This year's edition of the manifestation that celebrates Olympism in Bosnia and Herzegovina, "Olympic Day 2023", was organized by the Olympic Committee of BIH in partnership with the Foundation: "Archaeological Park: Bosnian Pyramid of the Sun" in Visoko in Park Ravne II.

In the inspiring environment of the Ravne 2 Archaeological Park, over 150 schoolchildren from 6 elementary schools spent time with BIH Olympians practicing 9 sports: handball, football, basketball, volleyball, tennis, table tennis, taekwondo, shooting, and karate.

The event was opened by the vice-president of the NOC BIH academician Izet Rađo, together with the host Dr. Semir Osmanagić, as well as the French ambassador in BIH H.E. Christine Toudic, who announced the next Olympic Games "Paris 2024", stressing the importance of promoting the Olympic idea both in Bosnia and Herzegovina and around the world.

The vice president of the NOC BIH, academician Izet Rađo, said: "The celebration of Olympism is a manifestation that we especially look forward to every year. It is a day that celebrates the highest principles of sport - the Olympic values and everything that makes Olympism unique in the world of sports, but also in social communities on a local, regional, and global level. We are witnessing a beautiful sports day full of Olympic messages of friendship, respect, excellence, and fair play. I am sure that among today's participants of the Olympic Day celebration are our future Olympians. On behalf of the Olympic Family of Bosnia and Herzegovina, we wish that this day especially motivates them to discover their hidden talents through play, joy, learning, and discovering new activities, which they will develop in the spirit of Olympic values."

The Minister of the Federal Ministry of Culture and Sports, Sanja Vlaisavljević, and the Mayor of Visoko, Mirza Ganić, addressed as well. Minister Vlaisavljević emphasized that young people should look up to our Olympians and, in accordance with the Olympic Charter, follow the lofty principles of Olympism".

The event was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as other representatives of the state, cantonal and local authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

BIH Olympians Nedžad Husić, Elvedina Muzaferija, Emir Lokmić, Strahinja Erić, and Esma Alić symbolically opened the Olympic Day by running the honorary Olympic lap with elementary school students from Visoko.

"The Bosnian Pyramid of the Sun Archaeological Park Foundation accepted with pleasure the organization of the Olympic Day with the Olympic Committee of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Park Ravne 2 has become an archaeological-tourist-volunteer, cultural, and sports oasis of the Balkans. It is our wish to participate in similar events with the BIH Olympic Committee in the future," said Dr. Semir Osmanagić.

After two hours of fun discovering new sports and socializing with Olympians, all participants received a certificate from the International Olympic Committee.

During today's event, we promoted the "OCEAN" project, which deals with carbon neutrality and sustainability of sports, as well as the start of the #BEACTIVE campaign, which celebrates the European Week of Sports with the aim of promoting the improvement of physical activity.

ABOUT OLYMPIC DAY: 

Olympic Day was established in 1948 to commemorate the birth of the modern Olympic Games on June 23, 1894, at the Sorbonne in Paris, France. The aim of this event was to promote the idea of Olympianism and participation in sports throughout the world, regardless of age, gender, or physical fitness. In the 1978 edition of the Olympic Charter, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recommended for the first time that all NOCs organize a day for the promotion of the Olympic Movement: "It is recommended that NOCs organize regularly (if possible every year) an Olympic Day" intended to promote the Olympic Movement."

"Olympic Day" has become a global phenomenon. From the initial 45 Olympic committees in 1987, the number of participating Olympic committees has expanded to over 160. The goal of this event is actually the worldwide promotion of participation in sports, regardless of age, gender, or physical fitness.

This year, the IOC introduced a new global Olympic initiative "Let's Move" that encourages the world to move. Starting with this year's Olympic Day, the Olympic Movement wants us to create a global movement together to inspire people to find time for daily physical activity. The world is moving faster than ever, but people are moving less. Research has shown that over 80% of young people are unable to achieve the recommended level of daily activity for optimal mental and physical health. Together we can help change this. The goal is to make Olympic Day an annual day of a global movement by encouraging people to simply find time to move. The Olympic movement comes together to provide a wealth of inspiration to get active, from 30-minute workouts led by iconic athletes to people-led initiatives around the world. Join the movement and let's move!

OLYMPIC DAY is much more than a sporting event, it is a global day of activities when young generations celebrate the Olympic values - excellence, friendship, and respect. The basic pillars of "Olympic Day" are move, learn, discover, as well as a new pillar - together for a better world. Given the world we live in, Olympic Day is a great reminder that sports can unite us and make the world a much better place for all of us.