Now in its ninth year, the Globeducate Sports Olympics were first staged in 2012 and this year are taking place in an unprecedented virtual format due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Over a thousand students from about a dozen Globeducate schools around the globe are taking part in the 2021 event. Nobel Algarve PE teacher Joe Walker and physical education coordinator Paulo Bitoque have created a comprehensive virtual programme, to encourage competition and a sense of sporting community across the group, even if at a distance.

The programme features a Portugal Pentathlon, in honour of the host country, involving five disciplines: Standing Long Jump, Standing High Jump, Seated Chest Press, 10m shuttle run, and 1-minute distance run.

Each school’s participating students in their respective age categories – 8-9, 10-12 and 12-13 – are giving their all to set the best times they can in the heats before sending their results through to Nobel Algarve. The winners will be announced on 9 June and schools from all around the network will be joining in with the closing ceremony, which will feature a special motivational message from former Olympic Team GBR sprinter Mark Richardson.

Since its inception, the Globeducate Sports Olympics have been hosted by schools across the Globeducate network. Next year, Nobel Algarve’s Lagoa campus will host the 10th Globeducate Sports Olympics.

Globeducate’s Chief Education Officer Daniel Jones said: “Every year, the Globeducate Sports Olympics brings our school communities together to witness great sporting achievements, but more importantly, it embodies some of the values and attributes that we believe in, such as teamwork, fair play, respect, effort and resilience. Through the Globeducate Sports Olympics, our students and staff share experiences and form friendships that last long into the future.

“This year we are excited to see how our schools will rise to the challenge of connecting virtually with the event, just as we have done so successfully with our other Globeducate events.”