What is sport in the modern world? Why do thousands of people participate in marathons, and millions tune in to watch sports broadcasts? Perhaps sport is the essence of society, reflecting its values, aspirations, and future perspectives? The 7th Sport Forum will seek answers to these and other questions. On October 23rd, Lithuanian Sports University (LSU) and its partners invite you to Kaunas for an annual sport science event which will unite European scientists and practitioners. We’re hoping that this gathering will spark ideas that can change not only the attitude toward sport but also its meaning.
“I am once again delighted to invite the community of sport to attend the Sport Forum, where this year, together with international experts from France, Israel, and Croatia, we will examine the importance of fair play, social capital, and the influence of genetics in competitive sports. Each keynote speech will provide new ideas for both sport scientists and practitioners; thus, I invite you not to miss this opportunity to network and contribute to the future of sport,” – underlines Prof. Dr. Diana Rėklaitienė, Rector of the Lithuanian Sports University.
French scientist Corentin Segalen will present the antimanipulation strategies implemented at the Olympic Games of Paris 2024. He will detail the challenges of ensuring fair play and the importance of international collaboration. Corentin will shed light on how different countries can coordinate regulations, technology use, and intelligence sharing to ensure that sport remains fair and transparent. Finally, he will share practical recommendations for coaches and sport institutions on how to effectively combat manipulation in sport.
Croatian scientist Dr. Dario Novak will share his knowledge about the importance of social networks, social support, and social capital in promoting physical activity and healthier lifestyle. He will discuss how modern means of communication can inspire young people to actively participate in sports, strengthen social networks, and foster social responsibility.
Dr. Alon Eliakim, a paediatrician and sport medicine expert from Israel, will talk about the role of genetics in competitive sports. His speech will cover the potential applications of genetic evaluation in athlete selection and training individualisation, and the possible impact of such evaluation on long-term athlete health. This will provide participants with valuable insights on how the latest scientific innovations can be integrated into everyday sport practice.
The discussions at the Sport Forum will be moderated by three experts in the respective fields. The first discussion will be led by Kornelija Tiesnesytė, a representative of the Lithuanian Anti-Doping Agency, who actively contributes to supporting a transparent and fair sport culture. The second discussion on the impact of physical activity on social networks will be moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Brigita Miežienė, a researcher at the Lithuanian Sports University who specialises in physical activity and health-related behaviours.
The Sport Forum is a platform where academics, researchers, coaches, athletes, and policymakers convene every year. In this event, the future perspectives of sport are discussed, cooperation between different fields is encouraged, and the interplay between scientific knowledge and practical implementations is strengthened.
The event is organised by the Lithuanian Sports University (LSU) and National Sports Agency (NSA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Science and Sports, the Lithuanian National Olympic Committee (LNOC), the Lithuanian Public Broadcaster LRT, and “Hummel”.
More information about the 7th Sport Forum and the registration: https://www.lsu.lt/en/sport-forum-2025/
