Sofia Papadopoulou

Sofia Papadopoulou OLY is a distinguished Bronze Olympic Medalist in Sailing, competing in the Yngling class at the Beijing 2008 Olympics. Holding a Bachelor's degree in Sciences and Sports, as well as a Master's degree in "Olympic Studies, Olympic Education, Organisation, and Management of Olympic Events," she is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Sports Management. Devoted to the core Olympic values of excellence, respect, and friendship, Sofia exemplifies these principles in her advocacy for sports, a healthy lifestyle, culture, and education. Her extensive collaboration with various sports and governmental organizations, including the International Olympic Academy, Hellenic Sailing Federation, Hellenic Olympic Academy, the Ministry of Education, the International Olympic Truce Center, the University of Tsukuba (Japan), Safe Water Sports, Youngstars Cyprus, and Olympism4Humanity, showcases her commitment to promoting these values on a global scale. Sofia's expertise spans high-level coaching in International, Olympic classes, and Offshore Sailing. Notably, she serves as a Member of World Sailing in the Sub-Committees for Regional Games & Youth Events (2021-2025). She holds the prestigious distinction of being the first International woman sailor selected and participating in the Sport High-Performance Coaching Pathway - WISH Program, supported by the IOC Olympic Solidarity Entourage, WS, and HOC. A beacon of strength in team-building and cultivating empowering relationships, Sofia excels in coaching for high-performance. As a speaker, she draws upon a wealth of strategies from the world of sports to inspire corporate leadership and success. Sofia continues to leave an indelible mark, not only as an accomplished athlete but also as a dedicated advocate for the values that the Olympic movement represents.