World Olympic Day 2020
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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.
Commemorating the birth of the modern Olympic Games, Olympic Day is not only a celebration but an international effort to promote fitness and well-being in addition to the Olympic ideals of Fair Play, Perseverance, Respect, and Sportsmanship.
The first Olympic Day was celebrated on 23 June 1948. On this occasion, Sigfrid Edström, IOC President at that time, conveyed a message to the young people of the world. Portugal, Greece, Austria, Canada, Switzerland, Great Britain, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Belgium organised an Olympic Day in their respective countries.
History
Olympic Day was introduced in 1948 to commemorate the birth of the modern Olympic Games on 23 June 1894 at the Sorbonne in Paris. The goal was to promote participation in sport across the globe regardless of age, gender, or athletic ability.
Over the last 20 years, Olympic Day has been associated with Olympic Day Runs all over the world. First launched in 1987, the run was about encouraging all National Olympic Committees (NOCs) to celebrate Olympic Day and promoting the practice of a mass sport. From 45 participating NOCs in the first edition in 1987, the numbers have grown to more than a hundred participating NOCs.
Olympic Games Tokyo 2020
The global COVID-19 pandemic postponed this Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 and since the worldwide lockdown, the Olympic athletes have shared their daily workouts online in connection to IOC’s #StayStrong, #StayActive, #StayHealthy campaign. The Olympic Day 2020 takes this campaign even further with a 24-hour online workout.
Olympic Day is based on three pillars:
1. Move
2. Learn
3. Discover
Through these messages, sports organisations today are promoting the benefits of physical exercise, inspiring people to get active, and enabling them to discover new sports while embracing the Olympic ideals regardless of ability or background.
