National Olympic Day Celebrations
This year, the National Olympic Committee of Zambia partnered with Play it Forward and Response Network to host the Olympic Day celebrations on the 25th of June 2022 in Livingstone.
Sport’s unique power to build bridges and bring people together, which is evident during each edition of the Olympic Games, is being celebrated this year on Olympic Day through the theme “Together for a more peaceful world”.
Since then, the International Olympic Day or World Olympic Day is observed every year on June 23 and it’s a celebration of sport, health, and being together. The day provides a moment for everyone to gather and get active with purpose.
The Olympic Day Run can be considered as the core activity of Olympic Day. First launched in 1987, it has been organised by NOCs around the world to celebrate Olympic Day and promote the practice of mass sport.
The celebrations attracted over 300 children and youths in Livingstone who took part in various cultural and sporting activities including a 7km run. The event was grace by the Deputy mayor Mr. John Banda who emphasised this year’s theme, “Together, For a Peaceful World, as a reminder to keep the harmony among the different tribes, religion and culture in Zambia.”
He continued, “in such divisive and confrontational times, people are longing for a unifying force that brings humankind together and sport offers that opportunity.”
National Olympic Academy member, Mr. Likando Nangonde added that, “the need for solidarity and peace firmly remains the guiding principle of the Olympic Movement, reiterating that without solidarity, peace is aimless.”
The Olympic day is an opportunity to celebrate the Olympic movement, reflect and reinforce the Olympic values of friendship, excellence, respect, fair play, joy of excellence and balance body, mind and will.
Let us continue to move for peace!