Small Olympic Games in Serbia: A Celebration of Movement, Togetherness, and Active Values

Jun 2025, Kikinda, Serbia – As the school year ends in Serbia, the Serbian School Sport Federation—one of the most active members of the International School Sport Federation (ISF)—continues to promote meaningful engagement and positive values among its youngest students through its cherished Small Olympic Games.

This year’s edition was hosted in the vibrant city of Kikinda, where hundreds of children from grades 1 to 4 came together to participate in creative and engaging “sport polygons”—playful obstacle courses designed to test agility, coordination, teamwork, and above all, the principles of fair play, friendship, and healthy living. The event emphasizes active involvement and encouragement over competition, cultivating mutual respect and a love of physical activity.

The Small Olympic Games are part of a broader network of national school sport initiatives led by the Serbian School Sport Federation, which organises competitions in 14 different sports and implements additional programmes aimed at engaging students of all backgrounds. These efforts nurture a strong foundation for participation and development from an early age—values closely aligned with the mission of ISF.

This year’s event carried special significance, as ISF President Mr. Željko Tanasković—who also serves as President of the Serbian School Sport Federation—joined the celebration. His presence followed closely after Serbia’s successful hosting of the ISF U15 Gymnasiade 2025 in Zlatibor, which brought together nearly 4,000 participants from almost 60 delegations, making it the largest edition of the event to date.

Serbia’s long-standing commitment to school sport has created impact both nationally and globally. By continuously investing in sport education, youth programming, and event organisation, the Serbian School Sport Federation not only strengthens its domestic school sport system, but also shares its expertise internationally—benefiting student-athletes and educators around the world. In recent years, Serbia has hosted numerous ISF events—including the inaugural U15 Gymnasiade in 2021—and consistently participates in global competitions.

The Small Olympic Games remain a shining example of how school sport fosters values that go beyond the field of play. ISF applauds the Serbian School Sport Federation for its unwavering dedication to youth empowerment, both through local engagement and international collaboration.