First look at future Olympic champions: 5 reasons to follow Gymnasiade 2018

Three-thousand young people from across the world will test their skills at the summer Gymnasiade. The 17th edition runs from May 2-9 in Marrakesh and Casablanca, Morocco. Organised by the International School Sport Federation, this huge gathering is a chance to spot future talent and promote education through sport.

1. Spot future Olympic champions

The Gymnasiade is a springboard to qualification for the Youth Olympic Games, which will be held between October 6-18 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. They are also a chance to follow in the footsteps of Olympic stars...

Kevin Mayer (France) took part in Gymnasiade 2009 in Doha (Qatar). This was his launchpad for winning the silver medal in decathlon at the 2016 Rio Olympics and gold the year after at the IAAF World Championships in London
Rebeca Andrade de Rodrigues (Brazil), individual gold and team silver medallist at Gymnasiade 2013 in Brasilia, later competed at the 2016 Rio Olympics
Flavia Lopes Saraiva (Brazil) carried off a clutch of individual gold medals and the team silver at Gymnasiade 2013. She went on to compete in the Youth Olympics the following year, before reaching the 2016 Rio Olympics

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Gymnasiades 2018 - Trailer

30/04/2018 at 14:18

woman gold winner gymnasiade brasil

Image credit: International School Sport Federation

2. Surfing is in!

Six sports make their debut at the Gymnasiade: boxing, cycling, golf, petanque, taekwondo and surfing. The latter should stir some special interest, with surfing set to appear for the first time at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, so the Gymnasiade surfers could be the ones to watch in two years' time.

3. El-Gerrouj and other VIP ambassadors

Two-time Olympic champion Hicham El-Gerrouj is one of the star guests at the event. The Moroccan athlete will be dispensing sporting advice, having seen his own position as favourite rocked on the day several times - once by a tumble on the last lap of the 1500m in Atlanta in 1996, then coming second over the same distance in Sydney in 2000 - before winning the ultimate prize, a double gold (1500 and 5000m) at the 2004 Athens Olympics. Two-time Olympic judo champion Teddy Riner (France) and gymnastics bronze medallist Marta Pagnini (Italy) are also on the star ambassador list.

4. A World Cup trial for Morocco

With a month-and-a-half to go before the 2026 World Cup, the Moroccan kingdom is throwing all its weight into their bid against the joint Canada-USA-Mexico entry, making the Gymnasiade the perfect dress rehearsal. FIFA will certainly be paying close attention to the quality of welcome, volunteer commitment and infrastructure between Marrakesh and Casablanca, as 50 teams land in Morocco to participate.

karate fight men turkey brasil gymnasiade

Image credit: International School Sport Federation

5. Culture + education = truly worthwhile trip

The young people won't be meeting just to compete. The Gymnasiade is also a chance to build cultural and educational bridges. The young athletes will take part in workshops on peace and equality in sport and on the anti-doping campaign.

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