Today , two-thousand New Zealand students from schools all over New Zealand will participate in the Olympic Day Run. Four New Zealand Olympians will also be present at school runs in Auckland, Wellington and Woodville. The run, held annually in more than 200 countries, encourages people all over the world to come together, move together, and learn about the Olympic Values.
Olympic Day has a strong youth focus, and this is an especially important year for Olympic Day as the first ever Youth Olympic Games will be held in Singapore, 14 26 August.
In addition to the Olympic Day run, Olympians all around New Zealand will be gathering this week in five locations to celebrate their achievements, and many will be receiving their commemorative Olympic pins and certificates from the New Zealand Olympic Committee. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games and the 50th anniversary of the 1960 Rome Olympic Games. In Wellington, Parliament will be observing Olympic Day by flying the Olympic flag.
New Zealand Olympic Committee secretary general Barry Maister said the value of sport is highlighted during events such as the Football World Cup and the Olympic Games. "It is wonderful to see so many kids excited by the World Cup and out and about being active, healthy, mixing with friends and celebrating the success of the All Whites. These are the values we celebrate during Olympic Week."
Olympic Day is a day where people from the different nations of the world can join together and celebrate the birth and spirit of the Olympic Movement. IOC President Jacques Rogge said that, Olympic Day is a moment to stop and reflect on the great gifts that sport gives us all. The New Zealand Olympic Committee is dedicated to promoting the Olympic Movement and Values throughout New Zealand.
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To find out more about the NZOC please visit www.olympic.org.nz or contact Ashley Abbott 021 552 021
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