While organising the School Olympics, it needs to be kept in mind that the event should be a grand one, targeted at the entire school, and thus, it needs some thorough preparation and planning of preliminary competitions. The School Olympics is not an ordinary sports day but a more complex event, organised on slightly different purposes. All students should be able to enjoy themselves, not only the fastest runner and the best jumper (although they will earn their praise, too!). The School Games should provide activities to engage in to the entire school, both students and teachers. The central part of the School Olympics is the athletic programme, but as a whole, a more varied selection of events is included in it.

The aim of the School Olympics is to involve kids with various interests and abilities, to teach them the essence and values of sports, arise their interest in and guide them so that they would be active in it.

In their composition, the School Olympics resemble „real“ ones, helping to spread the Olympic ideals among students and make them think about them. The School Games also offer various opportunities to engage in hobbies related to sports. In their organisation, the School Olympics adhere to the principles of the Olympic Charter.

Long-term plans for the organisation of the School Olympics
• Start with preparation at least half a year before the School Olympics.
• Plan the programme of the School Olympics (look at the School Olympics Programme), draw up a plan of action.
• In order to get the approval of the management of the School, try to give reasons why you think that the Olympic Games held in your school are useful and necessary for the students, teachers and the school as a whole. Use illustrative material of the previous School Olympics.
• Include in the preparation for the Games the school’s management, other teachers and students. Select the School Olympics organising committee. It should include the headteacher, the representative of the parish or town, parents, teachers, recreational specialist and the representatives of the student body – around ten people.
• Recommend that the topic of the Olympics be used in many classes, using the materials given.
• Introduce the idea of the Olympics and Fair Play to students, using the educational videos of the Estonian Olympic Academy, titled „Olympic Games at Schools“ and „Fair Play“.
• Plan the budget of the School Olympics (inventory necessary for the opening ceremony and events, prizes (diplomas, medals, letters of gratitude, cups, souveniers, etc.), a visit to the sports museum, the necessary materials for holding art contests, photo and video service, rent of audio devices, etc.)
• Look for supporters for the School Olympics project (local governments, different foundations, the companies of parents and the alumni).
• Solve the problems related to the organisation of the Games with the help of the Olympic Games Committee. Select the host of the Olympics quiz. The preliminary contests (for making the mascot and the logo, writing essays and drawing contests) should be announced already 2-3 weeks before the Olympic events. Choose the number of teams and events.
• Find means to lit the Olympic flame.
• Choose the music for the opening and closing ceremonies (the march of the competitors, raising and lowering the flag, lighting the fire, cultural programme) or ask the school orchestra to play.
• Choose one “athlete” and one “referee” to read the Olympic oath.
• Make a list of all the things you have to borrow for the School Olympics (such as balls, stop watches, the podium).
• Order the medals and diplomas or let the students make them.
• Find time for the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games. Plan award ceremony as a special festive event. Ask celebrities to hand the awards.
• If possible, invite a famous Olympic athlete to the School Olympics.
• Don’t forget to inform the media of the School Olympics.
• Invite the representative of the Estonian Olympic Academy to participate in your School Olympics!

Short-term plans for the organisation of the School Olympics
• Compile an accurate schedule for the events of the School Olympics. Make sure that there are plenty of referees for each event. Make sure that the referees have all the equipment they need.
• Specify the tasks of the referees.
• Organise the work of the Secretariat according to firm rules and make it fit the event schedule.
• Prepare the protocols for each event.
• Plan the catering of the students, teachers and honorary guests at the day of the events during the School Olympics.