The French Olympic Academy takes a pioneering approach to preserving the past. Their initiative empowers the public to actively contribute sports-related materials to archives, ensuring that this vital part of French history is available for future generations.
Project: “The Great Collection of Sports Archives” (Grande Collecte des Archives du Sport)
Organisation: National Olympic Academy of France
The Grande Collecte des Archives du Sport is a pioneering initiative launched in 2022 by the National Olympic Academy of France in response to the observation by sports historians that many sports-related materials – particularly those focusing on women’s sports, parasports, and equipment manufacturers – are underrepresented in public archives. Recognised as part of the Cultural Olympiad by the Paris 2024 Organising Committee, this project invites the public to actively contribute sports-related archives, ensuring that this vital part of French history is preserved for future generations.
Supported at the national level by the French Ministry of Culture, La Grande Collecte mobilises a broad network, including over 180 national, departmental, and municipal archive services across both mainland France and its overseas territories. The initiative reaches out to diverse participants, including clubs, athletes, coaches, journalists, and even sports enthusiasts. The goal is to collect a wide variety of materials – ranging from historical documents and photographs to digital archives—covering every aspect of sport’s impact on society, from politics and economics to health, culture, and fashion.
One of the project’s most innovative features is its inclusivity and participatory nature. It empowers citizens to become the custodians of their own sporting history. In collaboration with schools, the project also engages younger generations, ensuring that the importance of preserving sports heritage is recognized at all levels of society. Events like exhibitions, conferences, and digitization campaigns are held to further raise awareness and promote the collected materials.
With over 450 enhancement operations planned—including source guides, educational kits, exhibitions, and digitized materials—the Grande Collecte will provide a valuable resource for researchers, historians, and the general public alike. It aims to enrich the FranceArchives portal with detailed records, while its outcomes will contribute to the broader European archival framework. This large-scale project will leave a lasting legacy, preserving the memory of sport in France and serving as a model for future Olympic host nations.
The initiative will run until the end of 2024, with a continued focus on expanding the national sporting archives and enhancing public awareness of the importance of protecting this cultural heritage. This project of the French Olympic Academy serves as a model for other National Olympic Academies. It encourages them to continue researching and filling historical gaps in their national Olympic heritage.
Further Information:
https://www.culture.gouv.fr/dossier-actualites/Dossiers/la-culture-au-caeur-des-jeux2/grande-collecte-des-archives-du-sport
https://cnosf.franceolympique.com/culture-olympique
The EOA Flame Award will be presented to the winner during the EOA Congress in Olympia on 27th September 2024.
