International Olympic Research Conference Brings the World to Gujarat
International Olympic Research Conference showcases India’s growing voice in global sport
The Bharat Centre of Olympic Research & Education (BCORE) at Rashtriya Raksha University has announced the 2nd Edition of the International Olympic Research Conference, to be held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, from January 27th to 30th, 2026. BCORE is officially recognised by the International Olympic Committee, which places the centre among a small group of institutions worldwide trusted to support serious Olympic research and education. Such recognition is given only to centres that follow strong academic values and contribute meaningfully to the Olympic Movement.
The conference is organised every year in January, and its second edition shows that the initiative has gained stability and global interest in a short time. Research conferences linked to the Olympics usually focus on more than sport alone. They look at ethics, education, governance, and social impact. By hosting this event annually, BCORE is building a long-term platform where ideas can grow, be tested, and be shared across countries.
This year’s conference will host more than 55 international and national speakers and presenters from fifteen countries. This level of participation shows that Olympic research is no longer limited to a few regions. Scholars and professionals from Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas are now equally involved. Such diversity helps compare how sports systems work in different cultures and what lessons can be shared. It also helps smaller sporting nations learn from countries with long Olympic histories.
The themes of the conference cover key areas such as global governance, transparency, the Olympic Movement, the Commonwealth Games, anti-doping, affordable sports technology solutions, and the importance of sports education. These topics reflect current challenges in world sport. Issues such as transparency and governance have become vital following repeated concerns about corruption and fair decision-making within sports bodies. Affordable sports technology is also gaining attention, as many athletes from developing nations struggle to access high-quality equipment and training tools.
More than 100 research papers will be presented during the conference. These papers will look at subjects linked to Olympic values, sports science, public policy, and education. Research of this kind helps shape future rules, training methods, and athlete welfare systems. Many sports policies used today have their roots in academic studies presented at such conferences years earlier.
A major highlight of the conference is a detailed workshop and discussion on anti-doping, organised in partnership with the National Anti-Doping Agency. Doping remains one of the biggest threats to fair competition. Scientific advances have made both detection and cheating more complex. Workshops like this allow experts to explain new testing methods, risks of banned substances, and the role of education in preventing doping at an early stage.
The anti-doping session will include scientists, researchers, and field experts who work directly with athletes. Their shared experience helps move the discussion beyond punishment to prevention. Clean sport programmes now focus strongly on awareness, especially among young athletes, so that mistakes are avoided before careers are damaged.
The conference is also expected to see strong participation from the Indian Olympic Association and the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports. Their presence links research with real policy decisions. When policymakers attend academic events, research findings are more likely to influence national sports programmes, funding models, and athlete support systems.
International participation will include the President of the International Olympic Academy in Greece. The Academy plays a central role in spreading Olympic education and values worldwide. Guests will also include executive members from the Perth World Police and Fire Games Organising Committee and representatives from National Olympic Committees of France, Russia, and Brazil. Such attendance shows that India is being taken seriously as a space for global sports dialogue.
Overall, the conference highlights India’s growing role in global sports research and policy discussions. Hosting experts from across the world helps place Indian institutions at the centre of important conversations about fairness, education, and the future of sport. For young researchers and students, events like this also provide rare exposure to global thinking without leaving the country.
By bringing together education, science, policy, and ethics under one roof, the International Olympic Research Conference at BCORE continues to strengthen the idea that sport is not just about medals, but about values, learning, and shared responsibility.
