Tens of thousands of Slovaks proved once again that sport and Olympic values are deeply ingrained in their culture. Nearly 50,000 enthusiasts of all ages participated in the Olympic Day celebrations this June. The Olympic Day project has become the largest sport-for-all event in Slovakia.
This year, the Olympic Day activities were closely connected with the “Our Colours, Our Hearts” relay, which is carrying the Olympic message across Slovakia ahead of the upcoming Olympic Games Paris 2024. The relay will culminate in the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Festival on 26 July. Olympic Day 2024 was further proof that sport has the power to unite and inspire and that the Olympic values are alive and well in Slovakia.
Olympic Day was not only a celebration of sport but also a motivation for a healthy and active lifestyle. In the spirit of the main motto “Let’s Move!”, kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, regional Olympic clubs, sports clubs, and local communities joined the celebrations and organised dozens of events with a unique atmosphere.
Organisers registered up to 218 events on the website of the Slovak Olympic and Sports Committee (SOSC). These events attracted nearly 50,000 participants, who took part in a variety of sporting activities, from running races to sports games and educational programmes on Olympic values.
“Let’s Move!” challenged everyone to spend more time moving and taking care of their health. Many of the events to celebrate Olympic Day were aimed at children and young people, and it is the younger generation that has shown a greater interest in sport. Through the “Our Colours, Our Hearts” relay, they in turn linked up with the Slovakian Olympians who will be competing in the upcoming Olympic Games Paris 2024. In addition to the official events, dozens of unregistered school Olympiads and competitions were held in June, which also promoted exercise and a healthy lifestyle, said Ivana Motolíková, the SOSC director of the Department of Olympism.
One of the highlights of the Olympic Day celebrations was the event at Kuchajda, Bratislava, organised by the SOSC in cooperation with the Bratislava-Nové Mesto Municipal District. This event, which took place on 21 June, was not only a celebration of sport but also an invitation to the upcoming Olympic Festival, which will take place from 26 July to 11 August 2024.
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