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Ambassadors

The Organizing Committee of the Torino 2025 World University Games Winter is proud to introduce the first Ambassadors of Torino 2025.

Raffaele Zich

Raffaele Zich was born in Vietnam on June 23, 2006. The last time the Winter Universiade was held in Torino, he was just 6 months old, but now he dreams of participating as a main player in the event on his home ice. He trains with the Ice Club Torino, coached by Edoardo De Bernardis (who also choreographs his routines) and Renata Lazzaroni.

Raffaele won the National Junior Elite title in 2021, and in March 2022, he took the silver medal at the EYOF (European Youth Olympic Festival) held in Vuokatti, Finland. In October, he added a bronze medal to his achievements at the Junior Grand Prix event in Gdansk, Poland.

Counting down the days until Torino 2025, Raffaele says, “I am honored to be part of this project and to serve as an ambassador for the Torino 2025 FISU Games. Torino is my city, where I’ve grown as both an athlete and a student. My parents and my grandfather, who are university professors, have taught me the value of education, but they have also instilled in me a passion for and dedication to sports.”

Irma Caldara e Riccardo Maglio

Irma Caldara and Riccardo Maglio make up a young figure skating duo coached by Cristiana Di Natale. This year, they competed in two Grand Prix events: the John Wilson Trophy in Sheffield and the NHK Trophy in Sapporo, finishing fifth and fourth, respectively. Irma and Riccardo improved all their personal bests, reaching a total score of 164.23 points.

The pair came together in the spring of 2021 through the vision of Tiziana Pagani. Not only partners on the ice but also in life, Riccardo says, “It’s almost easier to work together on the ice than off, even though we sometimes have different perspectives.” Irma adds, “We argue more on the ice than off it!” They have been training at the Palavela for a few months, hoping that the same ice hosting the Torino 2025 FISU Games will bring them luck in their quest to qualify for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympics.

Francesco Vigliani

Born in Pinerolo in 2005, Francesco Vigliani discovered curling almost by chance through school in 2016. Recently, he wore the Italian colors at the World Junior Championship in Lohja, Finland, where he earned a historic silver medal alongside the national team, under the guidance of coach Marco Mariani. Over the past two seasons, he has participated in multiple junior and senior events on the World Curling Tour (WCT), with strong finishes, including first and second place at the Copenhagen Junior Open and a fourth-place finish at the EJCT in Prague. Domestically, he has claimed titles in Series C and B, a fifth place in the top division, and a third-place finish in the mixed doubles championship, as well as a silver in the junior league and a gold in the boys’ championship.

“Representing Italy on the world stage is always a pleasure, and doing so as an ambassador for such an important event in our region, the Torino 2025 Universiade, is truly an honor.”

Lucrezia Grande

Born in Pinerolo, Lucrezia Grande is currently enrolled in the Faculty of Economics, in her first year of Business Economics studies. She has always balanced her education with competitive sports, first as a cross-country skier from the age of 5, and since April 2018, as a curler. She has quickly achieved impressive results, securing a spot on the junior national team in 2022. She has represented Italy in both team and mixed doubles events at numerous national and international tournaments, including the World Curling Tour (WCT) and the World Junior Championships.

Notable Achievements in Curling:

  • Gold Medal – Women’s League Championship 2023-2024
  • Silver Medal – European Junior Curling Tour, Prague (Czech Republic) 2023
  • Gold Medal – International Junior Club Curling Bonspiel, Ayr (Scotland) 2023
  • Gold Medal – National Junior Women’s Championship 2022-2023
  • Gold Medal – National Junior Women’s Championship 2021-2022
  • Silver Medal – National Mixed Doubles Championship 2020-2021
  • Bronze Medal – National Women’s Championship 2021-2022

Lucrezia manages to balance her university studies, attending classes in the mornings, with her training at the Pinerolo and Torino Curling Rinks as part of the Sporting Pinerolo team, coached by Marco Mariani, former coach of the Chinese national team and an Olympic athlete at the Torino 2006 Olympics. Her dream is to represent Italy at the Torino 2025 Universiade at Torino’s Palatazzoli rink.

