MEMOS XXVIII Graduates at the International Olympic Academy in Greece

In September of 2025, sport professionals from thirty-five countries and from organisations across the Olympic Movement, including National Olympic Committees and International Federations, met in Lausanne, Switzerland, to start their MEMOS programme.

Throughout the year, over four sessions in four different countries, they learned from the MEMOS professors in modules such as Olympic Sport Organisation Marketing, Strategic Management and Governance, and Financial Management. They worked with their tutors on their thesis projects – gathering the needed information to turn their sport organisation’s needs into a well-researched and planned action plan. And they became friends.

On their final day of public presentations and graduation, their inspiring thesis projects and friendships stood out inside of the International Olympic Academy’s auditorium.

MEMOS XXVIII Graduate Bronson Tebogo Mokabela of South Africa with IOA President, Prof. Charilaos Tsolakis and Professor Thierry Zintz

MEMOS XXVIII graduate Mamots’abi Aelx-Mary Lekhabunyane of Lesotho with IOA President, Prof. Charilaos Tsolakis

The final announcement of the MEMOS in English graduation ceremony is the Madella Award. Since 2008, the Madella Award recognizes a project graded as high distinction. This year’s winner is Mr. Abdullah Inanc Duman from Turkiye! His project, “Developing an Olympic Games Preparation Guidebook for the Turkish Olympic Committee”, was tutored by Prof. Leigh Robinson.

MEMOS XXVIII also had the honour of being Professor Thierry Zintz’s last cohort with MEMOS in English. Professor Zintz has served MEMOS for two decades. During that time, he has guided, challenged, and encouraged more than 700 MEMOS participants from across the Olympic Movement.

Professor Zintz’s mentorship has never been limited to transferring knowledge. He has helped people develop the judgment, confidence, and perspective required to lead. He asks thoughtful questions. He listens carefully. He offers honest advice. And, perhaps most importantly, he makes himself available when that advice is needed.

Director Milena Parent and Professor Thierry Zintz at the MEMOS XXVIII Graduation in Greece

His influence is woven into MEMOS: into its academic quality, its international community, and the generations of leaders who have carried what they learned from you back to their organizations and countries.

Professor Zintz has been a force within the MEMOS world, and his wisdom and patience will be missed.

Congratulations MEMOS XXVIII, we look forward to meeting you at future Alumni events!

Peace, Love, MEMOS XXVIII!