International Olympic Day is annually celebrated across the world on 23rd June for the celebration of sport, health, and being together. This day marks the founding day of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at the Sorbonne, Paris on June 23, 1894, when ancient Greek Olympics were revived by the efforts of French historian Baron Pierre de Coubertin.
- The theme for International Olympic Day 2023 is ‘Let’s Move’ which emphasises daily physical activity to people around the world. #Letsmove and #OlympicDay are the hashtags for this year’s celebration.
Background:
i.The proposal for observing Olympic Day was presented at the 41st Session of the IOC in Stockholm, in 1947, by IOC member Doctor Josef Gruss Czech.
ii.During the 42nd IOC session in 1948 in St Moritz, Switzerland, the IOC adopted the resolution to celebrate the International Day of Olympics annually from 1948.
- The first International Olympic Day was celebrated on 23 June 1948 by 9 countries: Portugal, Greece, Austria, Canada, Switzerland, Great Britain, Uruguay, Venezuela and Belgium in their respective countries.
Olympic Charter:
i.For the first time, the 1978 edition of the Olympic Charter recommended all the NOCs to organise an Olympic Day to promote the Olympic Movement.
ii.The current Olympic charter recommends the NOC to regularly organise (if possible each year) an Olympic Day or Week to promote the Olympic Movement.
Events in 2023 International Olympic Day:
In 2023, around 130 NOCs are hosting Olympic Day Celebrations in their respective territories.
ii.On the occasion of International Olympic Day 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) and IOC Jointly launched the Let’s Move campaign on 23rd June 2023.
- As part of the campaign, digital invitation were released from Olympians Allyson Felix, Pau Gasol, PV Sindhu, Yusra Mardini to schedule 30 minutes for digital workout on 23rd June 2023 with them.
Olympic Day Run:
i.National Olympic Committees (NOCs) have organised Olympic Day runs annually across the world since 1987 to celebrate Olympic Day and promote the practice of mass sport.
ii.The first Olympic day Run was celebrated by 45 NOCs in 1987.
- 2023 marks the 37th Olympic Day Run
About International Olympic Committee (IOC):
President – Thomas Bach
Headquarters – Lausanne, Switzerland