What is An Olympiad?
An Olympiad can mean two related things, depending on the context:
1. Historical / Ancient Greece
- In ancient Greece, an Olympiad was a four-year period used as a way of reckoning time.
- It was measured from one Olympic Games to the next, starting in 776 BCE in Olympia.
- For example, instead of saying “in the year 748 BCE,” someone might say “in the 7th Olympiad.”
2. Modern Usage
- Today, “Olympiad” often refers to an international event—usually intellectual or sporting—that takes inspiration from the Olympic Games. The International Humanoid Olympiad is such an international event.
- Examples: International Mathematical Olympiad, International Physics Olympiad, International Robot Olympiad.
- In these contexts, the word emphasizes the prestige, challenge, and international participation of the event, even if it’s not related to sports.
What is the Goal of the 1st International Humanoid Olympiad?
To showcase the capabilities of advanced humanoid systems through a series of talks, exhibitions, and athletic demonstrations / games. The International Humanoid Olympiad is envisioned as an ongoing event, growing in scope and attracting more humanoid athletes and human participants each year.
Olympia was selected for symbolic reasons as the venue of this first event as emphasis has been put into the quality rather than the quantity. This is clearly demonstrated by the expert speakers from Australia, Egypt, Germany, Greece, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, United States, and New Zealand that participate in this first iteration of the event.
The International Humanoid Olympiad is envisioned as an ongoing event, growing in scope and attracting more humanoid athletes and human participants each year. The next iteration will take place in Athens, Greece and will be much larger in scope and size. Dates to be confirmed.
Why Did You Choose Olympia?
We chose Olympia because it is the eternal symbol of human striving, excellence, and unity. For millennia, Olympia has been the place where humanity gathered to celebrate the pinnacle of physical achievement, harmony, and fair competition.
Bringing the Humanoid Olympiad to Olympia connects the ancient pursuit of human excellence with the new frontier of humanoid robotics. Just as athletes once pushed the limits of human strength, speed, and skill here, today we explore how robotics and artificial intelligence can extend those same ideals into the future.
Olympia is not just a location—it is a symbol of continuity between past, present, and future. It reminds us that technological progress must remain deeply rooted in human values: wisdom, collaboration, and respect. By hosting the Humanoid Olympiad in Olympia, we honor the birthplace of the Olympic spirit while inspiring a new generation to imagine what humans and humanoid robots can achieve together.
Is International Olympic Academy or the International Olympic Committee Involved in the Organization of the Event?
Absolutely no. The International Olympic Academy is just the venue of the event. The event is organized by Acumino and Endeavor Greece.
Will it be Similar to the World Humanoid Robot Games?
This event will have different scope and size at least in its first iteration that is why we have used the term “international” instead of “world”. Our focus is on providing much more technical content inviting expert speakers and organizing workshops. Demos, exhibitions, and games supplement the talks and workshops, demonstrating the capabilities of humanoid robots in the same grounds that human athletes first tested their limits.
Games will be in the form of selected athletic demonstrations that will the dexterity and agility of robots. Games will be tailored to the capabilities of the participating humanoids. This first year we will not have proper competitive games and medals. Participation is what counts not winning.