World Olympic Day: History, Significance, Objectives, Theme, Quotes

World Olympic Day: History, Significance, Objectives, Theme, Banners

World Olympic Day: It is celebrated on 23rd June to commemorate the day when the International Olympic Committee was founded in 1894. Let us have a look at its history, objectives and quotes.

World Olympic Day: The objective of the day is to promote sports and spread the message to make sports an integral part of life. On 23 June 1948, the first Olympic Day was celebrated. The countries of Portugal, Greece, Austria, Canada, Venezuela, and Belgium, organized an Olympic day in their respective countries.

Olympic Day was introduced in 1948 to commemorate the birth of the modern Olympic Games on 23 June 1894 at the Sorbonne in Paris. So the first Olympic Day was celebrated on 23 June 1948 by 9 National Olympic Committees (NOC).

World Olympic Day is observed on 23rd June all around the world by hundreds of thousands of people (old and young) participate in sports activities, such as runs, exhibitions, music, and educational seminars.

  • International Olympic Committee  Headquarters: Lausanne, Switzerland
  • International Olympic Committee  President: Thomas Bach
  • International Olympic Committee  Founded: 23 June 1894, Paris, France
  • International Olympic Committee  Director General: Christophe De Kepper
  • International Olympic Committee  Founders: Pierre de Coubertin, D. Bikélas
  • International Olympic Committee  Official language: French

World Olympic Day: History

On 23 June 1894, delegates from 12 countries gathered at the Sorbonne (Paris), to support “Pierre de Coubertin’s” proposal to revive the Olympic Games. This marked the birth of the modern Olympic Movement and the foundation of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Olympic Day is based on the three pillars;

  1. Move
  2. Learn
  3. Discover

Let’s explain these pillars in details:

Move:

  • “Move” refers to all sorts of physical activity for people of all ages and abilities. Olympic Day Run, individual and team sports are part of it. So move is an appeal to the mass to do physical activities and be active on Olympic Day.

Learn:

  • It refers to learn the lesson of humanity, education, HIV prevention, checking human trafficking, women empowerment, health awareness, environmental protection, peacebuilding, local community development, friendship, and respect of all human beings.

Discover:

  • It is all about inviting and encouraging people to try new sports and activities that they have never done before.

It is also an opportunity to introduce themselves to sports which they may not have easy access to or are lesser popular in their region.

World Olympic Day: Objectives

The goal of World Olympic Day is to promote participation in different sports throughout the world without any discrimination of gender, age, and athletic ability. This day was started to increase awareness about health and sports among the general public through various methods.

World Olympic Day is nowadays developing into much more than just a sports event. The importance of this day increases many folds because the problem of obesity is increasing very rapidly in the world.

On one hand, an estimated 160 million Americans are either obese or overweight. Nearly 65% of American men and more than 60% of women are obese or overweight while nearly 30% of boys and girls under age 20 are either obese or overweight in the USA.

On the other hand, new data presented in the joint UN report 2019, indicates that 237 million people in sub-Saharan Africa are suffering from chronic undernutrition.

So World Olympic Day is not confined to sports activities but a serious international effort to promote fitness and well-being in addition to the Olympic ideals of Fair Play, solidarity, Respect, and Sportsmanship across the globe.

Significance:

International Olympic Day holds immense significance as it serves as a platform to celebrate the values of sportsmanship, unity, and fair play. It promotes the idea that through sports, individuals can overcome barriers, foster understanding, and work towards a common goal. By participating in International Olympic Day activities, individuals contribute to a global movement that encourages physical activity, healthy living, and the pursuit of excellence. This day also serves as a reminder of the power of sports to inspire and bring people together, transcending cultural, social, and political differences.

At its core, International Olympic Day emphasizes the importance of physical fitness and healthy living. Through various activities such as fun runs, sports events, and educational workshops, this day encourages individuals to lead active and fulfilling lives. By participating in these activities, people not only contribute to their own well-being but also inspire others to embrace a healthier lifestyle.

Theme:

  • 2024: Let’s Move and Celebrate
  • 2023: Let’s Move
  • 2022: Together, For a Peaceful World
  • 2021: Stay healthy, stay strong, stay active with the Olympic Day workout on June 23

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World Olympic Day: Quotes

  • We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline, and effort. ~ Jesse Owens
  • Focus, discipline, hard work, goal setting and, of course, the thrill of finally achieving your goals. These are all lessons of life. ~ Kristi Yamaguchi
  • The hard days are the best because that’s where champions are made. ~ Gabby Douglas
  • If you dream and allow yourself to dream, you can do anything. ~ Clara Hughes
  • This ability to conquer oneself is no doubt the most precious of all things sports bestows. ~ Olga Korbut
  • It’s not about winning at the Olympic Games. It’s about trying to win. The motto is faster, higher, stronger, not fastest, highest, strongest. Sometimes it’s the trying that matters. ~ Bronte Barratt
  • The key is not the will to win. Everybody has that. It is the will to prepare to win that is important. ~ Bobby Knight
  • To win, you have to risk loss. ~ Jean-Claude Killy
  • Gold medals aren’t really made of gold. They’re made of sweat, determination, and a hard-to-find alloy called guts. ~ Dan Gable
  • You can’t put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the farther you get. ~ Michael Phelps

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