The Legacy and Sustainability plan for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games — 78 SPORT TO IMPROVE EDUCATION AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT EDUCATION, A CENTRAL COMPONENT OF THE OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC MOVEMENT The International Olympic Committee (IOC) including PE. Some schools receive support positions education as a central component from qualified personnel approved by the of Olympism, as reflected in the first French State to teach PE. In secondary schools of its fundamental principles: “Olympism (middle schools and high schools), PE is taught 21 is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining by specially trained teachers . in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will Teachers who give PE lessons have a key role and mind. Blending sport with culture and to play. Teaching this essential subject, which education, Olympism seeks to create a way conjugates physical exertion, sporting activity of life based on the joy found in effort, and artistic expression with a learning objective, the educational value of good example and is just one way in which all children are able respect for universal fundamental ethical to enjoy fair and equal access to sport and physical principles.” It is a belief that is shared by the activity. Alongside PE teachers, the entire International Paralympic Committee (IPC). educational community, school sports federations, This IOC principle sums up what Paris 2024 sets leaders and volunteers from local sports clubs out to achieve in terms of education and civic have come together to provide an invaluable engagement: we want to increase physical activity public interest service for our young people, and sports opportunities for young people, and Paris 2024 is keen to support and champion harness sport and its values as an educational their efforts. tool and use them to drive engagement. Further to PE lessons, school and university In France, physical education (PE) is compulsory sports federations also play an important role throughout every child’s entire school career. by offering children and young people There should be 3 hours of PE classes per week the possibility to take part in sport and physical for primary school children, 4 hours per week f activity through sports clubs. The various or 11-year-old middle school children, 3 hours federations include the Sports Education Union per week between the ages of 12 and 15, for Primary Education, the French National and 2 hours per week for high school children School Sport Union (operating in middle and aged 16 and upwards. In pre-school high schools), the Sports Union for Free Instruction and elementary schools, year group teachers (private schools) and the French University Sport are required to teach the entire curriculum, Federation. 21. Article L. 312-3 of the French Education Code (Code de l’éducation)