Following the successful conclusion of the 2026 International Olympic History Youth Competition, the European Olympic Academies (EOA) are pleased to present the posters created by the European winners of this year’s competition.
Organised by the International Society of Olympic Historians (ISOH) in cooperation with the International Olympic Academy (IOA), the competition invited Young Olympic Ambassadors to explore and present the Olympic history of their countries under the theme “The First Olympians of My Country: The Road to the Games.”
The four posters presented below reflect outstanding historical research, creativity, and artistic quality. Together, they illustrate how young people from different European countries interpret and celebrate their national Olympic heritage while promoting the Olympic values of excellence, friendship, and respect.
Lika Khabelov (Georgia) received the award for the Best European Poster, with an outstanding work that earned the highest ranking among all European participants in the competition.
European Young Olympic Ambassadors achieved further success by earning three Special Awards, all of which we present down below:
| Category | Distinguished |
| Best Historical Accuracy | Burak Colak (Turkey) |
| Most Original Concept | Agnete Elmeros Jersild (Denmark) |
| Informative Value and Visual Clarity | Viva Kovac and Ivan Relic (Croatia) |
The competition was evaluated by an international jury comprising some of the world’s leading experts in Olympic history, including Professor Charilaos Tsolakis, President of the International Olympic Academy, together with ISOH Executive Board members Professor Konstantinos Georgiadis, Professor Maria Bulatova, and Tolga Sinoforoglu. For the first time, the judging process also included the Young Coordinators of the International Session for Young Olympic Ambassadors, bringing an important youth perspective to the evaluation.
“The success of the ‘The First Olympians of My Country: The Road to the Games’ competition reaffirms a fundamental truth: the future of the Olympic Movement is rooted in an understanding of its past. By researching and celebrating the journeys of their nations’ first Olympians, young participants have not only honored history but also become its ambassadors, ensuring that the ideals and traditions of Olympism continue to inspire generations to come.”
Prof. Maria Bulatova, EOA Vice-President and ISOH Executive Board Member
The EOA warmly congratulate all winners and participants. Every poster submitted to the competition represents an important contribution to preserving and promoting Europe’s rich Olympic heritage. We hope these inspiring works will encourage even more Young Olympic Ambassadors to participate in future editions of the International Olympic History Youth Competition.
Stay tuned for Part 2!
