Olympic Values in Action: Empowering Women and Young People in Saudi Arabia
Established in 2005 and recognised internationally with the “Nurturing Values and Ethics Award” at the 2024 Reimagine Education Awards—widely regarded as the “Oscars of education”—the Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP) celebrated a major milestone in April 2025 through the launch of three key projects in Saudi Arabia.
The first initiative was held in the historic city of AlUla, where the Olympic Museum team, which manages OVEP, led a two-day “Train the Trainer” workshop. In partnership with the Saudi Olympic Academy and the Royal Commission of AlUla (RCU), the workshop aimed to empower 35 local teachers and coaches—both male and female—to integrate Olympic values into their daily teaching practices. Participants were also encouraged to design community-focused projects that reflect the core principles of excellence, respect and friendship.
“Such training represents a unique opportunity for intercultural dialogue and a rich human and social experience,” said IOC Head of International Cultural Affairs Frédérique Jamolli. “Above all, it stands as a powerful demonstration of the strength of the universal values promoted by Olympism.”
The impact was immediate. Within two weeks, participants had launched an OVEP-inspired programme at a local girls’ school that included inclusive activities for students with disabilities. A community event was also organised to celebrate Olympic values and introduce the sport of archery to local children and their families.
“What I like about the Olympic values is that they focus on the human side before the sport,” said Asmaa Odeh Al-Juhani, a young female participant. “It’s a reminder that sport is not just about winning and losing, but about values, cooperation and tolerance. These courses helped me grow, and I hope they continue to be shared in schools and clubs. They help us become stronger, better people, and build a society based on mutual respect.”
The second initiative took place in Riyadh, where the first module of the Olympic Studies Diploma—“Olympic Education and Values Education”—was conducted by the Saudi Olympic Academy, in partnership with the International Olympic Academy. This intensive module explored how Olympic values and principles translate into practice across areas such as sports management, legal frameworks, international relations, and Olympic education. OVEP featured as a foundational component of the programme, offering participants a deep insight into adapting Olympic values in modern educational settings. By the module’s conclusion, participants had proposed eight new projects, many of which quickly progressed into the planning stage.
“What sets OVEP apart is the care we take to adapt each experience to the local context,” said OVEP Lead Xenia Kourgouzova. “This emphasis on adaptability was key in Saudi Arabia, where each initiative was uniquely tailored to ensure the Olympic values were deeply relevant to the communities involved.”
The final project took place at **Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (PNU)**—the largest women’s university in the world, home to over 33,000 students—where a seminar titled “Olympic Education and Teaching Values” was held at the university’s newly inaugurated College of Sport Sciences and Physical Activity. Opened in 2024, the college marks a significant step forward in promoting women’s involvement in sport and nurturing the next generation of female sports professionals and leaders in the Kingdom.
About the Olympic Values Education Programme (OVEP)
Launched in 2005 and managed by the Olympic Museum, OVEP offers a set of free, accessible teaching resources designed to complement school curricula. By using the context of Olympic sport and the Fundamental Principles of Olympism, OVEP aims to highlight the long-term benefits of sport and physical activity while promoting a deeper understanding of Olympism’s influence on health, enjoyment and social development. For more details, visit the programme’s official website.
Written by: V.2 Editorial Team
