What began as the revival of a beloved tradition has quickly become one of Robert College’s signature community events. From friendly competition and lifelong friendships to the debut of Virtual Everesting, RC Olympics 2026 brought generations of the RC family together, on campus and around the world.
The ringing of the Robert College bell by Head of School Whitman Shepard officially opened RC Olympics 2026, setting the stage for a day of competition, camaraderie, and community. Before long, Mr. Shepard had traded the podium for the table tennis court, joining the tournament himself and proving that RC Olympics is about participation as much as competition.
More than 800 alumni, students, faculty, staff, parents, families, and friends gathered on campus for the second edition of RC Olympics – Everest and Beyond, transforming Robert College into a vibrant celebration of sport, friendship, and giving back. Building on the success of its inaugural year, RC Olympics returned larger than ever, welcoming nearly twice as many participants and firmly establishing itself as one of the Robert College community’s newest traditions.
A Campus Alive with Community
Throughout the day, basketball, football, volleyball, and table tennis tournaments filled the courts with friendly competition, while yoga sessions, walking activities, children’s games, music, and food created a festive atmosphere enjoyed by all generations.
Some alumni returned to campus for the first time in decades. Others reunited with classmates they had not seen for years, while many met fellow alumni for the very first time. Students competed alongside graduates, faculty cheered from the sidelines, families explored the campus together, and volunteers worked tirelessly behind the scenes. Everywhere you looked, the day was filled with laughter, encouragement, and the unmistakable feeling of belonging that defines the Robert College community.
Beyond the competitions themselves, RC Olympics has become much greater than a sporting event. It has become an opportunity for the entire RC family to reconnect, celebrate, and create new memories together.
Everesting Reaches New Heights
One of the day’s defining experiences was once again Everesting, the endurance challenge that is rapidly becoming an RC legacy.
Originally conceived by Ahmet Uysal RC 90, the challenge invites teams to repeatedly climb the campus hill in pursuit of ambitious elevation goals, relying on teamwork, perseverance, and encouragement rather than individual achievement alone.
This year, ten teams embraced the challenge with extraordinary determination. Every ascent became a shared accomplishment as teammates encouraged one another to keep climbing. At the end of the day, İstanbul Ruck Squad emerged as Everesting Champion, but every participant embodied the spirit that has made the challenge one of RC Olympics’ most beloved traditions.
From the RC Hill to the World Just when it seemed Everesting could not grow any further, it did.
One of the most exciting innovations of RC Olympics 2026 was the launch of Virtual Everesting, a brilliant initiative developed by Ahmet Uysal RC 90 and Ozan Başeğmez RC 90 that enabled alumni to participate from anywhere in the world.
The first virtual team, RC 90 World, led the way, bringing together classmates climbing from San Francisco, Florida, Basel, Madrid, Riyadh, Baku, and İstanbul. Inspired by the success of the initiative, two additional teams from the Class of RC 89, driven by the enthusiasm and leadership of Zümrüt Alp Yalman RC 89, also joined the challenge.
Rather than climbing together on campus, participants selected routes in their own cities, completed their ascents individually, and contributed every climb toward their team’s collective goal. Although separated by thousands of kilometres, they shared the same determination, the same teamwork, and the same Robert College spirit.
The inaugural Virtual Everesting Championship was won by RC 90 World, while every virtual participant received a commemorativecertificate recognizing them as pioneers of what promises to become one of RC Olympics’ defining traditions.
Virtual Everesting demonstrated something remarkable: wherever Robert College alumni may live, they remain part of one community. We hope alumni groups around the world are already planning—and training—for next year’s challenge.
Competition, Camaraderie, and Giving Back
The excitement extended across every competition. Basketball, football, volleyball, and table tennis all attracted record participation, with alumni and students competing side by side in a spirit of sportsmanship and friendly rivalry.
Table tennis champion Aykut Cem Safoğlu RC 89 claimed victory after defeating a highly competitive field that included Head of School Whitman Shepard himself. RC 22 celebrated championships in both basketball and football, while students impressed across several competitions, particularly on the football field.
Yet perhaps the most meaningful achievement of the day extended beyond medals and trophies.
Every registration, sponsorship, and donation supported the Robert College Scholarship Fund, and together our community raised $60,000, helping ensure that talented students will continue to benefit from a Robert College education for generations to come.
Already Looking Ahead
An event of this scale is only possible through collaboration. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our alumni volunteers, organizing committee, sponsors, faculty, staff, students, families, and every member of the RC community who participated, cheered on the athletes, joined us virtually from around the world, or contributed in any way to bringing RC Olympics to life.
We are especially grateful to our alumni sponsors and contributors, whose generosity supported both the event and the Robert College Scholarship Fund, helping us raise $60,000 to provide life-changing educational opportunities for future
generations of Robert College students. As the campus gradually grew quiet once again, one thing had become unmistakably clear. RC Olympics is no longer simply a sporting event. It has become one of the defining annual celebrations of the Robert College community—a tradition that brings generations together, strengthens lifelong friendships, supports future students, and now reaches far beyond the Robert College campus.
From one hill in Arnavutköy to cities across the globe, the Robert College community climbed higher together. And this is only the beginning.
We look forward to welcoming you back to campus for RC Olympics 2027 on Sunday, May 30, 2027. Save the date!
