(ATR) June 23 marks the 67 international Olympic Day since its inception in 1948. Children from all over the world are encouraged to get active and learn about the Olympic spirit.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) sets out three pillars for Olympic Day: move, learn and discover. These pillars seek to promote the fitness and education of young people through Olympic related activities.
In the United States, over 1,000 organizations have registered with the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) to host events for Olympic Day. The USOC offers a variety of event ideas for hosts, including 5k races and fun runs, mini-Olympics, obstacle courses, torch relays and day camps.
Often, these events are accompanied by Olympic medalists who offer advice and encouragement to children and try to get kids involved with sports.
One such event will take place in Indianapolis, Indiana and will be hosted by USA Gymnastics. Olympic champions in gymnastics, basketball and athletics will be at the event to encourage youth participation in sports. The event will also attempt to break a world record for the most handstands done at one time.
Although the official Olympic Day is June 23, many countries celebrate Olympic Day well before this date and the activities can last up to weeks instead of just one day. The USOC makes all of their Olympic Day celebrations fall between May 31 and July 1.
For Turkey, this was the 28th year celebrating Olympic Day, with the Turkish Olympic committee (TOC) reporting record-breaking participation. The TOC says 4,000 children were involved with the activities during the multi-week celebration, noting a 25 percent increase in schools and children ages nine to 12 participating.
Last week, IOC president Thomas Bach toured central Asia, stopping in Uzbekistan during the trip. While there, Bach bore witness to the country’s Olympic Day on June 16 and saw sporting demonstrations of fencing, gymnastics, taekwondo and karate.
Hopeful host for the 2022 Winter Olympics Almaty, Kazakhstan celebrated their Olympic Day on May 26. Approximately three million people took part in the activities, including 250,000 participating in cycling marathons and other sporting events hosted by the national Olympic committee (NOC) to support their country’s bid for the Olympics.
Great Britain, host of the 2012 Summer Games, is inviting people of all ages to celebrate the day with old-school sports. Team Great Britain will award prizes to those who send them the best photos and videos of themselves participating in sack, three-legged and egg-and-spoon races and other retro sporting events.
Lausanne, Switzerland will not only celebrate Olympic Day this week, they will also be celebrating their 100 year of being the home to the IOC. The IOC and the city of Lausanne have planned a three-day celebration over the weekend to commemorate the occasion.
Written by Kevin Nutley
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