In 1947, Doctor Gruss, an International Olympic Committee member in Czechoslovakia, presented a report in the 41st Session of the International Olympic Committee in Stockholm and proposed to observe a day to celebrate Olympic Day. One year later in 1948, the organizing committee finally decided June 23 as the International Olympic Day to honour the International Olympic Committee’s foundation at the Sorbonne, Paris.
The first Olympic Day was celebrated in the year 1948. The day was proposed to promote the Olympic idea and encourage more and more participation in the games.
Significance and celebrations
The day is important as it aims to attract people, regardless of their age, towards the Olympics. Its three pillars are move, learn and discover which is aimed at engaging people to perform physical exercises.
The Olympic Day Run has been organised on the International Olympic Day in 150 countries by the National Olympic Committees (NOCs) for the last 20 years. Along with the run, new activities are organised every year which includes celebrating the day at school and meeting top athletes.
People are also informed about other activities in their neighbourhood to promote their participation on Olympic Day.