Grant to the Hellenic Olympic Committee (HOC) for the programme “I love Sports – Kids’ Athletics”, implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Hellenic Athletics Federation (SEGAS).
Based on an idea by HOC President Mr Spyros Kapralos, “Kids’ Athletics” aims to popularise classical sports through a programme of group athletic activities in the form of a game which comprises three types of events: (a) running, (b) jumping and (c) throwing.
The programme is addressed to three age groups — 7-8, 9-10 and 11-12. A pilot implementation began in the year 2010-11 from Attica (Panathinaic Stadium), with the ultimate aim of expanding it throughout Greece.
“Kids’ Athletics” forms part of the overall drive of the HOC to make the Panathinaic Stadium available to the public. The children were visibly enthusiastic at the end of the programme, to the great satisfaction of the President and all members of the HOC about the success of this initiative.
Visitors’ book www.radiant.gr/stadion/kidsbook; http://www.panathenaicstadium.gr/
INTERVIEWS
“I love Sports – Kids’ Athletics”
In April 2010 the Panathinaic Stadium, where the Olympic Games were revived in 1896, opened its doors to the general public—adults and children, Greek and foreign visitors alike. After the success of the first, 2-month pilot implementation, it was continued with increasing participation and interest by young and old.
The “opening” of the Stadium was a vision of HOC President Mr Spyros Kapralos for a venue accessible to all, from all parts of the world, so that they get to feel the Olympic spirit and love sports. The Museum in the atrium with posters and Olympic torches from the Games’ revival to this day, the screening of footage from the Olympic Games of 2004, the tour of the Stadium and the virtual tour of the history of the Games through the automatic audio guides make for a comprehensive experience of sports and culture going hand-in-hand.
For young visitors, an inspired and thoroughly organised programme was developed on the basis of children’s participation and the use of audiovisual material. The HOC’s “I love Sports – Kid’s Athletics”, in collaboration with the Hellenic Athletics Federation (SEGAS), the Hellenic Volleyball Federation and the Hellenic Basketball Federation, provides an experiential visit for the children who follow the history of the Panathinaic Stadium via a modern automatic tour guide system, visit the open-air museum and then take part in their own games.
“The children put on their headphones and we walk together around the Stadium, stopping at all points of interest, seeing and listening to the information. Next they visit the Museum, listen to the recorded narrative of Voula Patoulidou and are then ready to go into action. They enter the arena, are divided into teams of different colours and compete in play form: on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays they take part in running, jumping and throwing events—three sports per category—and on Tuesdays and Thursdays they play volleyball and basketball. The winners take the three medals, all participants are given a certificate and everyone goes home with a book about the Olympic Games and a commemorative medal which carries information about the history of the Stadium inside”.
In its seven years the programme is constantly enriched with new elements derived from the enthusiasm of its people, the administrative staff and the athletes who take an active part and teach the little ‘secrets’ of their success to the children. Along with their Olympic winner guides, the children play and learn, even on rainy days when the programme is adjusted accordingly and still fascinates the children. None of these daily activities in the Stadium, with and for the children, would have been possible without the support of two institutions — the Niarchos Foundation and the Paul & Alexandra Canellopoulos Foundation.
“The Paul & Alexandra Canellopoulos Foundation was our first sponsor. It was the Foundation that embraced with enthusiasm and love the vision of Mr Kapralos; the Foundation that paved the way for us to seek more sponsors. It is our constant and precious supporter and our lucky charm”.
* Discussion with Ms Denise Panagopoulos, technical consultant to the Hellenic Olympic Committee, Head of reopening the Panathenaic Stadium to the public and the Kids’ Athletics programme.