With a view to training and raising awareness of youth on issues related to Olympism, the National Olympic Academy (NOCA) in cooperation with the Physical Education Directorate of the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs designed the educational programme «Olympic Education - Olympic Week in Schools» which will be implemented for the first time in the school year 2020-21, from 31 May to 4 June. The programme covers two age groups of students aged 6-12 years and 13-15 years (primary and secondary school) and its main axes of information and awareness-raising will be the Ancient Olympic Games, the Modern Olympic Games, Greece 2004 - Athens 2004 and the Olympic Ideals.
It includes a set of actions that highlight the educational value of the Olympic Games. The actions concern the acquisition of knowledge, sporting and social skills and awareness of values such as friendship, respect for diversity, volunteering, solidarity and social responsibility. Also very important for the programme's actors is the children's understanding of issues related to human rights, the principles of democracy, high ideals and peace. Finally, this programme contributes to the acquisition of experience and knowledge about the beneficial effects of exercise and sport on health.
The inclusion of the institution of the Olympic Games in the Greek educational programme is an idea that has long been strongly considered by the Hellenic Olympic Committee as it is important that our children know the concept of Olympism and the role of Greece in this global institution, as the cradle of the Olympic Games.
Due to the pandemic, this year, the programme will be carried out online by the educational programme managers of ETHNOA in collaboration with the teachers of the school units. Nevertheless, the activities will be numerous and interesting as they will include, among other things, live links with the Stadium in Ancient Olympia, interventions and speeches by Olympic champions and high performance athletes as well as great personalities of sport.
HOC President and IOC member Spyros Capralos said: «We are particularly happy at the Hellenic Olympic Committee because Olympic Education will be introduced in schools , a few months before the Tokyo Olympic Games. Students will have the opportunity to learn about the Olympic Games and to understand the importance of applying the Olympic values, even in everyday life. I would like to thank again the leadership of the Minister of Education for the decision to introduce Olympic Education in schools, but more generally for the excellent cooperation we have’.
The President of ETHNOA, George Alikakos said:
«Olympic Education is the educational process that aims to educate young people according to the Olympic values, taking into account the elements of modern culture. Sport is a philosophy of life and through it young people can change their attitude, mentality and philosophy. Because only through education can we manage to build a better world based on ideals and values and through sport we can become better people.
We want the «Olympic Week in Schools» to be a celebration of Olympism and values, which will sensitize students to embrace the Olympic ideals and integrate them into their daily lives.
I would like to thank the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs for embracing and supporting the programme and I wish all the students who will participate in the «Olympic Week» to love sport and be inspired by the values it represents.
The NOC is committed to undertake all the necessary actions so that all the children of Greece become partakers of the history and the greatness of the Olympic Games.
The aim of the programme is for all children to understand the reason why Greece is the first country to enter the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, why the Greek National Anthem is always played at the opening and closing ceremonies, why the Greek flag flies throughout the Games and to learn that the Olympic Anthem is a Greek creation».
Mural created on the occasion of the «Olympic Week in Schools» on the facade of the 26th Primary School of Ilion with the funding of the EOE and depicts the Ancient and Modern Pentathlon in one image.