Want to Join Our Ambassador Team?
Become a Digital Ambassador !

Welcome to the Torino 2025 World University Games Winter Digital Ambassador Community. As a member of this community, you will have the unique opportunity to experience and promote the Games firsthand.

As a Digital Ambassador, you’ll be able to:

  • Attend special events for those under 40
  • Follow the competitions with a dedicated programme
  • Enjoy exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the Games
  • Take the spotlight on the official Torino 2025 social profiles
  • Share events, news, and updates for Torino 2025 through your channels and networks

And that’s not all… we have plenty of surprises in store for our Digital Ambassadors! So what are you waiting for? Register now and join the programme.

If you haven’t already, remember to follow the official channels to stay connected to the community.

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P.iva 12561310017
Giuseppe Massazza
Full Professor of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine
Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Turin and Director Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. "Città della Salute e della Scienza" University Hospital, Torino, Italy

University of Turin

  • Director of the Department of Orthopaedics,Traumatology and Rehabilitation
  • Director of the Division of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine
  • Full Professor in Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine

Games Experience:

  • Observer Program 2001 Salt Lake City
  • IOC Medical Commission 2002 Salt Lake City
  • Observer Program 2003 Athens
  • IOC Medical Commission 2004 Athens
  • Observer Program 2005 Pan American Games
  • Chief Medical Officer Torino 2006
  • Chief Medical Officer Milano Cortina 2026
  • Games Group Paris 2024

University Hospital

A.O.U. Città della salute e della Scienza di Torino

Monica Lazzarotti
Doctor specialist in Sports Medicine

Member of:

  • Italian Federation of Sports Medicine (Federazione Medico Sportiva Italiana FMSI)
  • International Motorcycling Federation (FIM)
  • Italian Motorcycling Federation (Federazione Motociclistica Italiana FMI)
  • She is currently A member of the Medical Commission of the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM) based in Geneva.
  • She is currently in charge as FIM WorldSBK Medical Director.
  • She is currently in charge as Federal Doctor and Coordinator of the Medical Commission of the Italian Motorcycling Federation (Federazione Motociclistica Italiana FMI).
  • She is currently a member of the National Board of the Italian Federation of Sports Medicine (Federazione Medico Sportiva Italiana, FMSI).
  • She participated as FIM Medical Representative at the MotoGP World Championship from 2011 till 2013.
  • From 2007 to 2010 she was a member of the FIM Commission for Women in Motorcycling (CFM).
  • She was in charge as Medical Director of the Italian Championship (CIV, circuit racing) for 2012 and 2013 seasons.
Mike Carmont
Department of Trauma & Orthopaedic Surgery
Shrewsbury & Telford Hospital NHS Trust, Shropshire, UK

Mike Carmont specialses in foot & ankle surgery and sports trauma to the ankle, particularly Achilles tendon rupture.

After undergraduate training at the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Specialist Registrar training on the Oswestry/Stoke rotation, he completed Fellowships Training in Foot & Ankle Surgery at the Northern General Hospital Sheffield and Sports Knee surgery with Tim Spalding. He started as a Consultant at Shrewsbury & Telford Hospital NHS Trust in 2009.

He has since completed a PhD in Achilles tendon ruptures at the University of Gothenburg and Achilles tendon and other sports injuries are his main area of interest.

He is a past President of the British Orthopaedic Sports Trauma and Arthroscopy Association and has been awarded 3 international traveling Fellowships bringing techniques from all over the world into his practice.

He currently provides individualized patient care based on the scientific literature and outcomes from patients he has managed.

In Sport and Exercise Medicine he is a team doctor for a Premiership Rugby Union Club and has been Chief Medical Officer for the Great Britain team at the Winter University Games since 2019.

