 – 2016 Board Member, International Olympic Academy
• 2008 – 2012 Board Member, Hellenic Sailing Federation
• 2012 – 2016 Chair, Paralympic Committee, Hellenic Sailing Federation
• 2008 – 2012 Board Member, Hellenic Olympic Academy