In the final selection of posters from the 2026 International Olympic History Youth Competition, the European Olympic Academies are pleased to present the creative works of Young Olympic Ambassadors from Austria, Hungary, Italy, and Türkiye.
Three of these posters focus on countries that stood at the very origins of the modern Olympic Movement. Austria, Hungary, and Italy were among the first nations to embrace Pierre de Coubertin’s vision and played an important role in shaping the early history of the Olympic Games.
The Austrian poster, handed in by David Hamp, explores the country’s royal and cultural connections to the revival of the Olympic Movement, highlighting the pioneers and traditions that helped establish Austria as one of the leading Olympic nations.
Brúnó Negyeliczky´s contribution for Hungary traces the nation’s Olympic journey from the inaugural Athens Games in 1896, emphasizing its remarkable sporting achievements and its place among the founding participants of the modern Olympic era.
Italy’s poster by Samuel Schina tells the story of the country’s first Olympians and the determination of the athletes who travelled to Athens in 1896, laying the foundations for more than a century of Italian Olympic success.
In contrast, Gizem Nur Gezici from Türkiye focuses on a different but equally significant chapter of Olympic history—the pioneering role of the first Turkish women Olympians. The poster celebrates the courage of female athletes who broke social barriers and opened new opportunities for future generations of women in sport.
Together, these four posters demonstrate the diversity of approaches taken by Europe’s Young Olympic Ambassadors, showing that Olympic history is not only a story of sporting achievements but also of cultural heritage, social progress, and the people whose vision and determination have shaped the Olympic Movement across generations. Or in other words:
“Through the eyes of young researchers, these posters reveal a timeless truth: empires rise and fall, borders change, but the Olympic spirit continues to unite people beyond politics and history.”
Prof. Maria Bulatova, EOA Vice-President and ISOH Executive Board Member
For us as the EOA, it was a great pleasure to present all 12 European poster entries into the 2026 International Olympic History Youth Competition. We warmly encourage everyone to check out Part 1 and Part 2 of our mini-series as well.
