SECTION 1: The Co-hosting of the Games by the Two Municipalities
1.1 The Philosophy of the Event
The International Children's Games are not merely a sporting event. They constitute an educational, social, and cultural experience.
The organization and staging of the 59th International Children's Games by the Municipality of Ancient Olympia and the Municipality of Ilida not only highlight the joint, demanding, and responsible effort of their municipal authorities to host them, but also signal their consistent and ongoing vision and philosophy regarding:
- Investing in the younger generation.
- Enhancing social cohesion.
- Promoting peace and cooperation.
- Highlighting the historical and cultural identity of the cities.
- Establishing their cities as hubs of international cooperation.
This vision and philosophy serve as the core motivation for the effective organization and successful execution of the Games.
1.2 Key Features of the Event
The Municipalities of Ancient Olympia and Ilida are co-organizing the 59th International Children's Games under the title OLYMPIA - ELIS 2027, from June 27, 2027, to July 2, 2027.
This is the largest sporting event of global caliber ever to be hosted in the region. Approximately 1,500 participants (athletes aged 12 to 15, coaches, heads of delegations, and official guests) from 65 cities and 40 foreign countries are expected to gather in the two municipalities. Furthermore, during these specific summer days of 2027, an estimated 3,000 to 5,000 spectators, relatives, and friends of the athletes are expected to visit the two municipalities of Ilia.
1.2.1 Sports – Event Ceremonies
The Games are held under the Auspices of the International Olympic Committee, and all sporting events in the program are Olympic disciplines. For the region of Elis, the sports of Athletics (Track and Field), Swimming, and Beach Volleyball (Kourouta beach) have been selected. For Ancient Olympia, the sports will be Football (Soccer), Tennis, 3X3 Basketball, and Tae kwon do.
Apart from the cultural program being planned for the athletes' stay in both cities, the most prominent events are the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, which will be a precise simulation of the Olympic Games ceremonies.
1.3 The Vision of the Two Cities
The vision of the two Cities is summarized as follows: Cities that provide space, a voice, and opportunities to their children and to the children of the world, under the central slogan:
"Where it all began, here they begin again!"
Based on this principle, the organization aims—through the staging of the games—to promote participation rather than competition, reinforce the right to equal opportunities for all children, highlight timeless athletic, educational, and cultural values, and internationally promote the historical and cultural identity of the region and our country.
This vision encompasses the following core pillars/actions:
- Cities of Sports: By promoting physical activity, strengthening local sports clubs, and upgrading their athletic facilities.
- Cities for Children: Providing safe spaces with infrastructure that ensures accessibility for all, along with the active participation of the school community and youth.
- Cities of Participation: Promoting and upgrading volunteerism, social inclusion, cooperation among stakeholders and civil society, as well as participatory processes.
- Outward-Looking Cities: Achieving international collaborations, promotion in international networks, and global cultural exchanges.
1.3.1 Vision and Local Development
Local development is inextricably linked to the success of the two cities' vision for two main reasons:
1. Successfully addressing core challenges such as:
- The need for sufficient/functional athletic (and other) infrastructure.
- Funding and financial sustainability.
- Managing a large number of children.
- Ensuring the provision of health and safety.
- Rational cross-cultural management.
- Coordinating multiple stakeholders.
This process generates a substantial framework of collaborations, procedures, decisions, protocols, and best practices that will serve as a legacy for the future of the cities.
2. The alignment of the Strategic Plan (S.P.) of the 2027 International Children's Games with other existing or future Strategic Plans of the Municipalities. Indicatively, these include: the Sports Development Plan, the Educational Development and Enhancement Plan for educational output, the Local Youth Plan, the Social Policy Upgrade Plan, the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP), and the Tourism Development and Promotion Plan. This alignment constitutes a decisive element in the formulation and implementation of the event's strategy, and a critical factor in leveraging the Games to contribute to local development.
SECTION 2: Strategic Goals
2.1 Athletic Goals
- Upgrading primarily athletic infrastructure.
- Boosting children's participation in sports.
- Strengthening local sports clubs.
- Creating new municipal sports programs.
2.2 Social Goals
- Empowering social participation.
- Enhancing volunteerism.
- Promoting the concept of equality.
- Connecting the concept of peace with sports.
- Further integrating vulnerable social groups into city life.
2.3 Economic Goals
- Increasing tourism by establishing the cities as recognized tourist destinations.
- Boosting the local economy and market.
- Creating new employment and job opportunities.
- Fostering collaboration between the Municipalities and local businesses for the organization of the games, benefiting the local community.
- Attracting funding and sponsorships.
2.4 Educational Goals
- Strengthening cooperation within the educational community and schools.
- Creating educational networks.
- Organizing intercultural education and learning programs.
- Highlighting the role of children in society and protecting children's rights.
2.5 Environmental Goals
- Developing environmental consciousness through public awareness campaigns.
- Organizing sustainable games.
- Promoting green transportation.
- Reducing the carbon footprint.