International Olympic Day 2020: How athletes are celebrating and everything you need to know

International Olympic Day or World Olympic Day sees Olympians, athletes and fans from all over the world come together to promote the improvement of health through sport. Celebrated annually on 23 June, International Olympic Day 2020 is seeing World Health Organisation (WHO) work alongside with IOC advocating for everyone to #BeActive in their daily routines. The day also commemorates the foundation of the International Olympic Committee on 23 June 1894. In January 1948 at its 42nd Session in Switzerland, the IOC approved the idea of an Olympic Day. The first-ever Olympic Day was held on 23 June 1948, with a total of nine NOCs hosting ceremonies in Austria, Belgium, Canada, Great Britain, Greece, Portugal, Switzerland, Uruguay and Venezuela. A number of athletes and organisations took to social media to extend their greetings on International Olympic Day 2020. Saina Nehwal recalled a “special moment” when she achieved the bronze medal in 2012 Olympics. “It was always my and my parents dream from the day I joined badminton in 1999 .Hardwork , belief and some sacrifices made it possible,” she tweeted.

Very very very special moment in my career when I achieved the Olympic bronze medal in 2012 Olympics.. #London ..It was always my and my parents dream from the day I joined badminton 🏸 in 1999 .Hardwork , belief and some sacrifices made it possible ☺️❤️ ✌🏻 #OlympicDay2020 pic.twitter.com/ko7NJkUeAk

— Saina Nehwal (@NSaina) June 23, 2020

The first Indian woman to win a medal at the Olympics, Karnam Malleswari wished everyone on the day, writing, “May we sustain the spirit of Sport and unite the world in the true sense of Olympism.”

Wishing all a very Happy #OlympicDay ..May we sustain the spirit of Sport and unite the world in the true sense of Olympism.#InternationalOlympicDay pic.twitter.com/R1cMK06TSW

— Karnam Malleswari, OLY (@kmmalleswari) June 23, 2020

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Hockey India too posted on Twitter, writing, “today is a day for the world to make a ****, **** about Olympic values and ******** new sports,” before going on to wish everyone a safe and happy International Olympic Day.

Much more than just a sports event, today is a day for
the world to make a 𝗠𝗢𝗩𝗘, 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗡 about Olympic values and 𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗖𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥 new sports. 🏑⚽🏓🏀⛳🏈🥊🎾

Hockey India wishes everyone a safe and happy International #OlympicDay! 💙#IndiaKaGame pic.twitter.com/V45LH34fjQ

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) June 23, 2020

Shiva Keshavan, India’s first representative at the Winter Olympic Games and a six-time Olympian posted, “Olympism is… Calling out to all Olympians and sports enthusiasts to tweet about what Olympism is to you!”

Olympism is...
Calling out to all Olympians and sports enthusiasts to tweet about what Olympism is to you!#OlympicDay@KirenRijiju pic.twitter.com/2agTppX0yj

— Shiva Keshavan, OLY (@100thofasec) June 22, 2020

Indian gymnast Dipa Karmakar tweeted that Rio Olympics 2016 is closest to her heart.

Rio Olympics 2016. This one is closest to my heart! 🥰 #InternationalOlympicDay pic.twitter.com/vwd6T6ruZb

— Dipa Karmakar (@DipaKarmakar) June 23, 2020

Nova Peris, the first Aboriginal athlete to win Olympic gold posted, “I’m blessed to be a 2 x Olympian in different sports! #InternationalOlympicDay not only celebrates olympic values it’s a day for the world 2 get active! Let’s #BeActive in your daily routines! I’m playing A grade hockey still at 49.”

Today is #OlympicDay and I’m blessed 🙏🏾to be a 2 x Olympian in different sports! 🏑🏃🏾‍♀️💨 #InternationalOlympicDay not only celebrates olympic values it’s a day for the world 2 get active! Let’s #BeActive in your daily routines! I’m playing A grade hockey still at 49 👍🏾#novaperis pic.twitter.com/cjLRjfNDdr

— Nova Peris OAM OLY (@NovaPeris) June 23, 2020

Retired Australian track cyclist Anna Meares shared a throwback image from the last time she represented the country as she celebrated Olympic Day.

Happy #OlympicDay
This image is From the last time I represented Australia... on the start line in Rio. What great pride it gave me to wear the green and gold, to take you all on the ride with me #dreambig #thankful
📷 @amymccann31 pic.twitter.com/0lMG3bVwhS

— Anna Meares (@AnnaMeares) June 23, 2020

Director of Delhi United S.C. football club Shaji Prabhakaran wished everyone Happy Olympic Day and added, “Spread the values of Olympics and grow the participation in sports for the good of the World. Make sport a way of life.”

Happy #OlympicDay

Spread the values of Olympics and grow the participation in sports for the good of the World.

Make sport a way of life.

— Shaji Prabhakaran (@Shaji4Football) June 23, 2020

Five-time gold medalist at the Paralympic games, Evan O’Hanlon shared a lengthy post on Instagram highlighting why the day holds so much of importance for him. The athlete stated that growing up he always wanted to be an Olympian among other things.

Australian Olympic Gold medallist sprinter Sally Pearson wished her fans on the occasion as well.

Greatest feeling in the world (so far 😉🤰) Happy International Olympic Day 🥇@olympicchannel @Olympics @AUSOlympicTeam #InternationalOlympicDay #InternationalOlympicDay2020 #Olympics #OlympicChampion pic.twitter.com/6fbAgSsQ1U

— Sally Pearson OAM (@sallypearson) June 22, 2020