João Espregueira-Mendes
Chairman and Clinical Director of Clínica Espregueira, FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence, FC Porto Stadium Full Professor of Orthopaedics and Trauma in Minho University, Portugal
  • Clinical Director of Clínicas Espregueira – FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence (the only FIFA centre of excellence in Portugal and the 1st in the Iberian Peninsula)
  • Full Professor of Orthopaedics and Trauma in Minho University, Portugal
  • President elected of the International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery and Sports Traumatology (ISAKOS) 2025-2027
  • President of the European Society for Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery and Arthroscopy (ESSKA) (2012-2014).
  • Founder and President of ESSKA Foundation (2013-2015).
  • Member of the FC Porto Advisory Board
  • Member of the Patellofemoral Foundation Board of Directors
  • Member of the Board of FIFA MCE
  • Collaborating researcher at 3B’s/ICVS – University of Minho
  • President of Dom Henrique Research Centre
  • President of the Portuguese Society of Arthroscopy and Sports Traumatology (SPAT) (2004- 2008)
  • More than 700 international conferences
  • More than 200 international publications, 20 Nature/Springer books and 84 chapters
  • Honorary Member of the Bulgarian Association of Orthopedics and Traumatology (BOTA) (since 2013)
  • Honorary Member of the Portuguese Society of Arthroscopy and Sports Traumatology (SPAT) (since 2012)
  • Honorary Member of the Sociedad Española de la Rodilla (SEROD) (since 2017)
  • Lifetime Member of the European Society of Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery and Arthroscopy (ESSKA) (since 2020)
Lars Engebretsen
MD PhD Professor Em Orthopedic Clinic, University of Oslo
Co-Chair, Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center

Professor Engebretsen is currently the Professor Emeritus of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Oslo University Clinic and Head of Medical Sciences in the International Olympic Committee. Professor Engebretsen has published over 500 articles and book chapters, with a citation index (H-index) of 118. He is among the world’s most productive in clinical, epidemiological and basic science research in the areas of general sports medicine, knee ligaments, cartilage and prevention of sports injuries and illnesses. He has received research grants and awards from many agencies and associations, including the National Institutes of Health, the Norwegian Council for Research in Science and Humanities, the Norwegian Ministry of Health, the American Orthopedic Society of Sports Medicine (AOSSM) and the International Olympic Committee. He and his group have won several research awards around the world, and he was inducted into the AOSSM Hall of Fame in July 2015 and became an ESSKA Honorary member in 2016 and ISAKOS Honorary member in 2017 and EFFORT Honorary member in 2022. He received the Nordic Prize in Medicine in 2016. 

Cibo, consumo e percezione

Il mondo contemporaneo è caratterizzato da una pletora di stimoli al consumo e da una diversità e ricchezza di alimenti senza precedenti.   

Tuttavia, di fronte a un numero inedito di etichette informative, i consumatori spesso preferiscono utilizzare scorciatoie euristiche. Sebbene il cibo sia la base della nutrizione, il contesto del consumo e l’ambiente in cui viene fruito giocano un ruolo fondamentale nella sua apprezzabilità. Le tendenze alimentari, con la loro periodica e ciclica condanna di specifici alimenti o nutrienti, seguita dalla loro inevitabile riabilitazione, generano un’incertezza e una mancanza di orientamento pervasiva. La neofobia alimentare dei minori, unita a un’educazione alimentare inadeguata e alla monotonia dei pasti domestici, comporta problemi significativi di soddisfazione e una riduzione degli sprechi nelle mense scolastiche. Questi fattori sono esaminati in profondità per sottolineare l’importanza cruciale dell’educazione alimentare, necessaria per prevenire complicazioni di salute a lungo termine, in particolare tra i consumatori più giovani. 

