The International Olympic Day is annually observed across the globe on 23rd June to promote the Olympic movement. The day commemorates the creation of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on 23rd June 1894 in Paris, France.
Background:
i.The proposal for the celebration of the World Olympic Day was presented by Doctor Gruss, IOC member in Czechoslovakia during the 41st Session of the International Olympic Committee in Stockholm in 1947.
ii.The idea of an Olympic Day was approved at the 42nd Session of the International Olympic Committee(IOC) held in January 1948 in St Moritz, Switzerland.
iii.The first Olympic Day was celebrated on 23 June 1948 with a total of 9 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) hosting the ceremonies in their countries – Austria, Belgium, Canada, Great Britain, Greece, Portugal, Switzerland, Uruguay and Venezuela.
Significance of Olympic Day:
i.The Olympic Day is based on the 3 pillars: “move”, “learn” and “discover”.
ii.The NOCs across the globe are deploying sports, cultural and educational activities with a focus on everyone regardless of age, gender, social background and sporting ability.
Events 2021:
i.The IOC has Launched the #StrongerTogether, a global campaign to celebrate the Olympic Heroes and highlight the message of hope and solidarity on Olympic Day.
ii.The campaign was designed to enhance the excitement of the upcoming Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.
iii.The NOC across the globe has undertaken various digital initiatives like webinars, online workouts, virtual chats with Olympians and virtual Olympic challenges.
Annual Events:
i.The Olympic Day celebration is associated with the Olympic Day Runs organised across the world. The Olympic Day Run was launched in 1987 to encourage all the NOC’s to celebrate Olympic Day.
ii.At present around 150 NOC organises the Olympic Day Run events.
About International Olympic Committee(IOC):
President– Dr. Thomas Bach(Germany)
Headquarters– Lausanne, Switzerland
