The 2008 International Convention on Science, Education and Medicine in Sport (ICSEMIS) www.icsemis2008.org, the successor of the Pre-Olympic Congresses and the Paralympic Congress, will be held in Guangzhou, China, from August 1 to 5, 2008, themed "Sport Sciences and Harmonious Society in the 21st Century".
Four International Sports Organizations (the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), the International Olympic Committee, the International Council for Sport Science and Physical Education and the International Federation of Sports Medicine) join forces to target an audience of 2,500 researchers and professionals from all around the world to discuss the advancement of science and practice of human movement.
At a news conference today at the Beijing Olympic Media Centre, officials from 2008 ICSEMIS were on hand to discuss this global conference and its importance in the Olympic and Paralympic Movement, including:
· Mr. Duan Shijie, Executive President of the Organizing Committee and Vice Minister of General Administration of Sport of China;
· Professor Dr. Gudrun Doll-Tepper, President of the International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education (ICSSPE), and
· Mr. Lin Musheng, Executive President of the Organizing Committee and Vice Governor of Guangdong Province
2008 ICSEMIS provides a unique opportunity for experts in all areas of sports science, sports medicine, and physical education to exchange the latest scientific research and best practice solutions.
The program will enable Chinese scholars and practitioners to share their knowledge with the international community, with the opportunity for long-term interaction and collaboration. China boasts almost one quarter of the world's population and is considered an emerging super power in technology, IT development and sports performance.
With eyes focused on the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, the science of elite performance at the Olympic and Paralympic Games will be a feature of the program, together with a range of topics which consider physical activity at all levels and ages and in community, school and clinical settings.
A special feature of this convention will be more than 30 symposia, which will be designed around contemporary issues involving representatives from various disciplines and organizations working within an interdisciplinary framework. For example, symposia involving experts in able-bodied sports and athletes with a disability will expand into new and important areas which extend beyond performance at the elite level.
Opportunities to discuss Western and traditional Chinese medicine practices in health promotion and rehabilitation and the cultural and psycho-social dimensions of sport and physical activity will also be featured.
The International Paralympic Committee is very supportive towards the Conventions’ emphasis on integrated scientific symposia and thematic sessions. A get together of scientists with the same interest, but targeting a different population (able-bodied athletes versus athletes with a disability) is of extreme interest to all partners. To this extend, the Convention is very important to the further development of sports sciences in the Paralympic Movement.
Mr. Duan Shijie said that, “this Convention will be the prelude to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Hosting a successful Convention will contribute to success of the Beijing Olympic Games. The Chinese Government attaches importance to the Convention and is trying its best to make this Convention the biggest in scale, the better in quality, the wider in participation and the more characterized. The Organizing Committee is confident of a very successful Convention, which will be a milestone in the history of such events.”
Ms. Gudrun Doll-Tepper said that, “this is a Convention of high international influence in the fields of science and sports.” She ensured that the 2008 ICSEMIS Organizing Committee will spare no efforts in making this a landmark event.
Mr. Lin Musheng outlined the preparations of the Convention, stating that:
· 12 outstanding scientists will be invited to present the keynote lectures
· Chinese scientists will take the opportunity to present as the keynote speaker of the Convention for the first time in history
· 10 topical categories with 45 thematic areas are raised in areas of sports and exercise science, and sports-related science and
· More than 30 symposia will be funded by the 2008 ICSEMIS Organizing Committee so as to better satisfy various needs of different disciplinary, groups of people and regions. 
A sport trade exhibition will also be held during the Convention.
In addition, the 2008 ICSEMIS Organizing Committee will establish a Scholarship Program providing three kinds of scholarship--full scholarship, accommodation scholarship and complimentary registration scholarship for more than 65 representatives, to encourage those from developing countries, young investigators, and scholars and professionals specialized in children and women physical activity researches, as well as sport and movement of people with a disability to attend 2008 ICSEMIS.
Mr. Lin said that, “the Organizing Committee of 2008 ICSEMIS will strictly follow the Host Convention Agreement and try our best to make greater efforts to host the Convention successfully under the leadership of the General Administration of Sport of China. Cooperating with the four partners and Beijing Olympic Committee, the Organizing Committee will make scientific and elaborate preparations for the Convention, reaching the first class in organizing, delivery, facility and services, making the 2008 ICSEMIS represent the highest international academic level as well as characteristics of Olympics