Analysis of Practices of Moscow Pupil's Involvement in the Olympiad Movement

In Russia, the number of school children participating in the olympiad movement is increasing each year. This indicates that they participate in at least one olympiad per academic year. Nevertheless, there are few studies dedicated to investigating ways to engage school children in olympiads. Russian sociologists Chernenko and Romanenko conducted research on this issue, focusing on practices to engage school children in olympiads and the role of schools and families in preparation for olympic events. Their study examined the role of schools in promoting olympic activities and briefly explored the role of families in student preparation for the olympics. The study was based on the experiences of students from various regions, exept Moscow. This research attempts to further their understanding of the subject through a study of the experiences of Moscow schoolchildren with extensive experience in preparing for olympiad events.To this end, in-depth interviews were conducted with students in grades 10 and 11 who had been actively involved in Olympic preparations for a significant period of time. The interviews allowed us to ascertain that Moscow has an established system for preparing for the school competitions. This system facilitates students' ability to effectively prepare for olympiads, either independently or with the assistance of schools, centers of pedagogical excellence, or private education organizations. Preparation for olympiads has become an essential component of the school experience, as outlined in this study. Additionally, this paper explores the motivations that drive students to participate in olympiads and continue their involvement.