ELENI SOT. GKLEGKLE

Teacher of Physical Education, MSc

PHYSICAL EDUCATION AS A TOOL FOR

PROMOTING

THE OLYMPIC IDEALS

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Aim of the research

The aim of the present research was to explore the

relationship between PE and the promotion of Olympic

Ideals in primary schools.

More precisely, this study tried to capture the way, according

to which PE at schools can provide opportunities to the

students on one hand to understand the educative and

social value of sports and on the other to acknowledge the

Olympic spirit and the Ideals of Olympism.

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Research questions

Which are the perceptions of teachers of PE in the primary and secondary schools of Greece concerning the importance and significance of sport education?

How do they perceive the relation between PE and Olympic Ideals?

Which are the practices they use to promote the Olympic Ideals and Values through PE in their school?

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Values of Olympism

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Objectives of PE at schools

Developing the knowledge

Understanding the contribution of physical

activity to the enhancement of well-being

Developing motor skills via the movement

Understanding those values and attitudes that can

contribute to the enhancement of self-esteem,

and self-confidence

Obtaining knowledge with regard to the cultural and

social factors

Developing interpersonal skills and attitudes

Taking part in the creation of a healthy community

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Skills that students can develop through the

sport education at school

Physical Skills

Self management

and competitive

skills

Communicative skills

Social and Co-operative skills

Problem-Solving skills

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Examples of Olympic educational programs

in Greece

As Constantinides (2003) mentions, the lesson of Olympic education started being taught in the Greek schools in January 2001, inspired by the Olympic Games being held in Athens, in 2004.

The ultimate objective of the program was the so-called Open School, which invited all the stakeholders to take part in the activities implemented and all the events.

Constantinides (2003, p. 216) argues that “Olympic Education is a pedagogic program in the frame of which values, acquired knowledge, experiences and dexterities are promoted.

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The objectives of Olympic Education

Program (OEP)

To teach students the history of the Olympic Games.

To ensure both the values and the principles of sports were

taught to students.

To inform the students about the importance of the Olympic Games for their own country

and in general.

To make students aware of the concept and the important role

of volunteerism, which is a crucial factor ensuring the

success of the Olympic Games.

To help students develop skills, which are associated with the

control of behavior.

To allow students realize the significance of the exercise in

their health.

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Olympic education programs in other

countries

A similar program was implemented in Singapore between 14 and 26 August 2010. All the activities of the program were based on five themes of Olympism: a) development of skills,

b) healthy lifestyle, c) well-being, d) expression and e) social responsibility.

In the same year, the Indian Olympic Committee developed the Olympic Values Education Program (OVEP), which aimed at encouraging young students to participate in sports and

learn the Olympic values.

The largest program concerning Olympic Education around the world was implemented in China, in 2008. The program had two aims: a) to bring the Olympic Values to

schoolchildren and b) to break down borders and making friends

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Methodology

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Quantitative method was used in this research

The appropriate instrument was the Structured questionnaire

The questions were both close and open ended

The questionnaire consisted of three sections.

Out of a total of 108 teachers of PE in the primary and

secondary schools of the city of Kalamata, Greece.

The research was conducted between October 2012 –

December 2012.

PE at school……………

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Contributes to the enhancement of self-esteem, and self-

confidence of the students and encourage students to take active

part in community activities.

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Helps students to develop self-management skills and to

learn and acquire knowledge about health care

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Helps students to learn how the values, the actions and

the attitudes of the other people affect their own well-being

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Encourages students to express their feelings, opinions, needs and

ideas through the development of interpersonal skills and to

understand and acknowledge their responsibilities within the

community they live in

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Percentage of teachers who think that school promotes

the Olympic Ideals through physical education.

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Percentage of teachers who promote physical

activities outside school.

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Percentage of teachers who promote activities

that link

physical education with the spirit of Olympism.

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Suggestions about what should be done so as PE at school is

able to promote the Olympic Ideals to the students

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The participation of the parents and the local community in the design and implementation of physical activities. The teachers indicated

the need of cooperation between all the stakeholders, so as the PE to become a means of enhancement of the concept of

Olympism and the promotion of the Olympic Ideals to all students.

Reform of the strict and non-flexible curriculum, so as teachers have the ability to

take initiatives, which will on one hand encourage the participation of all

stakeholders in the physical activities organized by the school and on the other

promote the Olympic Education and help the students to learn, understand and acknowledge the Olympic Ideals.

Discussion

All the respondents claimed that PE at school is very important because it helps

students to:

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Acquire physical skills.

Understand the contribution of physical activity to the enhancement of their well-being.

Enhance self-esteem, and self-confidence of the students.

Develop interpersonal skills and attitudes.

Develop self-management skills.

Learn and acquire knowledge about health care.

Obtain information about the various cultural and social factors that affect the participation of a person in physical activities.

Cultivate relationships with other students and their classmates.

Respect the Other.

Express their feelings, their opinions, needs and ideas through the development of interpersonal skills.

Discussion

However, the majority of the teachers that took part in the research claimed that PE at

their school does not:

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Encourage students to take active part in community activities.

Encourage students to take part in the creation of a healthy community.

Help students to learn how the values, the actions and the attitudes of the other people affect their own well-being.

Help students identify how their actions, attitudes, and behaviours affect the behaviour, the well-being and the attitudes of the other people.

Contribute to the cultivation of relationships between students the members of the wider community.

Help students to understand and acknowledge their responsibilities within the community they live in.

Encourage students to take initiatives, to take part in collective actions and to make changes so as to develop a healthy community.

How teachers of physical education in the primary and

secondary schools of Greece perceive the relation between

physical education and Olympic Ideals?

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All teachers have a common perception regarding the concept of Olympism and what constitutes the Olympic Ideals. Excellence, friendship, peace, respect were the Values of Olympism they mentioned, which coincides with the literature review

Nevertheless, the lack of a relationship between the school and the community, as well as the non-flexible and strict curriculum and the teacher-centered teaching model in the Greek bureaucratic education system are the problems identified by the teachers.

These problems are linked to the lack of promotion of activities that enhance the relationship between school and community and promotes the link between PE and the Olympic Ideals.

Which are the practices that the teachers of physical education

in the primary and secondary schools of Greece uses, so as to

promote the Olympic Ideals and Values through physical

education in their school

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The school does not promote physical activities which link PE with the Olympic Ideals. In addition, teachers do not promote physical activities outside school.

the research indicated that the creation of small groups within the classroom and the implementation of competition of various sports at the end of the school year are the two

practices adopted by the teachers

the teachers suggest that: a) there should be a review and reform of the curriculum, so as to be more flexible and give the teachers the ability to implement practices and take initiatives and b) the

school should cooperate more with the local community.

Conclusions

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The analysis indicated that teachers have problems stemming from the strict curriculum that does not allow them to take initiatives regarding the promotion of Olympic Ideals through physical activities at school.

Another problem that results in this is the lack of cooperation between school and local community.

Therefore, this research stresses the importance of: a) the closer cooperation of the school with the community and all the stakeholders and b) the fact that PE teachers should be more encouraged in organizing physical activities in the school and outside the curriculum, that will further promote the Olympic Spirit and the Olympic Education.

It should be mentioned that all teachers should bear in mind that “influenced by the ancient Greeks, the Fundamental Principles of Olympism portrayed on the Olympic Charter reflect this significance of the respect for balance in the human character between aspects of mind, body and spirit, an understanding of the joy found in effort, an emphasis on peaceful behaviour and respect for others”

Thank you for attention!

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