Nigeria celebrates Olympic Day on June 28, NOC leads across nation
Nigeria Olympic Committee
Nigeria celebrates Olympic Day on June 28, NOC leads across nation
‘… is about uniting people through sport.’
The Nigeria Olympic Committee will lead the national celebration of Olympic Day on Saturday, June 28, across various states, as the country joins the global movement to commemorate the founding of the modern Olympic movement.
This year’s event, organised in collaboration with the Nigeria Sport For All Commission, is set to feature a range of activities encouraging Nigerians of all ages and abilities to embrace physical fitness and the Olympic values of excellence, friendship, and respect.
Olympic Day is observed annually to mark the establishment of the modern Olympic Movement by French nobleman Pierre de Coubertin in 1894.
The day offers an opportunity for people to experience the spirit of the Games within their communities, with a focus on participation rather than competition.
In Lagos, which houses the NOC headquarters, a series of fitness-centred activities have been lined up, including aerobic sessions, jogging, recreational exhibitions, and demonstration events.
Similar programmes are expected to hold across the country, with several states already confirming their participation.
According to the NOC, the day is more than symbolic as it seeks to reinforce the health benefits of regular physical activity such as jogging and walking, which help burn calories, tone muscles, reduce stress, and promote mental well-being.
“The Olympic Day celebration is a mass-oriented fitness initiative. It’s about getting Nigerians moving, staying healthy, and living the Olympic spirit,” said Dr Abdul Ibrahim, Chairman of the NOC Sport For All Commission.
Ibrahim also urged state sports councils and commissions to take ownership of the event and mobilise their communities for active participation.
In addition to promoting physical activity, this year’s edition will conclude with the presentation of official Olympic Day diplomas signed by the President of the International Olympic Committee, adding a formal recognition to the participants’ efforts.
The NOC has also called on corporate organisations and philanthropic individuals to support the celebration through financial assistance or product donations, noting that such contributions offer valuable visibility for sponsors while backing a national cause.
“Olympic Day is about uniting people through sport, and we’re encouraged by the positive response we’ve received from states so far,” said Tony Nezianya, NOC’s Public Relations Officer.
