The Olympic Academies of Greece and Germany set a strong example of how to successfully integrate and promote Olympic values within national education systems. Through their projects, they have strengthened their long-standing commitment in anticipation of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. This initiative serves as a blueprint for other National Olympic Academies to follow.
Project: “Olympia is calling: Join in!” (“Olympia ruft: Mach mit!”) – Paris 2024 Edition
Organisation: German Olympic Academy
The “Olympia is calling: Join in!” initiative by the German Olympic Academy promotes Olympic education through interdisciplinary teaching materials for primary and secondary schools. Published biennially, the Paris 2024 edition focuses on Olympic values, French culture, sustainability, and new Olympic sports like breaking, surfing, and parkour. The project uses a BYOD strategy, enabling students to engage with interactive digital content, such as video tutorials from athletes, making learning both innovative and accessible.
For Paris 2024, the DOA adopted a phased release of materials, maintaining high engagement with teachers and students through social media. The project’s collaborative nature involves educators, experts, and students, ensuring practical and effective classroom use. With over 50,000 downloads in the first year, it has successfully integrated Olympic values like respect and fair play into the curriculum.
The German Olympic Academy also runs workshops and events, extending its reach and impact across Germany. By fostering excitement for the Olympic Games and promoting lasting values, the project leaves a strong legacy in Olympic education.
Further Information:
– https://olympia-ruft.de/
– https://www.doa-info.de/publikationen/unterrichtsmaterialien/882-barrierefreie-unterrichtsmaterialien
Project: “The Olympic Week to the Road of Paris 2024”
Organisation: Hellenic Olympic Academy
The Hellenic Olympic Academy presents “Olympic Week in Schools”, an educational initiative designed to engage students aged 6-15 with Olympic values, history, and sports. The 2024 edition, titled “The Olympic Week to the Road of Paris 2024,” focused on the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games in France. This year’s program achieved record participation with over 234,000 students from 5,376 schools across Greece, Cyprus, and Greek schools abroad.
Students virtually explored historical landmarks such as Ancient Olympia and Olympic museums, interacted with Olympic and Paralympic athletes, and participated in quizzes, games, and creative projects. The program aimed to deepen students’ understanding of Olympism, foster sportsmanship, and promote the Olympic values of friendship, respect, and excellence.
The culmination of the program saw a selection of schools participating in a 3-day educational trip to Ancient Olympia, further enhancing their Olympic experience through workshops and sports activities. This initiative continues to inspire young students, leaving a lasting impact by promoting physical education, teamwork, and the spirit of the Olympic Games.
Further information:
– https://hoa.org.gr/
The EOA Flame Awards will be presented to the winners during the EOA Congress in Olympia on 27th September 2024.
