Iceland - Physical activity factsheet (2019)

Success story

The National Olympic and Sports Association of Iceland (ÍSÍ) is the supreme authority for voluntary practice of sports in Iceland. Close to 30% of Iceland's population and close to 80% of all 12-year-old children are members of sports clubs.

Participation in organized sports has proven to be an important protective factor against risk-taking behaviour in Icelandic youth. Annually, ÍSÍ runs national sport-for-all campaigns, promoting health-enhancing physical activity, i.e. Cycle to work, the Life Run, the Women’s run and Walk to School.

In 2014, ÍSÍ was awarded the Nordic Public Health Prize for its important contribution to the promotion of physical activity and health of Icelanders.