The ‘Kids' Athletics’ program is organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Lifelong Learning and Religious Affairs and the Hellenic Athletics Federation, under the auspices of the IOC and is free of charge.
This programme serves to highlight the role of the Hellenic Olympic Committee in the promotion of sport, the spirit of supporting and extracurricular physical activity according to the principles of the Olympic Ideal and the educational value of sport in shaping the personalities of young people in the conditions of modern life that we all experience.
The program has been designed by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), and aims to bring children of primary school age into contact with classic athleticism, to foster their involvement in it, to emphasize the multiple benefits obtainable through sport and simultaneously offer knowledge about history, culture and the principles of sport through the games organised by Kids' Athletics.
The automatic audio guide is at the disposal of students visiting the stadium and gives them the oportunity to learn all about the Stadium and its thousands of years of history. After the tour, the young students come onto the track and learn about athletics.
The program is designed to popularize the sports of classical athletics among children through a combination of various team sport activities in the form of a game: the "Team event for children".
It consists of a set of motor and functional skills tailored to the needs of children according to their age. It includes three groups of sports:
a) track events
b) throwing events
c) jumping events
and is aimed at three age groups :7-8 years, 9-10 years and 11-12 years.
At the end of the programme both the effort and participation of all children is rewarded and they are awarded a certificate.
Programme timetable
The programme is conducted daily at the Panathenaic Stadium from 9:00 am to 13:00 pm, by experienced teachers of Physical Education and lasts approximately 2 hours (session times are 9:00 to 11:00 or 11:00-13:00).
For the 2010-11 school year the starting date of the program is February 28th 2011 and the last day May 20th 2011. The program is aimed at Primary Schools of the whole country.
Scheduling visits
To schedule visits and to receive additional information please contact Mrs Denise Panagopoulou and Panagiota Sabatakaki at the Panathenaic Stadium from Monday to Friday 10:00-13: 00, on 210 7522984 / 6.
Rules
• Children should arrive in suitable sports clothing and sports shoes. It is essential that students have provided their school with the "student health card" required by law for the participation of students in physical education and sports of all kinds, and a signed declaration from their parents.
After schools have planned their visit and confirmed a date with the Stadium, they should fax a list of the names of the students who will participate in the programme to 210 7526386 ten (10) days before the scheduled visit.
Children should bring:
• a bottle of water
• a hat for sun and ...
• know that no drink, food or gum is to be consumed in the Stadium
• A doctor is present in the Stadium in case of emergency.
Cancellation of visit
If you wish to cancel or postpone your visit, please contact the secretariat of the Stadium as soon as possible so that your time slot can go to another school.
In case of inclement weather, please first contact the secretariat of the Stadium. In case you need to postpone your visit, you can contact us to re-schedule.
Pilot Programme 2010
The pilot project took place from 26th April to 21st May 2010, in cooperation with the HOC, the Ministry of Education, Lifelong Learning and Religious Affairs and the Athletics Federation, under the auspices of the IOC It involved 2,300 children from 40 elementary schools that had the opportunity to tour the Panathenaic Stadium and learn its history.