Erik Rohde joined Research Group for Olympic Studies in 2017
Photo: Bruno Todeschini
German researcher Erik Rohde, from Technische Universität Kaiserslautern was awarded the International Academic Award Pierre de Coubertin. The award recognizes outstanding researchers every two years and is organized by the Pierre de Coubertin International Committee. It is one of the most important recognitions in the area of Olympic Studies. The ceremony occurred earlier in March this year, during the General Assembly of the Pierre de Coubertin International Committee, in Lausanne, Switzerland. Rohde did a mobility program at PUCRS in 2017, to develop his graduate research on the Olympic Games of Rio de Janeiro.
In Germany, his work was advised by researchers Norbert Müller and Manfred Messing. During his three-month period at PUCRS, Rohde was advised by Professor Dr Nelson Schneider Todt, coordinator of the Research Group for Olympic Studies (GPEO/PUCRS) of the School of Health Sciences. The German student collected a large body of data during his stay at the GPEO/PUCRS. Some students in the group helped him in the collection and analysis of data. He discussed the journalistic treatment of the 2016 games in Rio. He studied major newspapers in three countries, including Folha de São Paulo, from Brazil.
Professor Todt and researcher Rohde
PUCRS renewed its agreement with the UT Kaiserslautern in 2015. In Dr Todt’s view, the partnership is intended to advance the mobility of faculty and researchers, implement joint research projects and promote the exchange of academic information and scientific publication. He claims that the German student winning international recognition represents the consolidation of the research projects developed at PUCRS in the area of Olympic Studies and the success of the efforts of internationalization that are in practice at the institution.
Rohde is very happy about his first scientific award. “There’s a lot more behind the mere recognition of my performance as a researcher: there’s something we can’t touch. Winning this recognition means that you, to a certain extent, took action or followed in the footsteps of Pierre Coubertin”, he adds.
