International Children’s Games in Athens

The 2009 event in our city has two significant differences compared to previous ICGs. First, the events of the Games will take place in different sports grounds all over Athens so that the entire city can take part in the celebration. Second, for the first time ever, children with disabilities will also be taking part in the Games, making the motto of the Athens Games "Τogether, All friends" a reality.

From the first International Children's Games in June 1968 in Celje, Slovenia, to the 43rd which will take place in June 2009 in Athens, there has been a single purpose: to promote peace and understanding between peoples. Children and teenagers from all over the world, in the context of a sports event dedicated to them, are called to meet each other and become friends, representing their countries and cultivating feelings of friendship and solidarity.

The great games dedicated to children were born from the vision of a sports instructor, the Slovenian Metod Klemenc, who wanted to use sports to send out a message of reconciliation and solidarity capable of reaching every corner of the globe.

In the 40 plus years of their history, the Games have managed to achieve the dream of their creator, bringing together children from all over the world every year. With more than 32,000 children from every continent of the planet having taken part in the Games, strong friendships have been created, and different cultures have come one step closer together, opening up new horizons for all those who take part.

Since 1968 and the nine towns which took part in the first Children's Games to 2008, when representatives of 100 different cities and five different continents met in San Francisco, the movement of the International Children's Games has continued to grow, embracing more and more children.

More than 1,500 athletes from all over the world take part in the events every year. To date there have been 40 summer and 3 winter events in 20 different countries: Andorra, Austria, Canada, the Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Ukraine, and the USA. In total, representatives from 332 different towns and 74 countries have taken part.

The year 1994 was a turning point for the movement, as it was when the first winter children's games were held (in Ravne na Koroskem, Slovenia). It was also the first time that a country outside Europe had held the summer games (Hamilton, Canada).

June 23rd, 2009
Arrival of Delegations
June 24th, 2009
Opening Ceremony
Start of Competitions
June 27th , 2009
End of Competitions
Closing Ceremony
June 28th 2009
Departure of Delegations

Source: http://www.athens2009icg.gr/