USOC Education
Welcome to the U.S. Olympic Academy, a program of the United States Olympic Committee that comprises education and outreach efforts.
From its very inception, the Modern Olympic Movement has fused education with sport and culture to improve both the body and mind. Pierre de Coubertin, the father of the Modern Olympic Games, crafted a vision of universal education through Olympism, spreading such ideals as discipline, focus, vision, commitment, and persistence. In fact, the 2004 Olympic Charter articulates this longstanding commitment to education in its Fundamental Principles:
Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and mind. Blending sport with culture and education, Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy found in effort, the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles.
The goal of education—of Olympism—may be summarized in a quote from 2000 by then IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch: “Every act of support for the Olympic Movement promotes peace, friendship and solidarity throughout the world.”
The U.S. Olympic Committee invites you to explore
its initiatives and programs dedicated to spreading
the Olympic Ideals and Values.
Education Programs
Olympians in Life
Educational lesson plans for grades kindergarten through 12 promote the Olympic Ideals and Values and are accompanied by profiles of athletes training for Beijing in 2008. Lessons are grouped according to major educational strands: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. Register for free access.
For the month of March, leading up to the Torch Relay in San Francisco on April 9, Lenovo, the 2008 Beijing Olympic Torch Relay Worldwide Partner, has sponsored a module of lessons that instruct students about the Torch Relay, its history, its purpose, and more. Click here to access lessons for grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12.
Olympic Week in America
This comprehensive, interdisciplinary program on Olympic Ideals and Values for grades kindergarten through 5 may be implemented any time during the school year, but it is ideal for National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, which occurs in May, as well as the USOC’s own Olympic Week, April 30-May 4, 2007. Follow the link above to register and access details about the program, including a program guide, 20 lesson plans, student pages, and more.
Outreach Programs
Real Athletes Show Respect
In 2008 the USOC launched “Real Athletes Show Respect” to schools, community groups, and the general public. This latest theme in a multi-year educational program is supported by TV public service announcements, posters, and brochures.
Real Athletes Are Good Sports
In January 2007, the USOC launched a new theme in its multi-year campaign showcasing and championing the principles associated with the Olympic Movement. Focusing on the value of good sportsmanship, 'Real Athletes Are Good Sports' is supported by PSAs, posters, and more.
Real Athletes Play Fair
In 2006, during its first year of a multi-year campaign promoting Olympic Values, the USOC developed materials to support the concept of fair play, which includes drug-free competition. The campaign is supported by posters, PSAs, movie theater ads, interviews with 2006 Olympians and more.
Paralympic Academy
The goal of the Paralympic Academy is to inspire students with physical disabilities, ages 12-18, along with the teachers and coaches who instruct them, by introducing them to Paralympic sport and helping them to discover what ability really means. The 2007 Paralympic Academy will be held at the U.S. Olympic Training Center (OTC) in Colorado Springs, Colo. The event features training sessions with Paralympians, a VIP tour of the OTC and an opportunity to spend a weekend with Olympic and Paralympic athletes.
Kids Base Camp
The U.S. Olympic Base Camp originally launched with the 2002 Olympic Winter Games as the official source for "kid friendly" information about U.S. Olympic Team, focusing on enhancing kids reading skills while providing them with interactive lessons in teamwork, discipline, vision and goal setting. In 2006, an interactive game called, "Play Sissy's Hockey Havoc," was introduced, featuring features on 2006 Olympians and a Q&A where some of the greatest Summer Olympians talk about their favorite Winter Olympic moments.
Features include interactive Olympic value-oriented cartoons, called Boomtoons(TM) interactive Olympic-themed games and trivia, word searches, as well as printable drawings, coloring and assignment sheet pages for kids to share with friends and parents are also included. The Boomtoons'(TM) cartoons feature three-to-four minute animated characters that communicate key values and characteristics of an Olympic athlete: teamwork, discipline and persistence. Three Boomtoon(TM) cartoons featured on the site are: "What about Bobsled," "If First You Don't Succeed," and "You Snooze You Loose."
Junior Olympic Skills
A free skills competition that provides both boys and girls, ages 8 to 13, the opportunity to showcase their athletic abilities in four sports - basketball, soccer, tennis and track & field. A new addition to the Jr. Olympic Skills Competition is the U.S. Olympic 5-Ring Challenge - an exercise self-evaluation that can be performed independently and in the comforts of your home.
Olympic Coach E-Magazine
Latest techniques, practices for the art and science of coaching.
Olympic History
It all began in Greece, ancient Greece, the history of the Games.
Sports Medicine
Basic guidelines on dietary supplements, injuries and more.
Symbols, Marks and Terminology
Guidelines for Using Olympic Symbols, Marks and Terminology
U.S. Anti-Doping Agency
An independent group dedicated to eliminating doping in sport.
Other Programs
Olympic Opportunity Fund
In 2007 the USOC initiated this grant program to encourage growth of Olympic and Paralympic sports involvement through community-based athletic programs. The goal of this initiative is to facilitate the introduction or growth of grassroots programs that will increase participation and membership in NGB sports.
F.L.A.M.E.
In the spirit of the Olympic Ideals of persistence, vision, focus, discipline and commitment, F.L.A.M.E. (Finding Leaders Among Minorities Everywhere) is designed to inspire minority students to cultivate their desire to succeed and rise above the ordinary. Held once a year for four days with college students at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the program is also available to high school students through a one-day program offered by USOC Community Partners in 10 U.S. cities.
Resources for Teachers
Other Olympic-themed materials are available through USOC partnerships and licensee agreements, including Newspapers in Education and Griffin Publishing. Griffin Publishing has produced an extensive number of USOC educational products for grades K–10 using the excitement of the Olympic Games to help motivate students to learn, including Journey To Beijing: Grades K-3, and Journey To Beijing: Grades 4-6. For a full listing of Olympic-themed products, please go to http://www.griffinpublishing.com/.
USOC Affiliated Organizations
The USOC and these organizations work together to develop national interest in Olympic and Paralympic sports and increase opportunities for participation and competition from grassroots to elite-level athletes.
