The Athlete365 Career+ Workshop Self Discovery/CV Resume was successfully held from 9 to 11 October 2026 at the International Olympic Academy (IOA) in Ancient Olympia, Greece. Organised by the Athletes’ Commission of the Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOC) in collaboration with the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Athlete365 programme, the workshop aimed to support athletes in their personal development and professional preparation for life during and beyond their sporting careers.

The workshop brought together 31 athletes representing 27 National Sports Federations, including 17 women and 14 men, highlighting the sporting community’s strong interest in initiatives that provide valuable knowledge, practical skills and new opportunities beyond the field of play.

The organisation and coordination of the workshop were undertaken on behalf of the HOC Athletes’ Commission by its President, Voula Kozompoli OLY, and Commission member Dimitris Mougios OLY, who played a key role in the successful delivery of the initiative.

Opening the workshop, the President of the HOC Athletes’ Commission, Voula Kozompoli OLY, welcomed the participants to Ancient Olympia and emphasised the importance of investing in their personal and professional development:

“Today, we turn our attention to your individual journeys, your potential and the opportunities that lie ahead, both during your sporting careers and beyond.

I hope these two days will give you the opportunity to discover new aspects of yourselves and gain knowledge that will prove valuable in the future. Equally important is the opportunity to share your experiences, connect with one another and learn from each other.

I encourage you to participate actively, ask questions and, above all, enjoy this experience. Thank you for being here, and I wish you two inspiring and productive days.”

Welcoming the athletes, the President of the International Olympic Academy, Dr Charilaos Tsolakis, stated:

“It is particularly important that representatives of so many National Sports Federations have gathered here in Ancient Olympia to discuss their present and their future. Our responsibility towards athletes does not end with their sporting careers; it also extends to supporting their transition into the next chapter of their lives.

Your voice is at the heart of this process. I encourage you to speak openly, exchange experiences and share your ideas and suggestions.”

The educational programme focused on two key modules: “Self-Discovery” and “CV/Resume.”

During the Self-Discovery module, participants explored their personal values, interests and transferable skills, gaining a deeper understanding of their strengths and potential beyond sport.

The CV/Resume module focused on career preparation, offering practical guidance on developing an effective CV and exploiting the valuable skills acquired through high-performance sport.

Beyond the educational sessions, the workshop provided opportunities for athletes to connect, share experiences and build relationships across different sporting disciplines, strengthening the sense of community within Greek sport.

As part of the programme, participants enjoyed guided tours of the archaeological site of Ancient Olympia and the facilities of the International Olympic Academy.

A particularly meaningful moment was the wreath-laying ceremony at the monument of Pierre de Coubertin, performed by three Olympic medallists: Voula Kozompoli OLY, Dimitris Mougios OLY and Antonis Papakonstantinou OLY.

The workshop brought together athletes from a wide range of sports, reflecting the diversity and strength of the Greek sporting community.

Participants included: Antonis Papakonstantinou OLY (Rowing), Marousa Pappou OLY (Skiing), Maria Prevolaraki OLY (Wrestling), Tatiana Gousin OLY (Athletics), Kyriaki Kydonaki (Karate), Maria Kardara (Weightlifting), Iris-Panagiota Itsiou (Modern Pentathlon), Maria Belli (Rowing), Eleni Barmpati (Equestrian), Iosifina Marinakou (Canoeing), Anastasia Papadimitriou (Gymnastics), Rania Nomikou (Triathlon), Melina Karidi (Taekwondo), Xenia Lasda (Hockey), Nefeli Rodopoulou (Fencing), Chara Vlachantoni (Badminton), Nikolas Gkinis (Judo), Emilios Tsiridis (Golf), Theofilos Afthinos (Diving), Giorgos Stavrakakis (Cycling), Loukas Soukeras (Baseball), Spyros Provelengios (Sailing), Giorgos Konstantinopoulos (Table Tennis), Konstantinos Vertoudos (Shooting), Emmanouil Athanasakis (Sport Climbing), Christos Xygkakis (Ski Mountaineering), Ifinoi Davveta (Artistic Swimming), Polychronis Chronopoulos PLY (Athletics).

Voula Kozompoli OLY: “Providing Athletes with the Tools to Shape Their Future”

Reflecting on the successful completion of the workshop, the President of the HOC Athletes’ Commission, Voula Kozompoli OLY, stated:

“We are particularly pleased by the strong participation of athletes representing 27 different National Sports Federations, which confirms the need for initiatives of this kind.

Our goal is to provide athletes with meaningful tools and resources to support their personal and professional development at every stage of their journey.

I would like to sincerely thank the International Olympic Committee and Athlete365 for their collaboration, the International Olympic Academy for its hospitality, and all the participating athletes for their active engagement and contribution.”

Antonis Papakonstantinou OLY: “A Valuable Experience for Our Future”

Olympic medallist Antonis Papakonstantinou OLY shared his experience of the workshop:

“It was an extremely interesting and rewarding experience that helped us recognise our strengths and skills beyond sport and gain valuable knowledge for our professional future.

Equally important was the opportunity to exchange experiences with athletes from different sports.

I would like to thank the HOC Athletes’ Commission and Athlete365 for this initiative, and I hope that more opportunities like this will follow.”

With athletes and their needs at the centre of its mission, the Athletes’ Commission of the Hellenic Olympic Committee remains committed to developing initiatives that provide knowledge, opportunities and practical tools to help athletes prepare for their future, both on and off the field of play.