Olympic values education programme

Benefits of sport and other physical activities include:

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  improved educational performance;
  
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  health promotion and disease prevention;
  
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  promotion of gender equality;
  
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  social inclusion and the development of social capital;
  
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  peace building and conflict prevention/resolution;
  
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  post-disaster/trauma relief and normalisation of life;
  
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  economic development;
  
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  communication and social mobilisation;
  
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  development of life skills;
  
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  building self-esteem and self-efficacy.
  

“I took for granted the Olympic symbols, values, ceremonies etc. Yet, here, I discovered through enjoyable exploration that these things hold great underpinnings that speak to the ‘human spirit’. It literally has the potential to address holistic development of individuals towards positive social change on a global level.”
Teacher/coach, Trinidad & Tobago

A hockey team at the opening of Zambia’s first Olympic Youth Development Centre in 2010. The centre was built as part of the IOC Sport for Hope Programme

Olympic Values Education and your community


London 2012: the Cultural Olympiad formed a central part of the Games, enabling young people across the country to engage in a host of creative and physical activities

In the community¹
By participating in sport, young people learn the invaluable life lessons of teamwork, determination and respect for rules. You can use the activities in the Manual to support sport programmes in your community.