  • Etichette ed euristiche: un paradosso moderno (Prof. Michele A. Fino)
  • Percezione del cibo e fattori ambientali (Dott. Riccardo Migliavada)
  • Monsters & Co.: le tendenze alimentari come minaccia alla salute nutrizionale (Dott. Andrea Devecchi)
  • Abitudini familiari e gradimento del cibo da parte dei bambini: i risultati della ricerca Nourishing School (Prof.ssa M.G. Onorati)
University, Sport, Health, Environment. How to Live in an Interconnected and Sustainable Way

Sustainability is a global priority, and each of us can do our part to create a greener and healthier future. Let’s explore how we can integrate sustainability into some key aspects of our lives:

  • University students, Professors and Researchers are agents of change. We can reduce the ecological footprint of universities by promoting sustainable courses of study, by approaching research and development through a circular and transdisciplinary approach, and by participating in initiatives that raise the university community’s awareness of sustainability issues.
  • Sport can be a powerful tool to promote sustainability. We can choose sports activities with a low environmental impact but can also support through disciplines and practices that prevent the risk of accidents and the occurrence of diseases.
  • One Planet, one Health is one of UPO integrated approaches that recognises the close relationship between humans, plants and animals, and the need to implement coordinated actions across different sectors to protect our health and that of ecosystems. We are fond of our Aging Projects and of NODES Spoke 5 (Health Industry and Silver Economy, the North-West Digital and Sustainable Ecosystem), which is led by UPO and financed by NextGenerationEU.

 

Together we can make a difference!

  • LUCA RAGAZZONI, MD, professor of Global Health and Disaster Medicine, coordinator of CRIMEDIM and Rector’s delegate for International relations 
  • MARCO INVERNIZZI, MD, professor of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Project Manager of NODES Spoke 5 (Health Industry and Silver Economy) 
  • CARMEN AINA, economist, professor of Economic Policies and Strategies for Sustainability, president of the Regional delegation of the Italian University Network for Sustainable Development (RUS) 
  • STEFANIA CERUTTI, geographer, professor of Territorial Environmental Policies, president of UPOnTOURISM, Centre for Vision, Strategy, Research for Innovative and Sustainable Tourism. 
  • ANNALISA D’ORSI, anthropologist, research fellow and lecturer of Eating disorders from a clinical and sociological point of view. 
Brain and exercise

Evidences are available that physical exercise can both structurally and functionally modify brain neural networks. Interestingly, any type of exercise (cardiovascular, strength, or mixed) can induce such changes. This set of presentations aims to present, at three different levels, the research activities at University of Turin within this framework. A number of examples on the how and to which extent exercising modifies our cognitive functioning will be provided. At a second level, we will focus on neuromuscular performance which relies on the nervous system’s ability to coordinate and control muscle actions effectively. This involves both strength capacity (the maximum force that can be exerted) and motor control (the precision and timing of muscle activation). At the final level we will move to the self-perceived well-being status describing monitoring training in several sport disciplines (even considering different types, aims of training session, athletes’ competition level, and comparison between athletes and coaches) to regularly monitor athlete’s perceptions for preventing overtraining syndrome and better planning training. 

  • Physical Exercise as a factor in Neuroplasticity (prof. Alberto Rainoldi, Dpt. Medical Sciences)
  • Exercise, brain, and cognition (prof. Lorenzo Pia, Dpt. Psychology)
  • The neuromuscular determinants of performance: when the neural drive is more important than muscles (prof. Gennaro Boccia, Dpt. Clinical and Biological Sciences)
  • Perception of internal training load and well-being (prof. Corrado Lupo, Dpt. Medical Sciences)
Game Changers: Innovation in Sports from Politecnico di Torino Student Teams
A session dedicated to exploring innovation in sports, where student teams from Politecnico di Torino will present their project activities across various sports disciplines and scientific sectors. Each team will outline key themes, objectives, and achieved results, with a focus on the innovative aspects of their initiatives. This session offers a practical insight into how advancements in technological research and applied studies are transforming sports through cutting-edge ideas.
Francesco Della Villa
Scientific Director of Isokinetic Medical Group
Dr. Della Villa is a Sports Medicine physician who graduated from the university of Bologna, Italy. He is currently the Director of the Education and Research Department at the Isokinetic Medical Group, which is a FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence. He oversees research and development as well as education and updating of the whole clinical group. He is a member of various international societies, including ESSKA, ISAKOS and ICRS and serves as a member of the FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence advisory group. His main clinical interests are Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries and other severe lower extremity injuries, from injury mechanism and prevention to return-to-play protocols.
Elizabeth Kon
IRCCS Humanitas Research Center, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy

