The Kingdom of Bahrain is preparing to host the upcoming edition of the International School Games “Gymnasiade” in 2024 under the esteemed patronage of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

First launched in Wiesbaden, Germany, in 1974, the Gymnasiade has since travelled across numerous prominent cities such as Orléans, Turin, and Shanghai, cementing its status in Europe and beyond. Over the years, cities like Orléans, Turin, Lille, Nice, and Bruges became central to the tournament’s European heritage. In 1994, Nicosia, Cyprus, hosted the event, followed by Shanghai in 1998 and Cannes in 2002. Athens, renowned for its Olympic heritage, hosted the tenth edition in 2006, and Doha, Qatar, marked the first Arab host in 2009, a notable moment for school sports in the region. Subsequent editions took place in Brasilia (2013), Trabzon (2016), and Marrakech (2018), with Normandy, France, hosting the most recent edition in 2022.

Bahrain is now stepping up its preparations, ensuring a world-class sports infrastructure. Isa Sports City and Khalifa Sports Complex will welcome over 5,000 athletes from 71 countries, competing across 26 sports, including athletics, archery, badminton, basketball 3×3, beach volleyball, boxing, chess, fencing, gymnastics, judo, karate, and more. The tournament also champions inclusion, featuring sports for people with special needs, such as athletics, badminton, judo, and swimming.

Beyond competition, Bahrain aims to offer a rich cultural exchange through various events, fostering unity and understanding among the participating nations.