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An iconic name in the world of sport and education, who has invested more than 20 years into making the prestigious FIFA Master in Management, Law and Humanities of Sport course a global success story, has been awarded the highest academic accolade by ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ Leicester (²ÝÁñÊÓƵ).

International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board Member Denis Oswald has been made a Companion of ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ and received his honour during the summer degree ceremonies which have been taking place at Curve theatre for the last 10 days.

The award has been made in recognition of his achievements in the field of sporting governance and sports education.

Denis is Director of the International Centre for Sports Studies  (CIES) in his home city of Neuchâtel, Switzerland. Together with ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ’s International Centre for Sports History and Culture, SDA Bocconi School of Management in Italy and the University of Neuchâtel, the CIES organises the prestigious FIFA Master postgraduate course.

Denis has worked closely with ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ in helping to develop and manage the course which has been ranked the top postgraduate sports management course in Europe  a record 11 times in the influential SportBusiness global rankings.

The Companionship honour follows on from Denis being awarded an honorary doctorate in 2011.

The citation read out to Denis during the degree ceremony said: “Denis brings many personal qualities to the FIFA MA and the wider partnership between CIES and ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ: loyalty, a collegiate spirit, an interest in what is happening in the different modules, a real interest in the academic and professional progress of the students and a genuine interest in how the three disciplines that make up the FIFA MA work together.

“It’s also invaluable to have someone with his level of sporting achievement as a competitor and then a leader as part of the academic team.

“He wins the respect of all students who come on the course through his sheer range of experiences and insights from being a three-time Olympian, a leading Olympic executive, an arbitrator and a federation leader.”

Dr Heather Dichter, Companion Denis Oswald, VC Prof Katie Normington and James Panter

Upon receiving his award Denis said: “It is a very special day for me.

“I have been investing myself in this programme with ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ, the SDA Bocconi School of Management in Milan and the University of Neuchâtel for 25 years and we have been recognised as the best programme in this field 11 times now. It is important to see your efforts are recognised in this way.

“You do not forget the values of sport in employment or in education. In your studies and in sport it is the same principal. If you are determined and really fight hard you will be successful. That effort will be recognised and you will achieve your goals.”

Sport is in the blood of Denis. He competed as an international rower at the 1968, 1972 and 1976 Olympic games – winning bronze in the coxed fours in 1968. He was crowned Swiss champion 13 times and won the double sculls at the Henley Royal Regatta.

In parallel with his career, he studied law at Neuchâtel, Zurich and Cambridge universities. His work in sport and law has seen him serve on a huge number of commissions and federations.

They include serving as President of the International Rowing Federation, becoming a member of the International Olympic Committee and, through this, serving on the executive board, chair and coordination commission for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. He also served as Chair of the Coordination Commission of the Olympic Games held in London in 2012.

Denis receives his Companionship on stage at Curve

Dr Heather Dichter, Co-Scientific Director of the FIFA Master at ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ, said: "Denis has played such an important role in the FIFA Master and worked closely with ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ's International Centre for Sports History and Culture in the running of this course. 

“We felt it was important to honour Denis with this prestigious Companionship of the University for his many years not only on the course but in sport as a whole.  It has been an honour to work with Denis in the running of the FIFA Master, and it is  great that ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ has recognised Denis and his lifetime dedicated to sport at all levels – as an athlete, an administrator, and an educator."

James Panter who is the FIFA Master Humanities of Sport Module Coordinator at ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ, said: "Denis' incredible career CV is everything the FIFA Master represents - the international combination of sport and education.

“He is an amazing role model for students on the course and for our alumni working around the world.

“The ceremony was a very special occasion and the perfect way to mark what will be the start of the 25th anniversary year for the course later this month".