Excellence, friendship and respect – let’s celebrate the Olympic Day!
Olympic Games, as the biggest sporting event in the world, attract millions of people to follow their happenings on the sporting arenas every two years during the winter and summer time.
However, it is not only about competition. Annual events celebrating the Olympic Day at the end of June encourage people to take part in sporting activities and to find out about their benefits and learn values such as excellence, friendship and respect.
According to the official figures most of adults in the UK, which is 52.3%, did not undertake any sporting activities in 2012/2013. That is why the legacy of the Olympics becomes so important.
“The Olympics just bring sports in the forefront of people’s minds,” said Chloe Morley, Talent Pathways Manager at Derbyshire Sport during last year’s School Olympics in Derby.
The Olympic Day was established in 1948 with an aim to commemorate the birth of the modern Olympics and the International Olympic Committee. At first only nine countries, such as Austria, Belgium, Canada, Great Britain, Greece, Portugal, Switzerland, Uruguay and Venezuela took part.
Last year’s edition of the event attracted 4 million participants worldwide. This year’s 65th edition involves the whole world with various activities, such as school events, concerts, exhibitions, meetings with athletes or runs.
You can read more about event’s history here.
If you are as crazy about the Olympics as I am (even having the Olympic rings tatooed on my leg) or you simply enjoy sports you can celebrate the event in many different ways.
National Olympic Committees organize various events in almost all the countries around the world. These are only some examples:
GREAT BRITAIN:
London (24th June) – details to be announced;
Kent (22nd June) – the Ulcombe CE Primary School organizes an event for kids, who are going to compete in the three houses Sports Day Trophy. Some other activities and refreshments will be provided;
POLAND:
Przelewice (21st June) – a series of eight runs on 1000m, 3000m, nordic walking for 3700m and disabled run. It will be possible to meet some olympic athletes;
RUSSIA:
Moscow (29th June) – the next Winter Olympics host country will organize one of its events in the capital. The venue will be the Central Park of Culture and Leisure, Gorky. There will be a chance to meet some legendary Russian athletes, take part in “Olympic mile” race dedicated to Sochi Games, enjoy various sports and concerts, as well as take a look at demonstrations featuring winter sports adapted to summer conditions.
AUSTRIA:
Vienna (22nd June) – the organizers in Vienna prepared something extremely exciting for the Olympic fans who will be presented with a possibility of winning a trip to Sochi Olympics through competing in three different sports. The best one wins. Apart from that there will be a chance to see the likes of Marcel Hirscher, Gregor Schlierenzauer or Michaela Kirchgasser .
CHECH REPUBLIC:
Prague (26th June) – the capital is among 15 cities across the country, which got involved into the organization of the Olympic Day. It will host two slots of runs – the morning one for children and the evening one for adults.
These are only some examples of what is organized in Europe. Click on the map to see the full list of events:
Whatever you do, even if it is only amongst family or friends, take a picture, upload it to the Olympic Games app before 23th June and you might be chosen by the IOC to attend the inauguration of the new Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland at the end of this year.
This year’s celebrations seem to be very exciting. What are you guys up to? 🙂