Full Professor of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, Humanitas University, Milan (Italy) Chief of Translational Orthopedics Unit, Center for functional and biological reconstruction of the Knee, Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan (Italy)  

Director of Residency program in Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, Humanitas University, Milan  

Director of Bone and Joint course, Medical School, Humanitas University, Milan  

Director of Musculoskeletal pathology course, Physiotherapy School, Humanitas University, Milan  

Director of master’s degree “Regenerative Medicine in Orthopedics” Humanitas University, Milan  

Past President of International Cartilage Repair and Joint Preservation Society (ICRS)  

President of Società Italiana di Artroscopia, Ginocchio, Arto Superiore, Sport, Cartilagine e Tecnologie Ortopediche (SIAGASCOT) 

Robert Prill
Center of Orthopedics and Traumatology, University Hospital Brandenburg/Havel, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, Germany

Robert is a physiotherapist from Germany. He finished his master’s degree in physiotherapy in sports at German Sports University Cologne and PhD at Brandenburg University of Technology. Both theses were related to knee injuries and long-term deficits after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

He is currently the Head of Research at Center of Orthopedics and Traumatology at the Brandenburg University Hospital and Chair of the ESSKA Rehabilitation Committee. He also runs the outpatient clinic for physiotherapy P3 together with is wife. His main interest in research and clinical work is related to athletes with knee injuries.

Thomas Patt
Bergmanclinics Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Since his first steps in his career into orthopedics in the mountains of St. Moritz, Switzerland, Tom is fascinated by this small, but cruciate ligament, which has a size of just a bit more than 1 inch (about 2,5 – 3cm) – the acl. 
 
Tom Patt was trained in Switzerland and The Netherlands, with Dr AU Urfer (St Moritz, CH), Dr P Burkart (Luzern, CH), Professor W Mueller, Prof N. Friederich (Basel, CH), Prof. RK Marti (Amsterdam, NL) & dr. Marcel Driessen (Delft, NL). 
 
After heading a private clinic in Delft / The Netherlands for 9 years, he is now working as a consultant at bergmanclinics, Rotterdam / The Netherlands.  Tom’s professional interests are sports knee surgery, and he has specialized in mainly arthroscopic knee interventions. 
 
Since 2010, his other real orthopedic passion has been prevention of knee lesions in children and adolescents. In this context he is  president of ESMA/ESSKA (2024-26) and co- leads the workgroup for prevention, the GUARDIANS of the ACL (a subgroup of the ACL study group), as well as being member of other European organizations such as the German Knee Society, GOTS, AGA, etc. 
The ESMA/ESSKA risk reducing program “prevention for all” was developed by him in collaboration with Dr. Henrique Jones / Portugal. 
 
Tom is often invited to speak at national and international meetings, in 2024 i.e.: Litouwen, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Czech Republic, The Netherlands & France. 
An acl rupture is a life changing event, especially in the young ones & we should do everything to prevent this from happening at all. 

Gian Luigi Canata
Director of Centre of Sports Traumatology and Arthroscopic Surgery - Koelliker Hospital, Turin (Italy)

Dr. Gian Luigi Canata is Director of the Centre of Sports Traumatology and Arthroscopic Surgery at Koelliker Hospital in Turin since 1995. He has been a member of the Medical Commission of the Italian Track and Field Federation (FIDAL) from 1980 to 2016 and has served as Director of CUS Torino (University Sports Center) Medical Services for over 40 years, and as Board Member of the Institute of Sports Medicine of Turin since 1990. 

