I believe that a center of Olympic Studies would contribute, more than anything else, to the preservation and continuation of my work and would protect it from the deviations, which I am afraid will happen".
De Coubertin believed that institution would be responsible for the research, the philosophy and the principles of Olympism, the study of the means and methods for the realization and the application of its ideas in our continuously progressing contemporary world.
In 1938, Carl Diem, a leading figure in the German sports movement, and Ioannis Ketseas, Member of the IOC, proposed establishing this center in Greece.
In 2001, the IOA became a private legal entity, acquiring an operational autonomy, with the financial support of the Greek government and the IOC.
Over 80,000 people have attended the IOA sports and scientific Congresses and Seminars, including 20.000 participants in the official Sessions.