The International Olympic Committee (IOC) celebrated the 2024 Olympic Day two days early at the Olympic House on Friday and the IOC President Thomas Bach invited the world to join IOC's "Let's Move" campaign.
"This year's Olympic Day is a very special one, taking place just ahead of Paris 2024. The athletes, the fans and the entire Olympic community around the world are all looking forward to Olympic Games that are younger, more inclusive, more urban, and more sustainable. These are the very first Olympic Games with full gender parity, the very first Olympic Games aligned with the reforms of Olympic Agenda from start to finish. They will be followed by more than half of the entire world's population," Bach said.
Olympic Day takes place on June 23 each year to commemorate the day the IOC was founded in 1894 by Pierre de Coubertin. This year's Olympic Day theme, Let's Move and Celebrate, aims to ignite a collective passion for the Paris 2024 by encouraging people to get active and feel connected through sport.
"In these difficult times we are living through, people are longing for something which brings us finally together. We are longing for something that gives us hope. This is why the world is looking forward to these Olympic Games as a moment of togetherness, a moment of joy, a moment of hope, a moment of solidarity, a moment of peace on this very special day," Bach said.
There will be the traditional Olympic Day run in Lausanne and many National Olympic Committees will celebrate together on June 23.