Nepal Olympic Committee

Opening of Week long Celebration of Olympic Day program

June 17, 2017 Saturday

NOC inaugurates Olympic Day celebrations

Nepal Olympic Committee (NOC) on Saturday inaugurated a week-long function to mark the Olympic Day 2017 on June 23. Every year, the Olympic Day is observed throughout the world with great fanfare to celebrate the start of the modern Olympics on June 23, 1894.
“Every year, the Olympic Day allows the whole world to unite behind the Olympic Dream,” wrote International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach.
NOC President Jeevan Ram Shrestha hoisted the flag of IOC with the anthem of IOC and NOC Secretary General Lama Tendi Sherpa hoisted the National flag with the anthem of Nepal. Presient Shrestha expressed his belief that various programs being held in the country in coordination with 25 different sports associations would help in promoting the core values of Olympics, which include excellence, respect and friendship.
The NOC president also said that the Olympic Day should be used as an opportunity to promote peace and friendship.
“Olympics is not just for sportsmen but it is also for establishing peace, development and friendship in the society,” said President Shrestha in his inauguration speech at All Nepal Lawn Tennis Association tennis court in Satdobato, Lalitpur.
According to Bishnu Gopal Shrestha, chairman of Sports for All Commission under the NOC, various programs like charity, competitions, cultural programs, doping tests, traffic awareness among others would be organized throughout the week.
“More than 5,000 participants including sportspersons and civil society members will be involved in the Olympic Day programs,” he added.
The main objective of the Olympic Day is to create awareness of the Olympic Movement and its values, according to NOC President Shrestha.
As per the schedule, tennis and basketball events will be held on the opening day on June 17 while golf competition will be held on June 18. Kabbadi and taekwondo events will be held on June 19. On the same day, judo players will assist in traffic management as part of the Olympic Day celebration. Pentathlon will be held on June 20 while boxing, Kurash, shooting and archery tournaments will be held on June 21.
Likewise, sambo, fencing, swimming, squash, chess and Sepak takraw competitions will be held on June 22.
Everest School will organize an oratory competition and Triyog School will host a football event on June 22.
The Olympic Day celebrations will conclude on June 23.
Nepal became a member of IOC in 1963 and has been observing the Olympic Day every year since then.