From 2001 to 2012, he was engaged as Professor of Sports Medicine at the Turin University, and from 1989 to 2001 as Professor of Kinesiology at the Superior Institute of Physical Education in Turin. 

In addition, Gian Luigi Canata has been Director of the Local Medical Commission for the 2007 Turin Winter Universiade. 

At an international level, he is an active member of several orthopedic societies, among which ESSKA since 1984, the ESSKA – ESMA section since its early foundation in 2016, within which he served as Chair from 2020 to 2022, and ISAKOS since 1995. He is currently ISAKOS Board Member at Large, past Chair of the Leg, Ankle and Foot Committee, and SIAGASCOT delegate for International Societies.  

Gian Luigi Canata has been an invited speaker at medical congresses and courses worldwide, releasing almost 300 lectures. He is actively involved in Orthopaedic Research and Education as an author of more than 100 scientific works (including peer-reviewed articles) and editor of several books including ”Muscle and Tendon Injuries: Evaluation and Management” (2017), “Sports Injuries of the Foot and Ankle” (2019), “Management of Track and Field Injuries” (2022),”Epidemiology of Injuries in Sports”(2022) and “The Running Athlete” (2022). Further, he is also Associate Editor of the ISAKOS Journal since 2021. 

Maria Carboni
Full Professor, Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Università di Bologna
Good fats, bad fats, just fats. Challenges and innovation related to the production of food for sport
Lipids are macronutrients, which, in addition to calorie intake, also provide essential molecules, including vitamins, hormone precursors and other bioactive molecules.
 
This makes the topic of ‘dietary fats’ particularly interesting, especially in relation to food formulation and shelf life, as well as the intake requirements for a correct and healthy diet, also also with regard to sports activity.
 
The aim of this presentation is to provide a clarification between physiological needs and dietary quality, without forgetting the technological aspects of food.

Maria Fiorenza Caboni has been a full professor in the field of Food Science and Technology at the University of Bologna since 2008; her research activity focuses on food quality and safety, with a special focus on lipids. She has been involved in and coordinated several scientific research projects. She is the author of more than 200 publications, most of which are in international scientific journals. 

Anna Bjerkefors
Associate Professor, RPT
"The Swedish Parasport Academy", a synergy project on physical activity, sports, research and education for people with impairment
This lecture will provide insights into the “Swedish Parasport Academy,” a collaborative project involving companies, sports movements, the rehabilitation sector, and national and international universities. The aim is to promote physical activity and sports participation for individuals with impairments to improve health, independence, and quality of life.
 
The project generates new knowledge and innovative solutions on the relationship between functional capacity, interface, and performance, as well as how to optimise equipment to maximise performance and minimise injuries. These advancements can be translated into benefits for individuals, various professional groups, and society, particularly in health, sports performance, and technology.

Anna Bjerkefors is an Associate Professor at the Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences (GIH) and affiliated with the Karolinska Institute. She has a profound interest in research areas such as adapted physical activity, motor control, neuroscience, applied sports science, trunk control, and parasport. Anna’s primary research focus is on understanding the impact of neuromusculoskeletal impairments on daily living activities, leisure time physical activity, and sports, and to optimize the interface with equipment (aids) to maximise performance and minimise injuries. Passionate about translating research into practice, Anna actively implements her findings in the rehabilitation sector and the field of parasport. Since 2022, she has co-led the Swedish Parasport Academy, a synergy project dedicated to creating an innovative environment for physical activity and sports. 

Daniel Svensson
Associate Professor of Sport Science, Malmö University
Risks and potentials of sport in relation to sustainable development
Sport is impacting the environment in many ways, and environmental problems and risks (climate change, extreme weather, pollution, etc.) poses risks for athletes and sport practitioners.
 
