The three-day educational programme «Experiencing the Olympic Values», which took place from June 30 to July 2, at the historic premises of the International Olympic Academy (IOA) in Ancient Olympia, was a great success, with the participation of children from Serbia, Bulgaria, Moldova and Russia.
The programme was co-organised by the Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOC), the International Olympic Academy (IOA) and the National Olympic Academy (NTHNOA), in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports and the General Secretariat for Hellenes Abroad and Public Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During the programme, the students participated in track and field events and sports activities, while they had the opportunity to meet the Olympic rowing champion Yannis Tsilis, who shared with them his athletic career and coordinated an experiential rowing race. At the same time, they were informed and discussed about the sports and the history of the Olympic Games, participated in theatrical events, performed Greek traditional dances and created artworks inspired by Greece and Olympism.
As part of the programme, a visit to the Archaeological Site and the Archaeological Museum of Olympia, as well as a tour of the Historical Archive of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, at the IOA premises, where the children came into contact with the rich history and symbols of Olympism.
The programme aimed at promoting the Olympic values of excellence, respect and friendship and was concluded with a short ceremony of awarding commemorative diplomas.
