All pictures by Ahmed Barakat / The Peninsula
Doha, Qatar: The Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum (QOSM) has officially launched the 321 Cultural Olympiad, a vibrant and creative initiative celebrating the intersection of athleticism and artistic expression, inspired by the vision of modern Olympic Games founder Baron Pierre de Coubertin.
Running from June 1 to 24, the Olympiad highlights the enduring connection between sport and the arts, echoing De Coubertin’s belief that ‘arts and literature joined with sport to ensure the greatness of the Olympic Games.’
Speaking to The Peninsula on the sidelines of the initiative, Abdulla Y. Al Mulla, Director of the Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, said: “This school culture is really been initiated by our outreach and learning department at the Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the artistic committee in Qatar. We started in January by inviting all the schools and selected 400 artworks from 28 schools.”
These pieces reflect the Olympic and Paralympic values, history, and themes, showcasing the imagination and talent of the nation’s youth.
“We gave students the freedom to choose any object they liked from the 1,400 on display in the gallery. Each student picked one, and from there, took the initiative to create something truly fantastic. To be honest with you, I’m very impressed with what I saw, and I believe this will become a yearly exhibition for students,” Al Mulla said.
Rooted in Olympic history, the Cultural Olympiad draws from the Ancient Greek tradition and the early 20th-century Olympic Games (1912–1948), when disciplines such as literature, sculpture, music, and architecture were awarded Olympic medals. The initiative invites students from Grade 6 and above to explore this legacy by designing and presenting creative works that embody the Spirit of Olympism.
The director further stated, “At its heart, the 321 Cultural Olympiad is about inspiring a new generation to appreciate the cultural and human values that sport represents. This initiative reflects our dedication to engaging with the Olympic values through art, education, and creative expression. It celebrates Qatar’s growing role in global sport and gives young people a chance to connect with the cultural side of sport.
The 321 Cultural Olympiad will culminate in a public Awards Ceremony on June 23, recognising outstanding student contributions. The event will welcome school leaders, educators, students, judges, and representatives from key partners including the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and the Qatar International Art Festival (QIAF).
By reviving this cultural tradition, QOSM aims to inspire a new generation through the powerful synergy of sport and art—promoting peace, unity, and cultural dialogue in an evolving global landscape. The officials stressed that admission to the Awards Ceremony is free and open to the public, while the museum remains closed on Tuesdays
