On the occasion of Olympic Day 2026, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry is inviting people around the world to take “the first step” towards a more active life through sport and physical activity.
In a message released on the eve of World Olympic Day, June 23, President Coventry encouraged everyone to adopt a regular physical activity routine, highlighting the theme of the IOC’s global “Let’s Move” campaign, entitled this year “You Can Do This.” According to the IOC, this initiative aims in particular to help young people overcome their doubts and build their self-confidence through sport and movement.
“Sport gets us moving. Not just our bodies, but also our self-confidence, our mindset, and our ability to connect,” the IOC President said. Coventry reminded everyone that “the first step is always the hardest,” while encouraging everyone to find their own way to engage in physical activity, regardless of their current fitness level. Originally launched in 2022 by the IOC in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), the “Let’s Move” campaign aims to actively combat sedentary lifestyles through community initiatives and local awareness programs.
Celebrated annually on June 23, Olympic Day commemorates the creation of the modern Olympic Movement in 1894. On this day, National Olympic Committees, sports federations, and numerous organizations within the Olympic Movement organize diverse sporting and community activities around the world. The urgency of the campaign is underscored by data from the IOC, which emphasizes that nearly one-third of adults and four out of five young people do not meet the levels of physical activity recommended by the WHO. For Kirsty Coventry, the challenge remains to make sport accessible to all, regardless of age, background, or skill level. “There is no right or wrong way to start,” she insisted, calling on everyone to join this global mobilization in support of movement, health, and well-being.
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