Doha, Qatar: The 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum (QOSM) announced the winners of the first-ever Cultural Olympiad Expo, an artistic celebration that saw more than 400 student artworks submitted by 28 schools across Qatar.
The Cultural Olympiad Expo, which opened on June 1, gave young artists aged 6–18 a platform to express their creativity while exploring the Olympic and Paralympic values through visual art.
Drawing inspiration from QOSM’s collection and guided by themes such as friendship, respect, excellence, courage, and determination, students recreated or produced their own images in both their personal styles and in the manner of key artistic movements such as cubism, expressionism, and fauvism.
“The Cultural Olympiad Expo has revealed the extraordinary talent and passion of our youth,” said Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Thani, the president of the QOSM. “Through art, students have powerfully interpreted the Spirit of Olympism, and we are thrilled to honour their efforts and showcase their work.”
This initiative revives the original vision of Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Games, who imagined the Olympics as a union of sport, art, and culture.
In preparation for the Expo, schools across Qatar attended a launch event on 15 January, where students toured the museum, discussed the Olympic and Paralympic values, and were briefed on the competition framework. Each school then guided its students in the creation of submissions reflecting these values.
A distinguished judging panel evaluated the artworks, awarding gold, silver, and bronze medals across various age categories. The gold-medal-winning entries will be displayed at QOSM as part of a special national Cultural Olympiad exhibition. Additionally, a Visitors’ Choice Award, voted on by museumgoers, was presented during a special awards ceremony today, 15 September.
In recognition of their efforts, students received a certificate of achievement, celebrating their contribution to the spirit of the Cultural Olympiad. A trophy was also presented to each participating school, acknowledging their role in nurturing creativity and championing Olympic values through education.
