The Anniversary 32nd International Congress of Physical Education and Sport came to a close with great prestige and success. It was held from May 31 to June 2, 2024, in Komotini, as part of the celebrations for the 40 years of the Department of Physical Education and Sport Science (DPESS) of Democritus University of Thrace. This year's congress hosted more than 900 delegates from Greece, Cyprus, the USA, Finland, Norway, Germany, England, Poland, Romania, Italy, Bulgaria and Egypt. Over its course, 250 scientific papers were presented, 9 round tables were held with distinguished speakers from Greece and abroad, and 9 hands-on seminars and parallel activities were organized by the Hellenic Academy of Physical Education, covering a wide range of Sport Science topics. The keynote speaker was Professor of Sport Management Jayden (Yongiae) Kim of Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, USA.

At the congress's brilliant official Opening Ceremony, the Men's & Women's National Water Polo Teams were honored, represented by water polo players from different generations of the sport's history in Greece: specifically, the president of the Hellenic Swimming Federation (KOE), Kyriakos Giannopoulos, the national team coaches Theodoros Vlachos and Alexia-Anna Kammenou, the distinguished athletes Konstantinos Loudis and Giorgos Afroudakis, and the athletes Paraskevi Vassou, Margarita Plevritou and Christina Diamantopoulou. Special tribute was paid to the Secretary General for Sport, Mr. Georgios Mavrotas, who as a water polo player competed in 5 Olympic Games, 4 World Championships, 8 European Championships and 5 World Cups, and who, as captain of the National Team from 1995 to 2000, holds the record for appearances in team sports in Greece, with 511 caps for the Men's National Water Polo Team.

The performance piece “Giving rhythm, color and movement to words” by the 3rd Junior High School of Komotini stole the show. It was dedicated to the 40 years of the DPESS, and also to issues that concern young people today, such as school bullying and the various forms of violence.

The “Nikos Samaras Award” was presented to Dimosthenis Tampakos, an outstanding athlete and person who has become one of the brightest names in Artistic Gymnastics, earning the highest recognition internationally. His remarkable career includes gold and silver medals as an Olympic champion on the rings in Athens (2004) and Sydney (2000) respectively, ranking him among the greatest athletes in the history of the sport, in Greece and beyond.

This was followed by a nostalgic tribute to the 40 years since the founding of the DPESS – DUTh, presented by Professor Eleni Douda, Dean of the School of Physical Education, Sport Science & Occupational Therapy and Head of the Department of Physical Education & Sport Science of Democritus University of Thrace. Representative moments from the Department's forty-year academic journey were shown, highlighting its rich scientific, educational, research and social work from 1984 to the present day.

The tribute was accompanied by an impressive artistic performance titled “Let the dances go on”. Students of the Rhythmic Gymnastics specialization, together with members of the Rhodope Association for the Care of People with Disabilities “Agioi Theodoroi” (AXIZO), presented the piece and received a standing ovation from the audience.

The Congress concluded with the Closing Ceremony, the KomoRun road race and the graduation of students from five of the Department's Postgraduate Programs, in a festive atmosphere full of positive energy and smiles.

#enaevents, as the official organizer and on behalf of the Organizing Committee, would like to thank everyone who helped make the Congress happen: the student volunteers and the Teaching and Technical staff of the DPESS for their flawless cooperation, the speakers and guests of honor who graced this year's congress with their presence, the sponsors who supported this year's event, and all the delegates for taking part in the institution once again.

We look forward to seeing you at the 33rd International Congress of Physical Education & Sport.