Olympic Education – critical to our development

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The most recent Session of the International Olympic Academy, IOA, the 9th Session for Directors of National Olympic Academies, NOA, had as its main theme, "Olympism," with its sub theme being "Olympic Pedagogy." The session was yet another step on the road to promoting the Olympic ideals among the peoples of the world in the hope that we can somehow come to the realisation that life is meant to be lived to the full but that this is only possible when we develop the individual’s mind, body and spirit.
Olympism
One of the founding fathers of the modern Olympic movement, Pierre de Coubertin of France, coined the concept of Olympism. It was a term that captured the essence of the Olympic ideals that had their origins in antiquity, more particularly, in ancient Greece.

Olympic Pedagogy
Olympic pedagogy has been defined as “the science of educating children and ensuring the intellectual development of adults”.
At a global level, the International Olympic Committee, IOC, has always perceived Olympic pedagogy as a critical tool for the dissemination of the Olympic ideals. The Olympic Charter states: “The goal of the Olympic Movement is to contribute to the building of a peaceful and better world by educating youth through sport practised without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play.”

Olympic Education in SVG
Since gaining affiliate status with the IOC, the St Vincent and the Grenadines National Olympic Committee, NOC, has placed much emphasis on educational programmes. This is one of the mandates of membership as the Olympic Charter makes clear.