Last week more than 600 young runners from all over the World gathered in Paris; the ISF World School Championship 2018 in cross country was held right at the feet of the Eiffel Tower.
The 2018 WSC in cross country, organised by the French School Sport Federation (UNSS) and Academie de Paris, took place from April 2-6, with the main competition held on Wednesday, April 4.
Champ de Mars hosted 600 athletes from 34 countries. Along with youth, more than 5000 attendees and 300 volunteers joined to support the World School Championships (WSC) and the School Sport movement.
ISF was honoured by the visit of Minister of Sports Ms Laura Flessel, Minister of Education Mr Jean-Michel Blanquer, Mr J-Francois Martins, deputy mayor of Paris (Sport and Tourism) and Olympic and World champion Mr Hicham El Guerrouj.
The event was also supported by the Region of Ile de France and the City of Paris and broadcasted by Olympic Channel.
The World Record holder and Olympic Champion Hicham El Guerrouj among the official ambassadors
Moroccan athletics superstar Hicham El Guerrouj, the two-time Olympic Games gold winner, four-time World Champion and the World Record holder in 1500m run, joined ISF WSC Cross Country as the official ambassador, and as a strong supporter of youth sport.
Beside El Guerrouj, the young athletes were also welcomed by Nafissatou Thiam, Ladji Doucoure, Danois Maeva, Nantenin Keita, Stephane Diagana, Lemaitre Christophe and Bouabdellah Tahri - other official ambassadors of ISF WSC Cross Country 2018.
In true spirit of Education through Sport, the event also featured the Cultural day with a conference in Sorbonne University's Auditorium, walking tours across Paris and its museums, and a Friendship Relay Run with athletes enjoying the running and embracing ISF's partner Kinder+Sport's slogan the "Joy of Moving".
The event also served as the first meeting of ISF Youth Council and their project Fun&Skills. 17 members from 15 countries gathered to prepare and plan 9 activities, on topics of sustainability, inclusion and healthy life, to be later implemented at Gymnasiade 2018 | School Summer Games in Morocco.
Results; the host of Gymnasiade 2018 became the fastest team in 3 (out of 4) categories
Girls selected teams podium
Australia
England
New Zealand
Boys selected teams podium
Morocco
England
Algeria
Boys school teams podium
Morocco
New Zealand
Turkey
Girls school teams podium
Morocco
Australia
New Zealand
The Joy of Moving trophy for Fair Play, from ISF partner Kinder+Sport, was awarded to the team from Netherlands.
FULL RESULTS:
udb.unss.org/isfcross
Watch the race again: live stream archive
Facebook: facebook.com/ISFWSC.cross.
Official website: crossparis2018.fr
Report from Athletics Africa (with results):
Morocco, Algeria shine at 2018 ISF WSC Cross Country in Paris
Thank you to everyone involved, from organisers to youth and guests. #CrossISFParis is done and we are excited to be heading to Slovakia for the 2020 WSC cross-country.
