On behalf of the Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences at Liverpool John Moores University, I have great pleasure in inviting you to attend the 16th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport in Liverpool. The Congress will be held between 6th-9th July 2011, in a state of the art convention centre, on the banks of the world-famous River Mersey.

In developing the scientific programme, we have amassed an enviable collection of leading researchers and scholars from across Europe and around the Globe, to address our congress theme of "New Horizons in Sports Sciences". Plenary and invited symposium sessions will provide a mix of styles and will focus on emerging new challenges within the broad range of disciplines that constitutes Sport Sciences. The programme will examine the exercise response from both empirical and applied viewpoints and from molecular to community contexts.

As ever for an ECSS congress, particular emphasis will be placed on the important information exchange that takes place in both oral and poster presentation formats and in addition, the popular Young Investigator Awards will receive their usual high profile. We are convinced that there will be much in the programme for everyone, and we are really excited about its content.

We are also very excited and proud to welcome you to our City of Liverpool. Liverpool recently celebrated its 800th birthday in style by becoming the European Capital of Culture in 2008. Over the years Liverpool has seen many transformations. In 2011, it represents a modern, vibrant, dynamic and multicultural city. It is rich with culture, boasting many of the UK’s top museums and art galleries, as well as a long and successful music and sporting heritage. Many of the new hotels, restaurants and bars are housed in historic buildings of grand architecture. Indeed, the Convention Centre is located directly adjacent to the Albert Dock that is home to a diverse range of eateries, pubs and other social networking opportunities. Liverpool has built an unrivalled reputation for the quality of its after-work relaxation options that is further enhanced by the recent opening of Liverpool One, a brand new multibillion pound shopping and entertainment complex, 5 minutes walk from the convention centre.

So – we look forward to seeing you in Liverpool in 2011, for what we are sure will be a fantastic scientific and social exchange.

Tim Cable
President, 16th Annual ECSS Congress