Are the ambitions of long-term sustainability and performance possible to unite? If so, what are the main challenges that the sporting world needs to address? The history of sports shows a track record of aiming to improve, and to deliver positive outcomes regarding issues such as gender equality, integration, public health. Can sport also play a part in making the world more environmentally sustainable?

Prof. Svensson conducts research on knowledge issues in sport. He has investigated the historical process of scientization of training methods in endurance sports, and meetings between scientific and experiential knowledge in sports such as football and cross-country skiing. Svensson has a broad interest in issues relating to knowledge, technology and performance in sport, and their implications for athletes and coaches. He has been a Guest Professor at the University of Turin and is also a Research Fellow at the Swedish Olympic Committee. His publications include many books and articles about change and risks in sport and outdoor recreation, including the anthology Sport, Performance and Sustainability (Svensson et al., Routledge, 2023). Svensson is also an engaged and experienced teacher and has worked with a number of courses at Malmö University, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Chalmers University of Technology, University of Gothenburg and the University of Turin. He has been awarded several prizes for his research and his non-academic writing. 

Yannis Pitsiladis
MMedSci., PhD, FACSM International Olympic Committee (IOC) Medical and Scientific Committee Department of Sport, Physical Education and Health, Hong Kong Baptist University
Wearable and telemedicine innovations for Olympic events and elite sport in the age of big data and AI
A growing number of companies are developing or using wearable sensor technologies that can monitor, analyse, and transmit data from humans in real time that can be used by the sporting, biomedical, and media industries. To explore this phenomenon, I will describe and review numerous high profile sporting events where innovations in wearable technologies were trialled: the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic Games (Tokyo 2020, Japan), 2022/23 adidas Road to Records (Germany) and Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics. These major sporting events represent the first time academic and industry partners have come together to implement real-time wearable solutions during major competition, to protect the health of athletes competing in hot and humid environments, as well as to better understand how these metrics can be used moving forwards.
Despite the undoubted benefits of such wearables, there are well-founded concerns regarding their use including:
1) limited evidence quantifying the potential beneficial effects of analysing specific parameters;
2) the quality of hardware and provided data;
3) information overload;
4) data security and
5) exaggerated marketing claims.
Employment and sporting rules and regulations also need to evolve to facilitate the use of wearable devices. There is also the potential to obtain real-time data that will oblige medical personnel to make crucial decisions around whether their athletes should continue competing or withdraw for health reasons. In order to protect athletes, the urgent need is to overcome these ethical/data protection concerns and develop wearable technologies that are backed by quality science.
The fields of sport and exercise science and medicine provides an excellent platform to understand the impact of wearable sensors on performance, wellness, health, and disease

Professor Yannis Pitsiladis has an established history of  research into the importance of lifestyle and genetics for human health and performance.

Current research priority is the application of “omics” (i.e. genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics and proteomics) to the detection of drugs in sport with particular reference to recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEpo), blood doping and testosterone.

His most recent research is funded by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), he is a member of the IOC Medical and Scientific Commission, a member of the Executive Committee and Chair of the Scientific Commission of the International Sports Medicine Federation (FIMS), a member of the Scientific and Education Commission of the European Federation of Sports Medicine Associations (EFSMA), a member of WADA’s Health Medical Research Committee (HMRC), past member a WADA’s List Expert Group and is a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).

He has published over 250 scientific papers, written and edited a number of books and has featured in numerous documentaries (e.g. “Kipchoge: The Last Milestone” is a 2021 documentary film directed by Jake Scott and executive produced by Ridley Scott; “Enhanced” – Documentary Film, 2018. Produced by award winning director Alex Gibney) and popular books (e.g. The Sports Gene: Inside the Science of Extraordinary Athletic Performance; Bounce: The Myth of Talent and the Power of Practice).