What are the International Children’s Games (ICG)?
The International Children’s Games were founded in 1968 in Celje, Slovenia, to ‘enable, develop and advance the meeting, understanding and friendship of students from different countries and promote the Olympic ideal’.
Since then, 48 different cities in Europe, North America, Asia and Australia have hosted either Summer or Winter Games. Each year approximately 1200-1500 athletes and coaches participate in 7 to 10 disciplines over five days in Summer Games, and every two years approximately 600-800 athletes participate in 6 or 7 disciplines in Winter Games.
Check out the ICG website for the history of the ICG.
Who takes part in the ICG?
These are city-to-city Games. Cities are invited to send a team of athletes between the ages of 12 and 15 to compete in their individual sporting events and participate in a variety of cultural activities. They have the opportunity to meet youth from around the world, share stories and their love of sport and make memories to last a lifetime.
Athlete eligibility
All athletes must have turned 12 before 1st January of the year of the Games in which they are participating; an athlete cannot turn 16 in the year of the Games and be eligible.
Athletes must reside or attend school or train in the city they represent. Our team is called Team Kelowna and represents the City of Kelowna at the Games.
What is the level of competition at the ICG?
The ICG is an international competition so athletes and coaches should expect a high level of competition, about the level of the BC Games.
Can parents and/or family members come to the Games?
Yes, we encourage friends and family members to attend the Games with Team Kelowna.
What are the costs to attend?
Athletes: The parents/guardians of each athlete must pay for their child’s travel expenses. At the Games, sports costs, meals, accommodation and transportation are covered by the host city.
Coaches: Unless covered by their sport organization, coaches must pay for their travel expenses. At the Games, sports costs, meals, accommodation and transportation are covered by the host city.
The City of Kelowna helps Team Kelowna with the costs for Games registration, Head of Delegation and City Representative expenses.
Fundraising to support uniforms and other team expenses is needed. Athletes and coaches are expected to participate in fundraising events.
What is the International Children’s Games (ICG) Committee?
The ICG Committee is the executing body of the International Children’s Games; it is headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, and is recognized by the International Olympic Committee. Its responsibilities include the selection of host cities for Games, the supervision of the preparations for the Games and the control of adherence to sport rules during the Games.
Check out the ICG website for the Statutes of the ICG.
Kelowna International Children's Games Committee 