The Commission for Culture and Olympic Education advises the IOC on the promotion of culture and Olympic education and supports the IOC programmes and activities related to the education of youth through sport.
A sporting and cultural dimension
Inspired by this tradition of gathering cultural and sporting events, the modern Games became the opportunity for exchange between cultures and Olympic education. The IOC has acknowledged its particular responsibility in terms of promoting culture and Olympic education, and regards culture as the second dimension of Olympism, alongside sport.
Advice and support
The Commission for Culture and Olympic education was created in 2000 by the merger of two existing Commissions:
- The Cultural Commission
- The IOC Commission for the International Olympic Academy and Olympic Education
Its role is to advise the IOC Executive Board on what policy the IOC and Olympic Movement should adopt in terms of the promotion of culture and Olympic education and, through its members, supports the IOC programmes and activities in this field.
Promoting cultural exchange and diversity of cultures
The IOC has played an important role in the development of the culture and Olympic education agenda, by establishing a policy that seeks to provide greater resources to their promotion in and through sport at national, regional and international level, and particularly at the Olympic Games.
This policy has two main objectives:
- It strives to develop the link between sport and culture in all its forms, encourages cultural exchange and promotes the diversity of cultures.
- It also aims to promote Olympic education and supports other institutions which adhere to the values of Olympism.
A peaceful and better world
It is based on the principles enshrined in the Olympic Charter (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 the Olympic Movement is to contribute to building a peaceful and better world by educating youth through sport practiced without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play.