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Get ready to celebrate the spirit of athleticism and global unity on International Olympic Day on June 23! This special day was first introduced in 1948 by the International Olympic Committee as a way to commemorate the birth of the modern Olympic Games. Since then, it has become an annual celebration of sportsmanship, perseverance, and cultural diversity. On this day, people from all around the world come together to participate in various sporting events and activities, promoting peace and understanding through friendly competition. So let's join in on the fun and honor the Olympic values of excellence, respect, and friendship!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1894</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Founding of IOC</div><div class='timeline-text'>The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is founded by Pierre de Coubertin to reinstate the Olympic Games.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1896</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Modern Olympics</div><div class='timeline-text'>The first Modern Olympic Games takes place in Athens, Greece, featuring athletes from 14 countries.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1924</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Inaugural Winter Olympics</div><div class='timeline-text'>The first Winter Olympic Games are held in Chamonix, France, acknowledging the popularity of winter sports.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1948</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>International Olympic Day Instituted</div><div class='timeline-text'>The IOC introduces International Olympic Day on June 23 to commemorate the establishment of the Modern Olympic Games.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1994</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Summer and Winter Games Split</div><div class='timeline-text'>IOC decides to hold the Winter and Summer Olympics in different four year cycles, beginning in 1994 with the Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2016</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Refugee Olympic Team Introduced</div><div class='timeline-text'>The IOC creates the Refugee Olympic Team for the Rio Games, affirming the power of sport to bring people together.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host an Olympic-themed party</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Invite some friends over and have an Olympic-themed party! Decorate with the five Olympic rings, serve foods from different countries, and have your own mini Olympics with games like "pin the medal on the athlete" and a relay race.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Watch old Olympic footage</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather some friends or family and watch old footage of past Olympic games. This is a great way to relive some of the most iconic moments in Olympic history and get excited for future games.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Try a new sport</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>In the spirit of the Olympics, challenge yourself to try a new sport or physical activity. It could be something as simple as playing a game of basketball with friends or taking a dance class. Get out of your comfort zone and have fun!</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Learn about a different culture</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>The Olympics bring together athletes and cultures from all over the world. Take this opportunity to learn about a different country's customs, traditions, and history. You can even try cooking a dish from that country to fully immerse yourself in the experience.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Volunteer for a sports event</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Get involved in your local sports community by volunteering for a sports event. You could help set up for a marathon, assist with a youth sports tournament, or be a timer at a swim meet. This is a great way to support athletes and feel connected to the Olympic spirit.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It celebrates the spirit of competition and sportsmanship</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>International Olympic Day is a celebration of the Olympic values of friendship, respect, and excellence. It's a day to recognize and honor the athletes who inspire us with their dedication and determination, as well as the importance of fair play and goodwill among nations.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It promotes physical activity and healthy lifestyles</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>The Olympics are a global symbol of athleticism, encouraging people of all ages to get active and pursue their physical goals. By celebrating International Olympic Day, we are reminded of the importance of staying active and leading healthy lifestyles.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It brings the world together in unity</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>The Olympics bring together different cultures, backgrounds, and beliefs in peaceful competition. International Olympic Day reminds us that despite our differences, we can come together through the universal language of sports to celebrate our shared humanity.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Original Olympics Didn’t Just Include Sports</h3><p class='facts-content'>In ancient Greece, the Olympics included sports as well as cultural showcases like poetry readings and musical performances to celebrate both physical and intellectual prowess.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Olympic Medals were Originally Made of Solid Gold</h3><p class='facts-content'>Until 1912, Olympic gold medals were made entirely out of gold. Today, they are made mostly from silver with a gold plating.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympics, Originally Proposed a Pentathlon</h3><p class='facts-content'>Pierre de Coubertin thought an event combining fencing, shooting, equestrianism, swimming, and athletics would be ideal to showcase an all-around athlete.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Five Rings on the Olympic Flag have Meaning</h3><p class='facts-content'>Each ring represents one of the five continents involved in the Olympics: Africa, Americas (North and South considered as one continent), Asia, Europe and Oceania.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>An Olympic Gold Medalist Inspired the Modern Paralympic Movement</h3><p class='facts-content'>After a spinal cord injury, Hungarian fencer, Dr. Ferenc Puskás, started a rehabilitation program which later morphed into the modern Paralympic Games.</p></div></div>
International Olympic Day is celebrated on June 23 every year. In 2024 International Olympic Day will occur on a Sunday.
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2024
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2025
Jun 23
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2026
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