Balázs Németh, CEO of L.O.C. of WCH Budapest 23 presents the results of the Schoolhero programme
The Schoolhero programme, the largest athletics education initiative in Hungary, has achieved remarkable success. The organisers of the World Athletics Championships in Budapest announced at a press event held on 1 June at the National Athletics Centre that more than 10,000 students from over 400 schools participated in the programme. This nationwide initiative made athletics the primary focus of physical education lessons for seven weeks, and as a result, approximately 10,000 participating children have been rewarded with the opportunity to attend the World Athletics Championships and witness the thrilling competition between the sport's superheroes.
The Schoolhero programme, associated with the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, has brought tens of thousands of schoolchildren closer to athletics, fostering their passion for the sport.
With 2,000 athletes from 200 countries competing before an anticipated audience of over 100,000 spectators and an estimated one billion television viewers, the 19-27 August showcase aspires to become the best World Athletics Championships ever. However, the organisers of Hungary’s greatest sporting event have set an even more ambitious objective that extends far beyond the nine-day period. They aim to inspire as many children as possible to embrace sports, recognize athletics as the foundation of all sports, and adopt a healthy and active lifestyle through the inspiration of athletics' superheroes.
The Schoolhero programme embodies this spirit by placing athletics at the core of physical education classes and school competitions for seven weeks in April and May. While the organisers provided guidelines on the number of children to compete, physical education teachers had complete freedom to choose exercises, tasks, and challenges tailored to their students' needs.
„The upcoming World Athletics Championships presents a remarkable opportunity for the country. With an estimated viewership of one billion people, the championships will showcase the captivating beauty of Budapest, bolster tourism, and further enhance Hungary's global reputation. Additionally, the championships aim to promote sports engagement among tens of thousands of Hungarians, both young and old, fostering an interest in athletics and encouraging healthier lifestyles. This objective has already been partially accomplished through the successful implementation of the Schoolhero programme”, said Ádám Schmidt, State Secretary for Sport and Government Commissioner for the World Athletics Championships
To acknowledge the dedication and commitment of participating schools, the World Championships organisers will provide 23 complimentary tickets per institution for the opening day on 19 August. Furthermore, any school in the country had the opportunity to apply for a 50% discount on admission, extending the chance to watch the athletes compete live to over 100,000 additional students.
„Under the motto Witness the wonder!, we anticipate witnessing not only the incredible feats of the athletes but also the outstanding achievements of the school athletics programme. The overwhelming response from numerous schools exceeded our expectations, and we extend our gratitude to the dedicated teachers for their support. Our ultimate aspiration is to accommodate all individuals who wish to attend the event, which is why we are committed to organizing an affordable and accessible World Championships. Furthermore, we have prepared several surprises for the much-anticipated kickoff in August", said Balázs Németh, CEO of Budapest 2023 Nonprofit Zrt.
The Schoolhero programme has garnered interest from schools across all counties, with notable enthusiasm observed from Pest, Fejér, Heves, and Budapest.
