Louise Martin CBE will open an international sports conference at Abertay University in Dundee today.

Former competitive swimmer Martin, who famously led Scotland's successful Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games bid, was the first ever woman to hold a post on the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) Executive and also the first woman Chairman of the Scottish Commonwealth Games Council.

The three day conference has been organised by the British Philosophy of Sport Association in association with Abertay's School of Social and Health Sciences. Over sixty delegates from 16 different countries including Japan, Canada, Switzerland and the Czech Republic are attending the event.

Professor Steve Olivier, Depute Principal and Head of the School of Social and Health Sciences, said: "Abertay is committed to securing Scotland's place as a leader in the field of sports philosophy and to have such eminent sports philosophers from all around the world, gathered together in Dundee, is a real testament to the recognition of what we are doing and what we have achieved so far."

Abertay University offers several sports related degree programmes and has seen applications for its BSc (Hons) in Sport & Psychology and BSc (Hons) in sports and exercise rise 45% and 22% respectively this year. The University also runs an Elite Athlete Development Programme which aims to help national standard athletes combine their studies with their sporting commitments.

The annual conference which brings together academic experts to share knowledge, exchange ideas, and encourages the spread of sound principles and ideals in sport and physical activity. Presentations will include 'the significance of elite athletes as role models', 'Cultural and social influence on shape of philosophy of sport', 'Applying Olympic values - peace promotion through sport' and 'The acceptable face of sexism; examining sexism and sexist acts in professional football'.