Olympic Day – Did You Know?
June 23rd is Olympic Day! We will post new fun facts below, all day long. Keep checking back for the newest “Did You Know?” about Olympic Day!
Did you know that the Olympic Rings, the official emblem of the Olympic Games, were designed in 1913 and adopted in 1914? The five interlocking rings represent the five continents of the world that compete in the Olympic Games. At least one of the five colours is featured on all national flags.
Did you know that Olympic Day celebrations around the world have included: runs, concerts, exhibitions, meetings for children and young people with top athletes? In addition, new websites are developed to direct people to these various programs in their neighbourhood.
Did you know that over 100 000 people follow The Olympic Games on Twitter? http://twitter.com/Olympics
Did you know that over two million people “Like” The Olympic Games on Facebook?
Did you know that that IOC’s home base of Switzerland has hosted the Olympic Games twice, including 1948 – the year Olympic Day was created?
Did you know that the IOC is based in Lausanne, Switzerland?
Did you know that the first Olympic Games were held in 1896 in Athens, Greece – just two years after the founding of the IOC?
Did you know that there are 205 National Olympic Committees in the world? Plus, most of them are celebrating Olympic Day this year!
Did you know that James Worrall, 1936 Olympian in Athletics turns 97 this Olympic Day? He is an Honourary IOC Member and Canada’s oldest living Olympian, and was the flag bearer for the Canadian Team at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin. Here he is: www.olympic.ca/en/about/governance/coc-board-directors/member/james-worrall/
Did you know that the first Olympic Day was celebrated June 23rd 1948, and Canada was one of nine National Olympic Committees hosting ceremonies in their individual countries. That is more than 60 years of celebrating Olympic Day in Canada!
Did you know that Olympic Day is celebrated June 23rd of every year to commemorate the founding of the International Olympic Committee on June 23rd, 1894 at the Sorbonne in Paris?
