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Education First & The Olympics: A Legacy of Connection

January 20, 2026

Friendship. Excellence. Respect.

These are the core values of the Olympic Movement. Since Baron Pierre de Coubertin founded the modern Olympic Games, the International Olympic Committee has encouraged youth and adults to work toward a better, more peaceful world.

This is a mission we have always understood well at Education First. Since 1988, EF has worked with the Olympics to design and deliver a range of educational solutions that promoted understanding and connectedness at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Over the decades, we provided online language testing for volunteers, designed digital curricula on sports and Olympic hosting for students, and taught professional language skills to Organizing Committees.

A History of Partnership: We were proud to be appointed as the trusted supplier of language and education services for seven Olympic Games. Our official appointments included:

  • Official Language Training Services Exclusive Supplier of the Beijing 2022 Winter Games

  • Official Partner for Language Training Services of the Tokyo 2020 Summer Games

  • Official Education Services Sponsor to the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games

  • Official Language Services Supplier to the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Summer Games

  • Official Supplier of Language Programs of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games

  • Official Language Training Services Supplier of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

  • Official Language School of the Seoul 1988 Summer Olympics

Beyond the Games, EF’s commitment to the Olympic values continued long after the closing ceremonies. Throughout our partnership, U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist and EF Olympic Ambassador DeeDee Trotter travelled around the world to deliver inspirational talks on leadership, endurance, and breaking down barriers.

For over 30 years, EF has been proud to stand with the Olympic values. As we look back on Tokyo 2020, Beijing 2022, and beyond, we celebrate a shared history of reaching diverse populations and creating experiences that truly opened the world.

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